The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-12-10

anu 80 persons, lncluuing an lnfant -FOUR
months old; the size of the boat % feet
long by ~ broad; in each of the others
ten individuals, including the officer in
charge. One of the boats had some bags
of biscuit, but the chief provision was in
the long boat. We were, by rough calcu-
lation about 1000 miles from Rodrigue
and $50 from Diego Garcias, the largest
of the Chagos islands: but TO get there
we must pass through the squally lati-
tudes we had just left, and be subject
10 variable winds and heavy weather or
Gains. neither of which we were pre-
pared to resist, Seeing, then, that our
stock of food was sufficient, we deter
mined on trying for Rodrigue. and. hav-
ing humbly committed ourselves 10 the
guidance of that Providence in whom
alone we had hope, we accomplished rig
ging the boats and got under sail. On
the third day of our boat navigation the
weather began 20 threaten change,
but as we were in the trade we did not
apprehend foul or contrary winds. In
the course Of the night II blew fresh
with rain; we were totally without
shelter, and the sea dashinS its spray
over US drenched us ard spoiled some
Of our biscuit The weather grew WORSE,
and ops o; qur small boats, IL which
~efe Mr.. Simpson, the second mate,
With nine ethe5, Vas split by the sea
She came alongside and we put the car.
penter into her, who made what repair
he could. but with little hope that they
would answer. We then proceeded TO
fasten q sprayeloth Of canvas along our
weather gunvale, having dashed bam-
boo four feet up the mast and fixed IL on
the intersection OF two stancheons, at
the same height above the stern; the
sprayeloth was firmly dashed along 50
as TO form 3 kind Of penthouse roof.
Toward evening Il blew hard. and. not
thinking the other damaged boat safe,
we took In the crew and abandoned her.
We were now Sc persons, slowed as
thick as we could be, and obliged 10
throw over sll superauities. ard we
had not more than eight inches Of clear
gunwale out OF the water. Wet, gloomy
and miserable, the night passed away;
at last the day broke, and though the
weather was still very bad. again
felt hope. which had never entirely for
saken me. that we would still weather
the storm. During the last night the
sea had broken right over US more than
once; one sea came roaring down. and
while I held my breath with horror 1t
broke right over our stern, wet the poor
ladies TO their threats and carried
away the steersman's hat. The captain
then cried out in a tone calculated 10
inspire US with confidence: That's
nothing; it's all right; bale away. my
boys!" He never expected us to live
out the night, but harassed as he was
both in mind and body he CALAMITY /
stood up, and never, by word or deed,
betrayed feeling that might tend to
sink our hopes. lie stood on the bench
that livelong night, nor did he ever at
tempt to sleep for nearly As hours.
Later the weather began to0 oderate. !
and we enjoyed a comparative degree of
comfort. We had three small meals of
biscuit and some little jam. etc, and
three half pints of water per day, with |
brandy II we liked it. The men had one /
gill of spirits allowed them daily. Thus
we had enough fV necessity, and in
cline to attribute to our having no more |
the good state of bodily health we en-
joyed. The ladies were most deserving |
compassion and praise, and never ut
tered one single word like repining or
On the eleventh evening we began to |
look out for Rodrigue; the captain told |
us not to be too sanguine, as his compass
was not to be depended on after the
rough treatment it had met with. The
night fell, and I went forward to sleep.
About dawn I was awakened by the cry
that land was ahead. looked and saw
through the mist. An instant
after informed the captain that could
see no land every person in that boat
was awake. Every eye was strained in
the direction the captain indicated.
Some thought they could see land:
others had their visions blurred by
phantom ships, and finally the tears
from their overexerted eyes shut out
their vision to such an extent that their
ceased to act.
Where is it?" What is it?" 81 can't
see anything" and dozens of similar
questions were asked in as many Sec
onds.
Daylight was now asserting itself
Little more, and the captain had the boat
brought to, and she drifted about for
an hour. Rodrigue appeared right
ahead, distant about six miles, and by.
eight o'clock we were all safely landed.
A fisherman who came off to show US
The way through the reefs received US
in his house and proceeded to feed us,
and, in the meantime, sent to tell the
people of the island of our arrival. Two
of them came down Immediately. and,
having heard our story, said that we had
been most miraculously preserved.
Every arrangement was made for our
stay at Rodrigue we were treated with
such invariable kindness and attention
as demands from us the fullest express
sion of our gratitude toward those to
whom we are under so many obliga-
tions, without forgetting our para
mount obligations to that Power by
whom we were preserved through all
the dangers that had surrounded u.s.
n. Y. Ledger.
Feed the Fowls Slowly.