The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-12

Some people IN such q calamity run
around wildly looking for toothbrush
or an umbrella Others try TO ges
something TO cat Others think of their
wives, but their natural instinct is TO
,hink of themselves. Surely these pas
sengers almost without exception be-
hared like born ladies and gentlemen.
To sit in lifeboat that is tied up on
the flank OF a wrecked ship which may
go to the bottom at any moment and
know that the chances are ten to one
that your boat will not live five minutes
when she is launched is not pleasant
method Of passing the time.
/ sat in one for half an hour BY order
of the officer, and then cot out and
stood on the deck.
Finally boat was sent out by Cap
tain Hoyt, under First Officer Smith, In
search OF an opening in the reef. but
after two hours hard work il returned
unsuccessful.
The steward got Us some hot coffee
and fine hot steak apiece. which we
ate with our fingers Oh deck and in our
life preserveTs
On board were some first class fell
lows. Among them were Mr.. Jacques
and DR.. Axtelle of Waterbury. l called
them while we Were up late one night
the first and second Waterbury watch
I've been wrecked with them now over
a week, and like them better as time
goes on. We wear each others clothes
and use each others cherry pectoral
with IMMUNITY. Give me wreck, and
Will give you my estimate OF those who
60 through it.
With the approach Of day Mr. Van
Wrinkle of Newark, n J., from the
bridge saw with his glas schooner
of 90 tons Though took her TO be
about 62R tons) several miles away
and lacking, it seemed, to get TO US In
answer to our gun and rockets. For
awhile feared that she might be one
of the ships that pass in the night, and
l said SO TO deaf man with tin ear,
but he rebuked me for being gay in the
presence of death. Now, Will the reader
please tell me what death has ever done
for me that l should show him any at
tentions In the matter of etiquette?
Soon another sail hove in sight, and
with the approach of good daylight 80
or 40 craft, manned by blacks, mostly
sponge fishers, etc, appeared to the east
ward. They managed with their light
boats and perfect knowledge of the shore
and their wonderful skill to cross the
reef, and before long the captain Of the
Good Will, the 90 ton schooner, had ar
ranged with Captain Hoyt TO take US
and our ruined baggage to Harbor is
land.
Space does not permit me 20 complete
in this letter the record of the voyage
or a description of the Bahamas, but
next week, when my clothes are dried
out and the shock of our disaster for
gotten, / hope to rise with that elastic
ity peculiar TO the phenix bird, which
is said to resist even the action of acids
and remain unscathed even when broiled
ON toast.
\ serious question arises in regard to
the cause of this wreck, but l leave IL
TO investigation hereafter. We know
that after it occurred the officers and
CISW were brave. hluu anu tHOuSNtlUl.
We were 80 miles off our course and
should not have been there. 4 steam
ship is made TO run on water, not on
land. The moment you try to ride
around over bare ground in a steamer
you get yourself in trouble.
These reefs are made by the coral in
sect. and it takes him quite awhile TO
make an island like New Providence.
Then it isn't of much account after he
has made it.
But isn't it strange that this danger
Gus string Of reefy islands was all made
by such little, disagreeable worm:
| knew, even as child, that the At
lantic ocean here was irritable and rest
less, but | Gid not know before that it
was caused entirely by worms.
] Will write another piece about this
country next week, so no more at pres
ent from your old friend,