The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-09-08


doubled the Cape of Good Hope, and en-.
tered the Indian Ocean. II was towards
the close ol a day that had been sultry and
oppressive, that a ftiul breeze sprang up
from the southwark. Ii came in quick,
cool gusts, and the broad canvass onty
Aapped beforeit.
w e are likely 10 have blow soon
remarked the mate.
Not much, Lthink,' returned the cap.
lam, as he took survey OF the horrzn.
This splitting will soon die away, and
think the wind will then come ont from
the west'rd. However, it may be we'll
enough to shorten sail. You may take in
| It'gallantss and close reef the topsls.'
This order was quickly obeyed, and,
as the captain had predicted. the splitting
gusts died away, but there was no wind
came oul from the west'rd, 1t grew dark
but no wind had come. About ten o'clock
those who were on deck were startled by
a sudden darkening of the stars, and they
saw great black cloud rolling up from
the southward. 1t soon hung over the
ship like black pail, and the men began
10 be frightened. The captain was call,
ed, but before he came on deck there
came crash as though the very heavens
had been rent in sunder. The old ship
trembled in every joint, and huge ball Of
fire rolled down the mainmast. Another
and another, crashing of the lightning
came, and at length the electric light be.
gan to play about the ship in wild, tantas.
| tic streams.
the foremast is struck 7 shouted one
of the men. See where its head is shiv.
eredp
All eyes were turned 10 the spot, and by
the next wild fash the men could see that
dangerous havoc had been made with
the mai mast. The cap ives shivered,
the starboard cheek was nearly stripped
off, and theslEestletrees were quivering
OF cours SIS heavy topmast was only
held IN aee by the dubious trestle.
trees; sNss Ihain,top threatened every
instanlV ne laundering upon the deck
with ths 1g topmast and topgallantmasi
in its npany. Such catastrophe
would surely prove fatal to the ship, and
all knew it.
But while all hands were gazing at this
another danger arose. The low, rum.
bling, sound that had been growing in the
sQa1bWard had escaped the notice OF the
d y, and ere they knew it, the rushing
hSWling wind was upon them. The ship
leaped like frightned stage before the
gale. The mate cutthe mainiopsail sheets
and the sail was snapped into ribbons
The iorelopsai was cewed up, and the
ship was got before the wind.
The lightning cloud was swept away
and it was dark as Erebus. The wind
howled fearlully, but there was one sound
more fearful than that. 1t was the creak'
ing of the shattered trestletrees, as the
see of the topmast bore down upon them
% God' calculated Captain Jacobs
if the trestletrees give way we are lost
Hark Hear them laborP
Away up aloit, in the impenetrable dark
ness, stood the giant topmast, and all fel
it could not stand there long. The mer
crowded aft, and with painfully beatin!
hearts they heard the mast labor.
'lfwe could bring the ship broadsid'
to- said the mate, Hthe weather rigging
might be cut, and the mast would go over
board p<
trrue--true,' reAtned the captain
but who shall go alof and do the job 2
There would be no foothold in the top
for thai will go with crash. The tres
i tletrees are already shattered.' 2
'lfyou will porlthe helm,I will make tn,
trial." cried clear. strong voice, which
was at once recognized as Caleb Ba
ker's.
sit will be sure DEATH" said Jacobs.
"Then let it be SC" returned Caleb
"If succeed, the rest Of you may b
!, saved, but now we are all in DANGER
port the helm, and will CO. Is
:, Caleb took the axe from the mizzen
mast, and soon his form was lost in tn
l. darkness, as he moved toward the star
board rigging. The helm was put a'Por'
and the ship gradually gave her starboar
. side to the gale. Soon the blow Of an ak
! was heared--tnen another--and another
! The ship he aved heavily over-then ar
! other blow was heard. There was
j fearful suaining and cracking--and the
came the crash. Ghe heavy topmast ha
A gone clear over the side! Fragments
the trestle and crosstrees came rattlin
upon the deck, but all eyes were straine
q painfully toward the mast head. In
!, dim outlines of the heroic man coul
be seed safely hanging by the mlzze
. topmast stay!
Z The ship was once more got before III
= wind, and ere long Baker came saieIyi
. deck. He staggered aft TO the binnacl
and there he sank, fainting and bruised
y upon the deck; but he was quickly cor
T veyed to the cabin, and his wants were
!. met.
A, Caleb's bruises were none ofthem bat
=, and in lew days he was again at h
"A duty. The men eyed him anxiousl
~ and they seemed uneasya as they met b
smiles. The captain, too. changed coll
n wien he met the kind, noble look OF Il
"A Young man, but he soon oyercame Il
!, ~ false pride that actuated him, and ste
ba m ping to the noble fellows side, be to-
al him by the hand.
,pt "Caleb," said be, "If have do
wrong, ! freely ask you to forgive me.
r. | have called you acoward, but didr
m. know you"