St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-11-16


The colored cook was invaluable
How and when he slept no one knew
With his short pipe in his mouth h
seemed to be always ready to help
and was the most cheerful man II
the ship. The old man watched
everyone carefully, and worked hi.
ship with such men as were able TO,
duty, neglecting nothing.
One after another was taken down
while the convalescent one helped a.
they could. No more 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,
mr.. Brown, have the fever.
have had it twice before, and es.
capped. This time it will kill me,
My advanced years and the fatigues
that have neutrality-suspicious. 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 recov-
erlng with the elasticity of youth,
and at once accepting the grave
cares thus suddenly thrust upon him,
he assisted the old man below, ad.
ministered the usual treatment, and
saw his patient carefully disposed.
Calling the cook to stay by the cap
tain, he went on deck to take a sur.
vey OF the situation and decide what
to do.
Night was coming on. To wind.
ward, close aboard, was Crooked
Island, ahead and to leeward were
Long Island, Rum Cay, and Wat.
ling's Island. The region was one
of rapid and uncertain currents,
strong breezes, and many ship
wrecks. Under the most favorable
circumstances, with a full crew and
a strong and able ship, the coming
night must be an anxious one.
Mr.. Brown was young but valiant,
and he had been trained, under stern
masters, in a school where no duty
was ever evaded. He mustered
his diminished forces, the second
mate and three men. He told them
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 dan
gers. After gaining the open sea, the
immediate anxiety would be relieved,
but for the present sail must be
borne by the ship at all hazards. So
everything was tauted as well as
possible, the yards were braced
sharp up on the starboard 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 by the side of the
now delirious captain.
1t was trying and anxious time
The trade winds blew fresh with
fierce squalls. Under the lee were
dangerous reefs 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
half-manned ship, pressed to her ut
most capacity by a treacherou:
wind. In command of the whole a
youngster, eighteen years old. The
hours dragged their slow lengths
along, the oppressiveness of the
scene varied by the shrieking of the
wind and the moaning Of the suf
ferer.
Morning came at last with it:
welcome light breaking over the
stormy sea. Far down on the lee
quarter was Watling's Island.
Although swept far to leeward by
the current, the gallant little bark
had done what was expected Of her
and was we'll to windward of al
dangers. A few more hours OF carry
sail, and a clear sea would relieve
the anxiety somewhat.
The sick captain remained thu
same. In the afternoon the light
sails were furled, two reefs taken il
the topsails, and the courses haulee
up, thus making the ship much easier
Stretching slowly to the northwarc
the second night passed.
On the morning of the third day
the captain regained consciousness
In weak voice he asked for the pic
ture of his wife, kissed it, and shet
a few tears over it. He sent mes
sages to her and to his children, ant
struggled against the fatal deliriuu
that was advancing to resume it,
sway over him. At last he wa:
seized with the convulsive breathing
that is the premonition of TIT
"vomit."
At this time the young first office
was with him watching intently fo1
the last sad change. AS he saw hi
honored commander struggling will
the hiccoughs and for breath, tn
thought came to him, Suppose
were in his place, what should
want to relieve me ?"
Looking around he saw upon tn
table a bowl of cruel. Hastily call
ing for lines, he squeezed the juic
of a number into the Cruel, and rails
ing the head of the captain upon hi
n.,,, he fed him snnonful after spoon