Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-11-03

most cheerful man in the ship The old
captain watched everyone carefully and
worked his ship with such men as were
able for duty, neglectnC nothing
one after another was taken down,
while the convalescent ones helped as they
could. Nomore died. but all had the fever,
except the colored man. He alone of the
crew escaped. On the seventeenth day
out from port. the captain quietly called
the young first mate, and said TO him, MIR
Brown ] have the fever. ] have had IL
twice before and escaped. This time it
will kill me. My advanced years and the
fatigues that ] have undergone predispose
me to the attack. You will take charge of
the ship. carry her to Boston, and report
to the owners The young man was at
first stunned. but. recovering with the
elasticity OF youth and al once accepting
the grave cares thus suddenly thrust upon
him. he assisted the old man below, adj
ministered the usual treatment, and saw
his patient carefully disposed. Calling the
cook to stay boy the captain, he went on
deck to take "a survey OF the situation and
decide what to do.
Night was coming on. To wiudward,
close aboard. was Crooked Island. ahead
and to ieeward We're Long Island, Rum
Cay, and Watling's Island. The region
was one of rapid and uncertain currents,
strong breezes. and many shipwrecks.
Under the most favorable circumstances,
with a full crew and a strong and able ship,
the coming night must bee an anxious one.
MI Brown was young but valiant, and he
had been trained, under stern masters. in
school where no duty was ever evaded.
He mustered his diminished forces the
o 81. H..IH
of the sickness of the captain. and of the
dangers with which they were surrounded.
sail must be- carried in order to- weather
the leeward dangers. After gaining the
open sea. the immediate anxiety would bc
relieved but for the present sail must be
borne by the ship at all hazards So every
thing was tautened as well as possible, the
yards were braced sharp up Oh the star
board tack, and rounding the north end of
Crooked Island, the man at the wheel
steered close To the wind, while the officers
took their watches 10y the side of the now
delirious captain.
II was q trying and anxious time The
trades blew fresh with fierce squalls a.
der the lee were dangerous reef, and
islands. The current was strong and of
unknown force. running directly towards
the dangers Below. the captain IN the
/ delirium of the pestilence. Above. a half
manned ship. pressed 10 her utmost capaC-
ity by treacherous wind. In command
/ of the whole, youngster, eighteen years
/ Old The hours dragged their SLOW length,
along, the oppresslveuess of the scene
varied by the shrlekiug of the wind and the
moaning of the sufferer
Morning came q, last with its welcome
light breaking over the stormy sea. Far
down OIL the le, quarter was Waiting 5
Island
Although swept far TO leeward toy tn,
current. the gallant little bark mad done
what was expected of her, and wa,
well TO windward OF al dangers A few
more hours of CARRYING sal. and q clear
sea would relieve the anxiety somewhat
The sick captain remained tho same
In the afternoon the light sails were turied
two reefs taken in the topsails. and the
. courses hauled up, thus making the ship
much easier. Stretching slowly 10 the
northward the second night passed
On the morning of the third day the
captain regained CONSCIOUSNESS In d
weak voice he asked for the picture OF his
wife. kissed it. and shed few tear, over
II. He sent messages to her and 10 his
children, and struggled against the fatal
/ dellTlum that was advancing To resume ITS
sway over him. A. last he was seized
with the conyulsive breathing tina, is the
premonition OF the 'vOmito.
At this time the young first officer wa,
with him watching Intently for the last
sad change As he saw his houOred com
mander struggling with the hccoughs and
for breath. the thought came 10 him. ">ul-
pose ] We're in his place, what should
want 10 relieve me'''
Looking around, be saw upon the table
a bowl of Cruel Hastily calling for lines
he squeezed the Juice of a number into IN,
cruel, and. raising the head of the captain
upon his arm. he fed 10 HIM spoonful after
spoonful of the bitter mess. The ettec
seemed magical. The CONFUSION, ceased.
the restless form became quiet. the tor
turel head sank upon the pillow, and the
patient fell into q gentle slumber. Al hrs
the WORKOUT watchers thought this wa
death but a. hour after hour passed, ans
the parched skin grew moist hope awab
ened, and when the Old man awoke the
crisis was over and his lie was saved j
was more than two weeks before he wa
able to crawl on deck and bask In the sun
shine. but al that time the little Leopard
was half way across the western ocean
and the whole crew was convalescent
- l.