Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-11-07
A ShipWrecked Crew.
EY GEORGE II. COOMER.

l
"Geography"' exclaimed the mas.
ter. 1T is really a pleasure TO hear
the little fellow recite it. He fairly
devours it. ! think he would be able
to floor the committee in that branch
Of study
The new master was a grave, elder
ly man, who. whenever met him,
seemed to take pleasure in talking to
ne, though our acquaintance had been
only for Il week or two.
But now Arthur, the English hoy,
cathing sight Of my calico shirt and
blue Jacket, came eagerly to the spot
where we stood; and then, for the first
time, the teacher knew that his young
pupil and myself were fast friends.
You must tell me the story. from
first to last, he said, after listening
TO the greeting between Arthur and
me, in which he had dropped some
remarks that aroused his curiosity.
Il must hear it, for feel great in
terest in both of YOU
We scanted ourselves on the school
house steps-ihe master, Arthur and l..
But how difficult it seemed to realize
the past and feel that this hapy school
boy had ever looked upon terrors so
dreadful as those amid which had
once seen him, tar ont upon the great
deep.
How his bright eyes sparkled or
moistened, as | related the circum-
stances which had, year before,
brought us acquainted. and which |
will repeat in substance for the read
er:
had sailed in the ship Altai,
bound for Maranham, in Brazil, and
on the equator we were becalmed for
23 DAYS
There was from the first, sail in
sight. which after time was brought
quite near us by those momentary
puiis Of air which will occasionally
ripple the water in such calm; and
We at length found her 10 be the
whaling brig Catherwooi, Of London,
Capt Dore.
Her officers were several times on
board OF us, while the vessels laisily
driited within Il half mile of each
other, and tt seems very pleasant to
meet such neighborly people upon the
ocean. They laughed, however, when
we complained OF the tediousness of
our passage, which had up to that
time occupied five or six weeks, and
said they had not seen land for seven
months
1t was then that | first saw young
Arthur, whom | found to be the cap
tains's son. Mrs Dore, the lads
mother was also making the voyage !;
and coming on board with the others
fairly charmed our crew with her
sweet face and manner
Seven months out from port, the
captains wife and son were hungry
for books and papers, and we were
happy in being able 10 supply them,
in exchange for the well-thumbed
reading matter which the brought us
from their brig.
Capt. Dore told us that rs soon as
the calm should he over, he would 90
northwardly, toward the West Indies,
to give everybody good run ashore !;
but that he did not wish to enter
Maranham, near WEIGH we then were,
as vessel he had spoken had report
ed the yellow fever there, and he fear
ed for his wife and boy.
When the wind again sprang up,
we stood for the Brazilian coast, while
the Catherwood bore away to the
north, carrying away with her more
domestic happiness than had ever
before associated with the idea of a
whaler.
Arthur waved his handkerchief to
us from the main top, and then DINNER
aud DINNER grew the white sails of the
English brig, till even her main royal
disappeared-a demonstration, ii any
were needed. that The world is a mere
ball.
We lay at Maranhan for number
of weeks, then started on the return
passage. Once more at sea | speculated
on the chances of again falling in will
the Caiherwood but the old proverl
of "a needle in haystack,' NATURAL,
recurred to me, as felt how improb
able it was that We would meet with
In the meantime, | had been mucl
interested in tie whaler's books. anc
wondered how Mrs. Dore and her bo,
liked those which they had obtained