The Newtown bee., 1904-11-04
To California In '49.
INTERESTING STORY FROM THE DIARY OF
 GLOVER HAWLEY,
Brought Out In a Vivid Way By the Pen of B. L.
 Johnson.
Ship Robert Bowen at Sea,

Latitude 19o l1' South.
 Dear Wife: Owing to the pleasant
 excitement that prevailed with us al
 at the time the captain of the New
 London wha]er boarded us, my letters
 were closed in such haste that would
 not wonder if they ended abruptly
 l will tell you how it was. At the
 time the sail was discovered I was
 writing from my journal to you and
 note to see the sail. l saw she was in
 our path and steering right to meet
 us. The wind being very fair for her
 she approached us fast, and in fine
 style. Capt c. gave us no encourage
 ment about sending letters, the water
 being too rough, he said, to board her.
 We took no further interest in her
 approach than to hear him speak uo
 her. But what a change came over us
 when, coming up, she unfurled the
 Star Spangled banner" and rounded,
 to, as they say. It was almost i'm
 possible for the captain to preserve order, or prevent all from giving three cheers. The captain ordered "Silence fore and aft " He speaks with his
 trumpet: "What ship is that, strang- er?" "The Columbus of New London, bound home." Capt o.: twill you please report the Robert Bowen of
 New York all wel?" The answer was in true hearted Yankee style as fol- lows: "No sir, you just haul up your main sail and heave to. I will lower my boat, go on board of your ship and take your passengers letters, sir" Then such confusion in every part of the ship will not attempt to describe. SUCH A GRABBING OF PEN AND INK, such rolling of eyes, all showed the in- tensity of oheir excitement. I think my letter showed some of this want of sound mind. I forgot that it was not dated or addressed to any one and broke off in the midst of scene, for all of which 1 beg to be excused, know ing as did your anxiety to know of my whereabouts. Moments were never more precious. They took from us nearly 300 letters. Mine I hope you will have received in advance of this. Should my letters be too descriptive and minute as to be tedious you must forgive me for have much to write and nothing to do. Since my last, however, but little has occurred to me that would interest you. We are now in to that place for water, not having enough to last us around Cape Hofn. The 800 barrels promised by MT Town send as per advertisement proved to be only 800. The provisions, pork, beef, bread, etc, holds out in about the same ratio. I have great cause to be glad that l have no share in the ship or cargo. It is quite enough to live on it on the voyage. The pork we do not object to, although it is put up for prime, that is second quality, and the whole hog is salted, shoulders, hams, sides, head, and all. It is we'll salted and all like it, even those who never ate any before. The beef, some of the barrels are branded lS42 and of course it is seven years old. It is just as hard as wood, the salt having eat up every particle of fat and left the firmly believe tha at if Townsend was here he would be tried by Judge Lynch. l hear but little else at table but imprecations on his head. that is when we have nothing but beef and hard bread, which is quite often. This morning we had coffee, hard neck beef, cold, bread and butter for breakfast, all told. Although we are all we'll, fat and slick with good appetiteS, and good weather, it is our right to complain, but some grumble at everything. Townsend may depend that he has not seen the last of his speculation. I am heartily tired of hearing it discussed over and over again. Should we get to San Francisco, the closing up scene will be very rich. However, I am out of the scrape, and as Martha says, "Ain't l gladn'
 You may think we are getting along slowly. We are, so. It is eight weeks to- day since we left New York. You will see by the log that sent you we were in the neighborhood of the Vest ern Islands or Azores nearly two weeks owing to head winds and our ship not being good at beating to windward. Two days we lost in passing the island of which 1 sent you sketch:~ In fact, we have had wind southeast ever since the line which is nearly ahead and at the same time
 BEARING TOWARDS THE COAST OF
 SOUTH AMERICA.
 Our course being south by west we could catch but little wind that would drive us ahead. However, we have made about one and one-half degrees since crossing the equator. To-day the wind has shifted to north for the first time and the prospect is we will spend Good Friday in RiO, which will be