Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-06-28

With our little force to work the pumps
we could no more than partially re-
lieve the ship, and could effect moth
ing in curing the trouble, which was,
in word, past our mending. We
returned at once to Mr.. lynn, and the
captain, bravely and coolly, as it
seemed to me. reported the thing as it
stood. The supercargo looked gr<Eve,
but not dismayed, and said that since
such was the situation he presumed we
must forthwith set about constructing
raft.
AYE" answered the captain, briefly.
Follow me and we will at it,"
We did not stop to try the we'll, know
ing nearly enough what it would show,
but proceeded with all haste to pre-
pare our material and put it together,
being assured that we had no time to
lose. Some spare spars were first laid
down as a frame for the structure,
other and lighter spars were placed
across and firmly dashed. and the
spaces between were filed in with
such material-small planks and the
hke-as were ready to be come at.
Over all we placed the two cabin doors
and the main part of the boards that
had formed the bulkhead forward of
the 'tween-decks. Empty breakers, or
water casks, were then dashed along
all sides to act as bulwarks, and the
structure was finished. We launched
her without much trouble, the sea run
ming light and there being only small
wi, II
tackle we brought her under the quar-
ter, and with great haste-for now the
ship went heavily and showed how
nearly she was waterlogged-we fitted
her out.
"She is beginning to SETTLE" said /,
just as we got the last things put over.
Yes" answered Capt. Sellinger;
but she may not go down for little
time, for all that"
He seemed loath to quit his good
ship, and l could not wonder; but yet
there was little room in the business
for sentiment. We finally cast off, and
put over our oar and sculled off a
matter of 100 yards or so, where we
hung for a little space, at the cap
tain's desire, to watch the end of the
poor craft. We had hardly any time to
wait. OF sudden she seemed to give a
great jar, steadied, and almost stood
still, and then, with fling upward of
her stern, plunged down, and in almost
an instant wallowed from sight The
broken waves swung in, riding in rings
above her vanished masts, and the
space she had occupied was open sea
like the rest.
Till the Industry had thus come to
her end we could not fetch our minds
to other concerns, but now the cap
tain gave a sigh, which seemed to
break the spell, and we stirred in our
places and presently fell to talking
The longboat was still lifting and fall
ing on the swells to the south Of us,
of the light breeze, but yet already a
considerable distance off, and slowly
gaining. For ourselves, we had hoist
ed no canvas, and were making no eff
fort to come upon any course, and
were therefore merely slipping gently
to leeward.
pray, where do you prick us down
on the chart?" inquired Mr.. lynn of
the captain, after we had speculat a.
little upon the weather and the pres
ent mild wind.
Coming at it as near as may be-"
answered Capt. Sellinger, 1--WE should
be in 80 of north latitude, and in longi-
tude may be 60. That would fetch us
somewhat above 100 miles east of the
Bermudas, and near to 500 miles from
our port"
Il had thought a bit farther north
and east" returned the supercargo,
but doubtless l am astray as to your
last observation. Then, such being the
figures, what say you we should de-
duce from them-in other words, how
shall we lay our course?"
Well he said, with a bitter look
into the south, had we yonder boat L
could fetch you straight answer, but
what navigator shall lay you the
course of raft? 1t will be as the
wind says. AS it holds now, we might
strive to make the Bermudas; but by
the looks of the sky and the smell of
the air there should presently be
change, and it is odds that it fetches
then from the north"
by which it seems" said the super
cargo rather gravely, that we are in
a worse case than / had conceived, and
can do little save wait and trust in
God. had thought" he added more in
his usual manner, that this was the
trade wind, which we count to be in a
manner steadfast."
AYE, and so it is" answered the
captain, 'only not at present con-
firmed and with staying weight in it.
But since it is better to do some thing
than nothing and no harm can come
by it, we will set the sail. Master Ar.
dick. pluck the mast from among the
rattle yonder, fetch that large piece Of
canvas, and let us see what this craft
will do under cloths"
1t came like bit of cheer to have
this rational thing to do, after such.
solemn go-round, and made haste to
overhaul the spar and canvas and fetch
them aft. Here was the clearest space.
and I spread the articles out, and the