Evening journal., 1901-07-15
Around the Horn in "p52.

Well-known to the Wayfarer, as well
as TO many other Delawareans, was
Joshua Talbert, who died several years
ago in the little town Of Frederica. He
was born on the Isle of Malta about
seventy years ago and was raised on the
sea. His many singular adventures on
the briny deep would illl a large vol
ume with interesting reading matter
His ways were those of a true British
salt, and after a rough life spent on
sailing vessels exclusively Mr.. Talbert
decided to spend his remaining days in
the lower part Of Kent county, Della
ware. having saved enough from his
earnings on the sea to keep him from
want in the snug little harbor in South
Murderkill hundred.
When in a talkative mood Mr.. Tai
bert delighted in spinning his sea
yarns to an attentive listener, but he
was hard TO draw into conversation.
He was known for his honesty in busi-
ness transactions. He was exact to the
lpenny and wanted naught but his prop
er allowance.
One of the most interesting of Mr.
Talbert's tales Of the ocean is his triI
from New York city around Cape Horn
to the coast of California about 1862
during the gold fever. The trip wa.
made in a thirty foot slOOp-rigged
yacht, and only rough men trained t
endure hardships could have stood the
voyage and its privatiOns.
The crew was threatened with every
kind Of death peculiar to seafaring life
: but its greatest tortures were
1 from the want of food.
At one point along the coast of Chill
they found their lockers empty ant
their stock OF fresh water exhausted
r They drew in close to the land and dis
= covered a hog-killing. They were des
perate from hunger and beached theil
small ship. Leaping upon the lan(
they made a rush for the big pOrker'
hanging on the beam. There seemed
TO be a disposition en- the part of the
Owners of the hogs to resist the inva
sion, but Mr., Talbert was equal to The
emergency. He cried to them to keel
away from him and his crew as they
had smallpox aboard the boat Thl
. hog killers became panic-stricken ant
1 fed. leaving the sailors to fill theii
lockers with fine fresh pork whicl
1 they did.
S Another incident of this trip that MI
n Talbert used to dwell upon, was whel
sea. The men, along with Captain
Talber. were sitting around on tn
=. small and dirty decks of the yacht
y gloomily watching for a sail. Thei
belts were drawn to the last hole, tn
oi betterway 10 enable them to withstan
y, the cravings for food. They were
Ia sorry looking set and were about a
.. low spirited as they could be, when
: joyful cry from the cook. who was I
, the little cabin. caused them TO rus
" excitedly toward him.
~ "See here, my boys, what hay
Se found" he cried, moving a small sac
W of beans in their faces.
u. There was new life written on ever
T. face, and Captain Talbert said, "by II
OF hokey pokey. I'll go TO mill. cook 'em
,a Besides the beans the cook. he
q. found a small piece OF salt pork,
= little ancient, but the smell OF n
= cooking was soon waited to the me
~ huddled on the deck. which was filtl
re with tobacco spit and grease.
~ E-o long the cook announced tn
es the beans were cooked and that
40 would bring them on deck to cool h
e. faster.
q. With greedy eyes the sailors watchI
4 the steaming pan of "Boston's Pride
ar emerge from the small companion wa
Il when. alas the cook tripped al
90 spilled the whole mess upon the dec
- II was an awful moment and not
lword was spoken, except by CAPITA