The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-02-28

such a feeling on the part of the pas
sengers, the relations between them
We're bound 10 become strained. Hos
tiities began at once. The first night
out Thorn ordered all lights out at
eight bells. This in spite of the re-
rnoHstrances of the four partners. who,
as representing Mr.. Aston, considered
themselves, properly enough, as own
ers of the ship. These gentlemen did
not wish to retire at so early an hour,
nor did they desire to spend the in
tervening time in darkness. They re-
monstrated with Thorn, and he told
them, in the terse, blunt language of a
seaman, to keep quiet or he would put
them in irons. In case he attempted
that, they threatened to resort to fire.
arms for protection. Finally, however,
the captain allowed them little longer
use OF their lights. Thus was inaugur-
ated a long, disgraceful wr9ngle that
did not cease while life lasted.
There was doubtless much fault on
both sides, but, in spite of the brilliant
advocate who has pleaded Thorn s
cause. 1 cannot but admit that he was
decidedly the most to blame. He car
ried things with a high hand indeed,
treating the partners as he might a
graceIess lot of undiseiplined midship-
men.
A voyage around the Horn in those
days was no slight matter. The Ton
gum was a remarkably good sailer, but
it was not until the 5th of October that
they sighted the Cape Verde Islands.
There they struck the Trades, and
went booming down the African coast
at a great rate. There also they We're
pursued by a large man-o'-war brig.
On the third day she drew so near that
Thorn prepared for action whereupon
the brig sheered off and left them.
On the 18th of October they ran into
a terrific storm, which prevailed until
the 21st, when they found themselves
off the River Plate. While the storm
was at its height the man at the wheel
was thrown across the deck by sud-
den jump of the wheel and severely in
Jured, breaking three of his ribs and
fracturing his collar-bone. Thorn's
seamanship during this trying period
was first class. After the gale blew
itself out a fresh breeze succeeded.
which enabled them rapidly to run
down their southing. The water supply
had grown very low, and it was de-
termined to run in to the Falkland
Islands to fill the casks.
They made a landfall on the Sd of
December, got on shore on one of the
smaller islets on the 4th, found no
water, and We're driven to sea to seek
an offing on the 5th by gale. On the
9Th they landed at Point Egmont on
the West Falkland, and found a fine
spring of fresh water. As it would take
several days to fill the casks, all the
passengers went ashore and camped
on the deserted island. They amused
themselves by fishing, shooting, and
about. On the 18th of the
month the captain, having filled his
water-casks, signalled for every man to
come aboard, by firing a gun. Eight
including McDougaH and
Stuart happened to be on shore at
the time. They had wandered around
to the other side of the island, and did
not hear the report of the gum. Thorn,
after waiting a short time, weighed
anchor and sailed away from the is
land, firmly resolved to leave the men
ashore, marooned and destitute of sup
plies on that desoiate and uninhabited
spot, where they must inevitably have
perished of starvation and exposure.
Some of the abandoned passengers
happened to see the Tonquin fast leav-
ing the island In great alarm they
hastily summoned the wanderers, and
the eight got into a small boat twen-
ty feet long, which had been left with
them, and roWed after the rapidly re-
ceding ship. They had not the slight
est hope of catching her unless she
waited for them, but they pulled for
her with furious energy nevertheless.
AS the Tonquin got out from under the
lee of the land the breeze freshened,
Il - \,
every passing moment in spite of their
nanful work at the oars. When they
nad about given up in exhaustion and
despair, the ship suddenly changed her
course and stood toward them.
Franchere says that it was because
young Stuart put a pistol to the cap
-ain's head and swore that he would
blow out his brains unless he went
back for the boat. The captains ac-
count to Mr.. Aston is that sudden
shift of wind compelled him to come
about, and this gave the boat an OPP
oortunity to overhaul him. There was
| scene of wild recrimination when the
,oat reached the ship. shortly after six
BELLS g p. M, but it did not seem to
bother Thorn in the least.
On the 18th of December they were
south and east Of Cape Horn. The
Weather was mild and pleasant, but
before they could make Roadway
nough against the swift easterly cur
ent to round the most daroerous point
came on 10 blow a regular Cape Horn
-aIe. After seven days Of hard beat
ng they celebrated Christmas under
leasanter auspices in the southern Pa
ffic.
Their run to the northward was I'M
ventful, and on the 18th Of February,
S11, they sighted the volcano of Maui
a Loa in the Sandwich Islands. They
anded on the 18th, and spent sixteen
avs among the different islands, Wis
ing. filling the water-easks again, and
uying fresh meat, vegetables, and
ve-stock from Kamehanneha 1.
While Captain Thorn was hated by
he passengers, he was not beloved by