United States -- History -- War of 1812 -- Fiction
The next to come on board was the man whom I took for the head of the
family whose other members we had already received. My surmise was
correct; he announced himself as Captain Graham of His Majesty's army,
and explained that he was on his way from London to Bermuda on the ship
Evelyn, Captain Woods, accompanied by his family. They were the only
passengers on the ship, and, as circumstances had turned out, he was
very glad that such was the case. Captain Dawson asked him if he would
join his family in the cabin or remain on deck. He paused a moment, and
then said he thought he would see his wife and daughters, as they might
possibly need his assistance in some way.
"All right," said Captain Dawson; "I'll go with you, and show you the
cabin and the accommodations that it will be possible to give you. We
are not fitted up for carrying passengers," he explained, "but we will
manage in some way to dispose of you."
The British officer thanked his host for his courtesy, and together
they proceeded to the cabin. Captain Graham entered first, and was
speedily followed by Captain Dawson, who lingered at the entrance a
moment to give some directions to Mr. Stevens.
The other occupants of the strange boat that we had picked up were the
captain, the second mate, and three of the crew. They were quickly
landed on our deck, and as their boat was in good condition and we had
room for it, it was hoisted in and saved. Then the Washington filled
away on her course and left behind her the scene of the rescue of the
people from the Evelyn.
Meantime, in the cabin of the Washington, Captain Dawson did everything
he could to make his guests comfortable. They were weak and worn with
their sufferings in the open boat, and it was with difficulty that
the women and girl were able to stand. The man was more robust than
they, but even he had lost a great deal of his customary strength.
Fortunately for the new arrivals there were two vacant rooms in
the cabin of the Washington, and one of them was large enough to
accommodate three persons. The larger of these rooms was given up to
Mrs. Graham and her two daughters; Captain Graham was lodged in the
other of the vacant rooms, where he was shortly after joined by the
captain of the Evelyn. Everything about the room was placed at the
disposal of the strangers, who thanked Captain Dawson with the greatest
heartiness for the kindness he was showing them.
"I am sorry I can do so little for your comfort," he replied,
addressing his remark to Mrs. Graham, "as I haven't any women's
clothing on board,--at least, I don't know of any. I'll turn out the
contents of the slop-chest, and you can pick out whatever you like. If
you can find anything that will answer your purpose, why just take it
and use it."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account