Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1893-03-03
Cheers for the Captains wife.

Cheers for the Captains Wife.
A veteran sailor, Captain EastwicE.
declares that of all the women with
whom he was ever at sea, he never
met more than one who could refrain
from asking questions in moments of
extreme peril and urgency. That one
was his wife. and elsewhere in his
autobiography he pays another trib-
ute to her courageous disposition. lie
had just ridden out gale with much
difficulty in the Indian Ocean. when
he was sighted by two Dutch briggs OF
war, which Immediately gave chase.
He ordered all sail spread. bu! his
ship was insutficicntly manned and
much precious time was lost.
1t was morning. and my wife had
come on deck, and stood with my
glass i'm hand looking at the two brigs,
while / had myself taken the wheel,
SD as to spare every man for the
urgent work aluft. Every minute
glanced back over my shoulder to see
the position of the enemy. lhcN
had every stitch of canvas spread.
and were sailing three feet for our
two.
A great ceiling of dcsponacncs
came over me as | saw this AMI
thought of my young wife standing
there i'm front of me. and of the fate
that might be in store for her. Aud
then, to increase the danger, the
brigs opened fire, and a shot came
skipping after us, but fell short.
In few minutes moro they fired
again. and now it WAS evident that
We should soon be in range, and i
called to my wife to go below. But
She refused to do so. Another shot
came closer to us than any previous
one, and shouted to my crew up
aloft to redoublc their eNcrtions: but
they, unable to cope with the work
in hand, answered that they wanted
help.
There was only myself left who
/ could aid them. and dared not leave
the wheel. We We're sailing c,osc to
the wind, and any deviation from
our course might throw all sails
aback, and he our ruin.
My wife perceived my extremity.
During the voyage she had three or
| four times, by way OF amusement,
taken Il short trick at the wheel.
This gave her confidence for the occa-
sion. and without !, moments hesita-
tion she IAN To my side.
"Givc HE the wheel, Robert" she
cried. and you so help. / will do
my best To keep her head up"
Il
and indeed her assistance came like
aid from heaven. With a blessing
for her pluck handed the helm over
to her, and darted up the shrouds
AS Sncn DIS the crew saw what had
occurred. the noble example seemed
to animate them with new vigor and
when l joined them. and was able to
assist as we'll as direct. we managed
tn complete the bending on the fore
sail.
The shots from the Dutchmen were
coming fast and thick now, but hope
was in our hearts. Sail by sail we
got a splendid spread of canvas on
the Endcayor. and as each fresh one
began to draw. we first held our own.
and then gradually left cur enemy
behind: and when, after an hours
work. 1 returned to deck, we were
| practically out Of danger.
Then one of the men took off his
cap and called for three cheers for
the Captains wife, and never,
think. did any lady ut sea receive
such compliment as burst from the
tlroats of those rough men, whose
best instincts had been appealed to
by the brave deed they thus spon-
taneously app.auded.