Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-08-20

many times just soon enough to keep
from drowning.
"At last reached the hatch, grasped
protruding spike, and rested awhile
before had strength enough to raise
myself upon the half submerged raft.
There was bit of rope trailing in the
water, with which I lashed myself fast
to the hatch to keep from being washed
off into the sea.
II think I must have slept for time
in spite of the cold. At any rate, re-
member that the sea became suddenly
much calmer, the wind having died
away to simple breeze. As might came
on feeling Of indescribable loneliness
took possession of me, which was in
tensified when I saw that the albatrosses
had sighted me.
IA man who clings to spar in the
waters about Cape Horn has more to
fear from the giant birds of the air than
from the monsters of the deep.
"The night was very long one
When I was not doing, was looking
out over the waves in search of ves-
sells lights. None came into view and
the day broke cold and cheerless. When
the sun came up, thought deserted
land off to the northwest. 1t was only
faint line, and was not sure whether
it was land or bank of clouds. I
prayed that it might be land, and I felt
more cheerful when saw that cur
rent was carrying me to the northward.
l was very hungry ana l knew that if I
did not reach land or was not picked up
I would be at liberty to choose death
from either starvation or drowning
didn't count on another danger, which
turned out to be greater even than the
others-the birds.
"Soon after sunrise ! saw number
of great albatrosses sailing through the
air far overhead. One by one they came
lower, and / watched them with intense
admiration. Not once did I see an al
batross flap wing. They rose high in
to the air and swooped down low, turn
ing their immense wings from side to
side to direct their course, but never
appearing to use the slightest exertion.
They were like ships Of the air, using
their wings as sails, and with perfect
knowledge Of tacking, jibing and the
like. They went to windward and be-
fore the wind with equal facility.
"In my admiration for the great crea-
lures lost sight of the fact, even if /
had realized it, that they were more
serious source of danger than the waves.
Nearer and nearer they came, and I
could see their cold. staring eyes regard
ing me with something in their express
sion that made me shiver. Even then l
did not appreciate my danger. One Of
them swirled past me so close that l
was famed by the air he had disturbed.
It was not until another had made a
vicious jab at me with his beak as he
swooped by that began to understand
the horrors of my position. I had no
weapon but jackknife, which opened
and with which prepared to defend
myself. ! had been lying down all this
time, but now sat up and made ready
for the attack that felt sure would
come. 1t was not long delayed.
First one albatross and then another
few at me, picking at my eyes and face.
I slashed right and left with my knife,
screaming the while, in the hope Of
soaring the vicious things away. must
have wounded several, but they came
at me again and again. each time more
savagely. Occasionally, in spite Of all
that could do. one would fasten his
5eak into my flesh and tear a piece
away. My face became friRhtfully lacer-
ated. and was soon covered with blood
that flowed from my wounds.
~ was on the verge Of fainting,
when I heard shout close at hand.
Turning, I saw boat approaching,
manned by a crew of rough looking
natives. I had been 80 absorbed in my
fight with the birds that had not OBJ
served how close to land had drifted
and that boat was coming to my res
cue. Twas taken on board and was glad
to see that the birds had given up their
fight. They made few wide circles
around the boat and then sailed away
| to the westward.
"The natives spoke q Spanish dia-
lect which could only slightly under
stand, but from it I gathered that they
were TERRA del Fuegans and that I was
being taken ashore. did not like their
looks and was almost inclined to think
that it would have been better to have
let myself drown. I was now very weak
and i'll, and when we landed they had
to carry me ashore was taken to a
hut, where my wounds were dressed by
an old woman, who was not at all a
bad surgeon, and, after having eaten a
little, was laid upon mattress, where
I slept soundly for several hours.
IAN attack of fever followed, and it
was nearly month before I was able
to walk. I must have been we'll nursed,
for there were no medicines there. I
had a little money in my belt, all Of
which I gave to my rescuers, making
them understand, however, that want
ed them to take me to sea every day in
a boat until / could hail ship. They
did so, and in week I had caught a
vessel bound for Sydney. Whatever CON
be said of the TERRA del Fuegans by
other unfortunate travellers, must ad-
/ - ~. L. %ol