Year: 1879

whom were in the forecastle and two in the cabins
the time OF the accident. were drowned besides
the three who had been on deck


The little party OF seven all that remained of the
original twentyone. was in critical situation. and
its members we're not long in discovering that all
add TO the horror OF the scene corpse rose slowly
from the hatch and tell over with thud
on to the deck. They wrapped the
body of their unfortunate companion in
piece of canvas and dropped it overheard
make themselves even slightly comfortable. BY
daylight the storm abated and gradually decreased
until the wreck OF the Petrol drifted easily.
Every one took it upon himself to keep sharp look
our, anu at two o'clock r. M sail WAS sighted
TO the north II was too distant to hear
a signal of distress might be seen they hoisted
red shirt on pole and waited anxiously for
spouse. But none came, aud again tho horizon was
clear. An hour later the cry s.A sail sail arose. and
stwo-masted schooner was sighted to the north
success. Before night another vessel was sighted.
put made no reply to signals; NTH
gale sprang up from the north and made the
water rough. At midnight the waves were washing
the deck of the floating hull and the suffering SUR
wind was blowing hard and the sea running high.
Occasionally pieces of flesh would rise in the hatch
way to the surface Of the water. During the day
hve vessels were seen but none passed within hail
Ing distance.


THE pANGs OF HUNGER


On Thursday night several OF the fortunate
were utterly disheartened and refused to do any
thing further. preferring to meet death half way.
They searched again for food or stray cask of
water, but without avail. Their countenances hag-
gard and wan. their eyes sunken aud stless bespoke
together in hs, the after part of ' the vessel
anu tried to refresh themselves by sleep, but
tired AZ they were the excitement was too intense
permit them to sumber. Early on Friday morning
they were startled by loud shouting and were nor
rihed at discovering the first mate, Burgess stand
ing over dead body that had been given up by the
waters in the hold, brandshing q large spike whcn
he held in his hand. and shouting frantcaiy. u
will eat you; will eat you. IL was soon oiscov.
cred that the mate was in his right mind, for
when his companions approached he Imagined tnem
to be monsters in quest OF his flesh to eat As the
body was lowered into the water he sought to
plunge in after it. but was prevented by the others


sail was sighted and the signais were asa'h nope
lessly raised. The men were now becoming desper-
ate The first mate had gone crazy In the midst or
their encouragement Benjamin Martin made dis
coyery. From the pocket of his jacket he drew .
piece of beeswax about the size of an egg. Here
was something that would relieve their parched
throats, down which no food or drink had passed for
three DAYS. He called his companions about him.
There only six. One was missing. sIt was the
first mate. They subsequently found his body in
the forward part of the null. His wounded finger
which had not healed. had commenced bleeding.


THIRsrING HOOD.


what shall we do, boysY SAID Benjamin Martin,
che head watch "Shall we drink little of that
blood not? It's life or death. What do you say?"
They all rushed forward.


"hold hard fellows I am mistaken; Don't
placing himself between the body OF the mate and
the famished seamen.


''N nv not!' was the surly demand.


Because it Nill only sharpen our appetites to do
worse thing-to cot one OF our own party. No,
stand back and wait until tomorrow"


AS he finished speaking he cut OH pieces OF the
beeswax abont half the size Of pea, and gave one
to each of them.


make one piece last you twenty -four hours"
were Martins instructions.


The mates body was dropped overheard and
Martin even went far to that stains of
blood remained the deck where the body had lain.


On saturday afternoon not one of the sufferers en-
tertained a hope OF ever seeing land again. About
haxrtt txuien hntG Gfa1f
tress without avail OF the party found piece Of
ships bread. 1t was saturated with salt water.
divided equally among the six survivors each
had q piece about the size of his
treaties of some to be sparing. At night the sky
again looked threatening, aud the unfortunates had
terrible forebodings OF their fate. But when Sum
days sun shone on the Atlantic every trace Of the
storm had vanished. The little band then resolved
to call upon God for assistance and in unison
up simple prayer for help. All day Sunday not
sail Seen. Half OF the beeswax had now been
eaten and two OF the party were too weak to stand
on their feet One had not even strength enough to
chew the wax.


After having wearily watched all night without
seeing living thing save their own emaciated forms
and haggard features Martin confessed his belief
that they were doomed to die of starvation.


"Now, boys, all give one more look" he said.
about We O'Clock on Monday morning.


Chey responded but 1t proved q fruitless search.
Just then large drops OF rain began to fall and the
countenances of the men frightened at last the
precious drops fell faster and faster. Clothing was
spread on the deck. and when thoroughly saturated
the water wrung into hat Before the shower
over they succeeded in relieving their condition
considerably. and were prepared to struggle through
apother day. At seven O'Clock sail was
Sighted to windward. They hosted their
signal of Distress red shirt and were overtoyed to
discover that the stranger bearing toward them.
When she within hailing distance they all
shouted in u chorus for help and waved their hands.
The "sail" came within quarter of mile and then
sent a boat to the rescue. Once aboard the Rebus,
the greatest care had to be taken in giving noursh
ment to the rescued sailors. as some were able to
drink only half spoonful Of wine. Nothing what
ovar rxvaa aracpv ara1 froyu fha vvra