The Van Buren press., 1904-10-29
LOCKED IN
THELAZARET

NPEAKING Of sailors superstitions,
y Capt. Dan Burton used to say that
When the crew of the Daphne once took
the notion that he was ghost, they
came dangerously near making him a
ghost in reality.
Burton was second mate at that time,
and his memorable experience actually
began when the Daphne three days out
from Point de Gale, Ceylon, was be-
aimed for a fortnight
Finally, one afternoon, came tiny
cloud; within an hour it spread over the
sky and completely obliterated the twi-
light. When the captain came on deck
he called all hands to wear ship. A tor
nado was bearing down on them, and
they must work for their lives.
Burton found a fore-tack broken
thanks to the weather that had turned
the rigging to tinder-and jumped TO the
lazaret to replace it. Many heavy articles
we're between him and the spare rigging
and Burton called a young sailor, Fred
Roberts, to help him move them.
The two were struggling with a big
hawser when the captain roared: Helm
alec, Wear ship, Hard oyer,' They
heard the helmsman repeat the last or
der. Then all in an instant the universe
seemed to be blotted out and Burton
and his companion knew no more.
To realize their situation il IS neceS-
sary to remember that the lazaret is, so
to speak, the ships storerOom, Extend
ing behind and on two sides Of the cabin,
it takes in all the space under decks,
from the stern to the line where the
quarterback ends and the main-decK
begins In it the steward stores food in
tended for the officers; and their trunks,
together with valuable materials, extra
supplies and fittings. are put away in it,
The space between the ships knees af-
fOrds plenty OF ventilation by means of
the air wells that extend from the outer
deck to the ballast hold.
A sliding door in one side Of the stew
ard pantry gives him admittance to the
lazaret, but officers generally enter, as
Burton and young Roberts did, through
small hatChway in the wheel-hOuse,
It was natural enough that, in the excite
ment Of preparation for storm, their
movements should pass unnotced that,
finding the hatchway open, stupid
helmsman should cover il and think no
more about it, and that the two men
should be given up as lost,
Burton came to himself with a sensa-
tiOn Of lightness in his head and faint
ress at his stomach tch-Garkness pre-
vailed. for the bull's-eyes that dimly
lighted the lazaret when it was empty
were now covered up; but putting out
his hand, Burton felt human form.
who is IT," ne asked. A snore was
the only answer
Then Burton Strengthened his stiff
eaed limbs and rolled himself clear.
He heard the seaman at the wheel strike
eight bells but whether that meant
eight or 70 or four o'clock, or night
or day. he could not tell. He did remem-
Der, now, who his companion was He
put his mouth to the young sailors ear.
Eight bcllsl Change watch" he
cried.
The habit OF years made the sleeper
start up. "Eh? What? OH" he
~roaned "You awake, sir? You all
right" he asked,
What time OF day do you think II is,
Roberts?" Burton returned Eight bells
has just struck
Must be morning, sir"
"You don't mean to tell me we've been
here all night? lmpossible!'
But IL amt, sir You didn't know
rothin' for a long while after old Nels
that was at the wheel, let the ship yeer
up in the wind. She most turned upside
down. You must have got your head hit
them was pretty well banged round
myself-and afterward you went 20
sleep without fairly sensin' anything
Have you tEied to attract attentions"
"My knuckles Is wore out poundin on
that wheel-house hatch, sir" the sailor
said, plalntIyely - forced itup with my
head once, but when hollered at Bristol
Dave he dropped the wheel and hollered
like ne was scared to death Scared me
that did. fell backward and fore !
could climb up again they had the hatch
battcnod down and padlocked,"
Cant we dig through TO the steward
pantry"
"'FraId not sir This here la2aret Is
| full chock-a-bock, all but this little hole
we're cooped up in and we couldn't move
the stun .ause there's nowhere to move
II to-"
Just then the second mate trying &c
feel ont his surroundings, touched some.
thing he seemed 10 recognize, lie
smelIed and tasted it
"Must have broken open box o'
honey" he said. "Iye got piece oi
comb"
Better eat It, sir the sailor advised
/ 'I'm goin 70 try 10 find brcad-cask
We could easy spot 1T know where
there's lanterns and oil=Hif you'll takC
the risk Of light"
Lanterns down here?" Burton re-
poated
Yes, sir hung en- myself They'r,
/ covered lanterns We used for the anchor
| watch"
/ Burton felt for his matchbox ant
/ nAITOM MAnE EDnM MOOr