"Here, while waiting for orders to ascend on board, we were addressed
by some of the prisoners from the air-ports * * * after some questions
whence we came, and respecting the manner of our capture, one of the
prisoners said that it was a lamentable thing to see so many young men
in the prime of health and vigor condemned to a living grave." He went
on to say that Death passed over such human skeletons as himself as
unworthy of his powers, but that he delighted in making the strong,
the youthful, and the vigorous, his prey.
After the prisoners had been made to descend the hatchways, these were
then fastened down for the night. Dring says it was impossible for him
to find one of his companions in the darkness.
"Surrounded by I knew not whom, except that they were beings as
wretched as myself; with dismal sounds meeting my ears from every
direction; a nauseous and putrid atmosphere filling my lungs at every
breath; and a stifling and suffocating heat which almost deprived me
of sense, even of life. Previous to leaving the boat I had put on
several articles of clothing, for the purpose of security, but I was
soon compelled to disencumber myself of these. * * * Thoughts of sleep
did not enter into my mind."
He discovered a gleam of light from one of the port-holes and keeping
hold of his bag endeavored to make his way to it, but was greeted by
curses and imprecations from those who were lying on the deck, and
whom he disturbed.
Pages:
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373