The Elbert County tribune., 1903-02-05
MQUbikeCk, The G0|FTQneT.
By SEWARD W. HOPKINS.
Author Of Jack Robbins Of America" 'In the
China Sea-" 1.-TWO Gentlemen Of
Hawaii" ''on a False
Charge" Etc.
Copyright. isss. h, Rosrnr sos-r,'. SOC.
CHATTER v.-(cOntInued.)

fog seemed to be lifting. and it was
with a feeling of great relief that we
saw the gray of the early morning
the dawn chasing away the horrid
blackness OF the night
Our greatest trouble now was thirst,
and knew that the misery OF that had
but commenced. And also knew that
in few hours hunger would add its
pangs to the other horrors of our situ-
alton. and our hope lay in the discov-
cry, in the coming daylight, of pass
ing vessel
At last morning broke. The fog was
banished by the warm glow of the ris-
ing sun. and the chill began to depart
from our bones and flesh. Consequent
ly our spirits rose and we scanned the
sea for a ship.
There was none In sight.
The faces OF the poor women were
a sight to make ones soul sick with
impotent pity. One or two of them
seemed to have lost consciousness and
perhaps they were better of than the
rest.
Suddenly. when the cup of our bit
terness seemed full, one of the sailors
1oyfully pointed to the westward and
shouted:
"A saill A saili"
The others looked, and having veri-
fed his joyful utterance, they sang
and laughed and shouted like men
beside themselves, notwithstanding
the fact that the sail was still far
away and might bring no succor to us
at all.
One of the sailors pulled of his shirt
and tying the sleeves to an oar, made
signal of 1t. which he held aloft.
The sail grew slowly but steadily
larger, until we could make the ap-
preaching vessel out to be brig.
When 1t became evident beyond
chance of error that the brig was
coming to our assistance. the joy of
all in our little boat, save the two
women who were but half conscious,
burst forth in shouts and cries of
thanksgiving. And 1t was with feel
ing that l cannot describe that we
saw her heave to and heard the cap
tain hail us.
We told him whom we were-or at
least the officer in charge of our boat
did-and after few strokes at the
oars by our weary sailors, we were
alongside the brig.
The women were tenderly placed on
board first. Then l was assisted up
the ladder, and the other male passen-
gers followed. Then the sailors clam
bered aboard, and the boat was sent
adrift
The rescuing brig proved to be the
Janette from New York, bound for Llv-
erpool The captain, James Southey,
was part owner. and she was engaged
In a private carrying trade. being as
signed to well-known shipping firm.
Within twenty minutes after getting
! on board the Janette we had smok-
ing and savory meal set before us, and
1t is needless to say that we did it
full Justice.
was provided with jacket by the
second mate. who was q man about
my own build. He also gave me a
cap. chatted with the officer from
the Inflated Queen, who had been in
command of our small boat.
From him | learned all that was
known of the accident.
The first officer had been in com
mand. The fog was so dense that
nothing could be seen a hundred feet
away. Even the lights were almost
useless. Suddenly. through the fog
the dull outlines of hull were dis
tinguished directly ahead. and almost
| under the bows of the Queen. The
| gong to reverse the engines was
sounded, but 1t was too late. The
| Queen crashed into the obstructing
hull, and the result was too well
| known to all.
| THE accident is strong argument" :"
continued the officer. "in favor of the
destruction of derelicts by warships
The hull which sent the Queen to de-
struction was no doubt one of these
wandering menaces to navigators,
which are to be met with when they
are least expected. 1t was certainly
deserted vessed. and probably dis
masted one."
Captain Southey added his testimony
as to the danger of the derelicts at
sea. and said he hoped it would not be
long before the great powers reaiizef
the necessity for action and sent out
war vessels equipped for destroying
| them.
If the sleeping accommodations on
board the Janette were meager the
supply of food was not. We had plen-
ty to eat and drink. and now that !
| was restored to nearly my usual
strength, could look with equanimity
upon our disaster. But had lost Mau-
bikeck. OF course. my condition was
! infinitely superior to that of my fel-
low-unfortunates, many of whom had
lost loved ones. members of their own
families. With these could only sym
pathize and offer to them what little
comfort and consolation there might