The times., 1898-07-31

scenes of the steamer Arctic had made
deep impression upon Herndons mind
they now crowded into resemblance.
Which of his crew should he select TO
man the boats? Would they desert him
when they got off from the ship in the
boats? There were some who knew he
would not. 1t was not an occasion when
volunteers might be called for; for il
was the post of safety. not of danger.
but nevertheless of great trust, that must
be filed. The captain wanted trusty
men, and there was still q man wanting
for Blacks (the boatswain's) boat.
sailor, perceiving the captains dilemma,
stepped UP and modestly offered TO go.
He had not, it may be supposed, been
long in the ship. for HernGon evidently
did not know him WE'LL and he replied.
in his mild and gentle way, II wonder if
] can trust you?'
The sailor instinctiyely understood this
call for ''shibboleth." and simply said
Il have hands that are hard to row. and
a heart that is soft TO feel This was
enough. He went and was true; not a
boat deserted that ship. All the women
and children were first sent 10 the brig,
and every one arrived in safety. Each
boat made two loads TO the rescuing
ship. carrying in all 100 persons.
In hurrying TO leave the sinking
steamer. Mrs Small Zone of the lady pas
sengers) became separated from her six
weeks'-old baby. The captain took the
little thing into his own arms and hushed
its cries till the boat returned. when he
sent the infant TO its mother with
tender message TO soothe her anxiety.
BY this time night was setting in. The
brig had drifted 10 leeward several miles
away from the steamer. and so
crippled that she could not beat up to her
again.
The boatswains boat alone returned the
second time. Her gallal. crew had been
bufeting with the storm f1r two days
and nights without rest ard with little or
no food. The boat itself had been badly
stove while alongside with the last i.ai
of passengers. Still these brave seamen,
inspired by the noble conduct. and true to
the trust reposed in them by their cap
tain, did not hesitate to leave the brig
again and pull back through the dark for
miles, across an angry sea. that they
might join him in his sinking ship and
take their shances with him. This was
4 conduct the most loyal, brave and true.
! The names of these brave men have not
/ been preserved.
| During the lowering of the boats and
! the embarkation Of the women and chill
/ dren there was as much discipline pre-
/ served among the crew of that ship and
| as much order observed among the pas
sengars as was ever witnessed on board
| the best regulated man-of-war. The law
requires every commander in the navy to
show. in himself, a good example of vir-
tue and patriotism; and never was exam
pie more nobly set forth or more beauti-
fully followed. Capt Herndon by those
striking traits which have so endeared
his memory to the hearts of his country
men, had won the respect and admiration
of the crew and passengers of that ship
IN such degree as TO acquire an infiu-
ence over them that was marvellous in its
effects. The women felt its force Calm
and resolute themselves they encourage
and cheered the men at the pumps and
in the gangways, and finally, to Hern-
don's last appeal for one more effort. they
rose superior TO their sex and offered
with fair hands and feeble arms TO do
mans work in battling with the tempest
As one of the last boats was about to
leave the ship Herndon gave his watch 20
a passenger with the request that II
might be delivered to his wife He de-
sired to send her message also but his
/ utterance was choked. ''WelI, tell her
Unable to proceed. he bent down his head
: and buried his face in his hands for a
] moment, as if in prayer, for he was AIDE
. vout man and Christian.
: In that moment brief as it was, he had
: endured the great agony; but it was over
now. His crowning thoughts, no doubt,
: had been of his beloved wife and lovely
) daughter (who afterwards became the
, wife of Chester A. Arthur President OF
! the United States), dependent upon him
| for their support. But God and mis- coun-
: try must care for them now. He had re-
] solved TO go down with his ship.
} Calm and collected he rose up from that
short but mighty struggle with renewed
vigor. and went with encouraging words
, and looks about the duties Of his ship as
before. He ordered the hurricane deck to
!. be cut away and RATS TO be made He
: distributed his life preservers to all who
would wear them. Night was upon them
and he directed Frazier, the second Off
Ger, TO send up rocket every half hour.
Van Rensselaer,, his first officer. was
also by him. Side by side they stood at
their post and perished with their har-
ness on.
After the last boat had showed off tht
captain went 10 his state room and pu
on his uniform. The gold band around his
cap was concealed by the oilskin cover