She was schooner-rigged, with a
small cabin forward. Her masts, by an ingenious contrivance, could be
lowered down aft, and, by means of a rope attached to the fore-top, and
running through a block on the bowsprit, could be instantly restored to
their original upright position. This arrangement the owner found
necessary, on account of the overhanging trees, which nearly concealed
the two openings of the stream into the river.
On the night of the Chalmetta's terrible disaster, a man wrapped in a
camlet cloak left the cottage, and approached the landing-place. In one
hand he carried a glass lantern, and in the other a double-barrelled
gun. Descending the steps to the rude pier of logs, he drew the boat
in-shore and seated himself in the stern-sheets. Unloosing the
stern-line, which alone held her, the boat was borne on by the rapid
stream. The helm the occupant handled with a masterly skill, and in a
moment the little bark swept through the half-hid opening into the broad
river. Placing the helm amid-ships, the man went forward, and, pulling
the proper line, brought the masts to their upright position.
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