Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-08-25
we saw the flash and heard the report Of a

gun some miles to the leeward.
by thunder that's the old Boston, She,
underway, but still waiting for us!'' said
Rabbit, and then he added:
"Youngster, make sail on the boat and
take the helm! Wen 60 out !"
Orders must be obeyed. looked up al
the sky, then glanced out upon the kissing
and roaring bar, and though I dared moi
hesitate, still / felt as il ia rather stay on
shore, and said mentally, if we do 60 out
farewell to all my hopes Of wearing a,
epaulet or seeing Mrs. Buntline by my
side.
Hosting up reefed, big foresail, I took
the tiller and told the men to shove Off
Just as we did 50, another gun was fred
from the sea-wartl and this gave me an
idea Of the course which / should steer.
The wind blew gale while we were
close in shore, but now that we dashed out
from under the lee Of the land, we found
it was perfect hurricane. Our little
mast bent like hoop pole, the men chung
to the sheet Of the lug with all their
strength and yet the wind nearly dragged
it from their hands. Our boat swept on
like grey gull through the foam, now
rising the huge waves, then apparently
diving right through them-now filling
with the water tina, .'combed" in over both
bow and stern, and which the crew bailed
but with their hats. They were pale with
excitement, every rerye seemed upon the
stretch, not one Of US spoke, we almost
held our breath az we drove before the
fearful blast.
At last we passed the range Of brakers
upon the less ioamy, but darkly heaving
ocean. Oh God! Inever shall forget how
huge seemed each wave that rolled along
with our little shell Of boat, as cloud
would bear feather; they ,rere noun
ta,ns" indeed. On / steered, heading as
near as could towards the spot where
we had seen the flash Of the last gun, vet
nothing more could we see to give US an
indication OF the whereabouts of the ship.
We were steering cut into utter darkness,
out upon stormy ocean, and knew not
whether our ship was hove to for us, or
had borne of before the gale.
We ran COR miles, and still got no
glimpse Of the ship, no sign to guide us.
The wind seemed to increase, the sea rose
higher and became rougher. Oul men.
old tars and used 10 peril as they were,
now turned pale-lheir lips quivered -
l could see as the tightening flashes lit up
each face that hope was trembling in their
hearts, and that each felt the danger of our
situation.
"You'd better take in that lug, young
ster!" said the captain, calmly, sit won't
do to run too far to leeward!'
AT this moment the order was rendered
unnecessary by the mast swapping short
off at the thwart and as the boat pitched
forward with the puff which carried away
the spar, sea came in upon US which ina
moment filled the boat, drenching US with
the spray, and sweeping away oars, sails
and all.
| closed my eyes-I thought that all was
over with me, and indeed my intended
Mrs. Buntline was widow; but the next
moment, the gruff voice Of Charley Carey
shouted:
sail no! Close aboard, and by the
pipers of Moses, its the old Boston ~
''Boat ahoy!" shouted a voice from
aboard of her, which showed that we were
seen. and within five minutes we were all
safe on board, and Mrs. Buntline that was
to be, Uasn't a scidoac!
Day broke soon after we got aboard,
and then the might on the gulf" was end
ed.