Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-07-14

alone we had hope, we accomplished rig
ging the boats, and got unsler sail. On
the third day of our boat nay CATION the
weather .began To threaten a change,
but as We. were in the trade we,did not
apprehend foul or contrary winds. In
the course of the night it blew fresh
with rain; we were totally without
shelter, and the sea dashing its spray
over us drenched us and spoiled some
of our biscuit. The weather grew worse,
and one of our small boats, in which
were Mr.. Simpson, the second mate,
with nine others, was split by the sea.
She came alongside, and we put the car
penter into her, who made what repairs
he could, but with little hope that they
would answer. We then proceeded to
fasten a spravcloth of canvas along our
weather gunwale, having lashed bam-
boo four feet up the mast and fixed Il on
the intersection of two stancheons, at
the same Height above the stern; the
spraycloth was firmly lashed along so
as to form a kind of penthouse roof.
Toward evening it blew hard, and, not
thinking the other damaged boat safe,
We were now 80 persons, slowed as
thick as we could be, and obliged 10
throw over oil superfiuities, md we
had not more than eight inches of clear
Cunwale out of the water. Wet, gloomy
and miserable, the tight 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 thnn
once; one sea, came roaring down, and
while held my breath with horror 1t
broke right over our stern, wet the poor
ladies 70 their throets and carried
awayfthe steersman's hat The captain
then cried out In tone calculated 70
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 gallantly
stood up, and never, by word or deed,
betrayed feeling that might tend 10
sink our hopes. He stood on the bench
that nvelong night, nor did he ever at
tempt to sleep for nearly 4S hours.
Later the weather began 20 moderate,
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 if we liked 1t. The men had one
gill of spirits allowed them daily. Thus
we had enough for necessity, and in
cline to attribute to our having no more
the good state Of bodily health we en-
joyed. The ladies We're most deserving
mpassion and praise, and never ut
tered one single word like repining or
complaint.
On the eleventh evening we began 10
look out for Rodrigue; the captain told
usnotto be too sanguine, as his compass
was not to be depended on after the
rough treatment it had met with. The
night fell, and went forward to sleep.
About dawn I was awakened by the cry
that land was ahead. looked and saw
nothing through the mist An instant
after informed the captain that l 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
Imagination ceased TO act.
Where Is it?" What is it?" II can't
see anything" and dozens Of similar
questions were asked in as many sec
onds,
Daylight was now asserting itself a
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.
4 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 lniraculously preserved.
Every arrangement was made for our