The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-07-02
CHAPTER I.
The Tornado.

away to sea. and. after various
wanderings. became tobacco
planter in Brazil. where | remained
for fon years beginning TO pros
per on my plantation. was pre-
vailed upon by some OF my neigh.
bors 10 venture on a voyage to the
coast of Guinea. TO trade with the
natives. and TO buy negroes for the
work of our plantations.
And accordingly. the ship being
fitted out | went on board the first
of September. 1858
Our ship carried fourteen men.
besides the master. bis boy. and
myself We had on board such
toys as were III for our trade with
the negroes beads. bits OF glass.
ard odd triflcs. especially little
looking glasses. knives. scissors.
hatchets. and the like.
The same day | went on board
we set sail for the African coast
We were by our last observation
| In degrees % minutes northern
latitude. when tornado took u.
quite out OF our knowledge II
blew In such terrible manner
that for twelve days together We
could do nothing but let II carry
US whittier fate and the fury OF
the winds directed
About the twelfth day. the wealth.
er abatins a little. the master made
an observation. and found that he
was gotten upon the coast OF Gui.
ana. beyond the river Amazon. and
began TO consult with me what
course he should take. for the ship
was much disabled. and he was for
going directly back TO the coast OF
Brazil
wa. positively against that.
and resolved to stand away for
Barbados. which we might easily
perform. as We hoped. In about
fifteen days sail.
But our voyage was otherwise
determined: n second storm came
upon us. which drove us out OF
the very way OF all human com.
merce.
In this distress one OF our men
early In the morning cried out,
Land" and we had no sooner
run out OF the cabin TO look. but
the ship struck upon a sand. and
the sea broke over her in such a
manner that We expected we
should all have persisted immedi
ately
In this distress the mate of our
vessel lays hold of the boat. and
with the help OF the rest OF the
men. got her slung over the ships
side. and getting all into her. com
mitted ourselves. being seventeen in
number. TO Gods mercy and the
Wild sea. pulling as well as We
could towards land
After we had rowed about a
league and a half. a raging wave
mountain-like. came rolling astern
of us. II took us with such a fury
that II overset the boat at once.
separating us az we'll from the boat
as from one another.
Nothing can describe the confu.
sion OF thought which | felt when
| sank; for though swan very
well. yet could not deliver myself
from the waves so as TO draw
breath. till that wave, having
carried me a vast way on towards
the shore. and having spent itself.
went back. and left me upon the
land almost dry. but half dead with
the water | took in. got upon my
feet and clambered up the cliffs
and sat me down upon the grass
quite out OF the reach of the water.
] was now landed. and began TO
look UP and thank God that my
life was saved. | walked about on
the shore, reflecting upon all my
comrades that were drowned. for
l never saw them afterwards.
| cast my eyes on the stranded
vessel. and considered, Lord. how
was II possible ! could get on
shore7"
Now | began to look round me
to see what kind OF place was in.
and what was next to be done. for
] was wet. had no clothes TO shift
me nor anything either to eat or
drink. in a word. had nothing
about me but knife, tobacco
pipe. and little tobacco In box.
Night coming upon me, began
with heavy heart to consider
what would he my lot II there
we're any ravenous beasts In that
country. seeing AZ night they al.
ways come abroad for their prey.
All that offered to my thoughts
Mt that time was to get up into a
thick bushy tree. which grew near
me. and where | resolved to sit all
night.
! went TO the tree. and getting
up into II. endeavored to place nv.
self so as that II should sleep I
might not fall. Having been ex.
cessively fatigued. soon fell fast
asleep.
When | walked II was broad day.
and the storm abated. That which
surprised me most was. that the
ship was lifted off In the night
from the sand and was driven far
In shore.