Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-11-30
WHOLE NO. 4s9.


then come out from the westward. However,.it
may be we'll enough to shorten sail You may
take in tgallants, and close reef the tops'ls." g
This order was quickly obeyed; and, as the cap
tain had predicted, the splitting gusts died away,
but there was no wind came out from the westrd.,
1t grew dark, but no wind had come. About ten
O'Clock, those who were on deck were startled by
sudden darkening of the stars, and they saw a
great black cloud rolling up from the southwark.
1t soon hung over the ship like black pail, and
the men began to be frightened. The captain
was called, but before he came on deck, there
came a crash as though the heavens had been,
rent asunder. The old ship trembled in every
joint and huge ball of fire rolled down the main
mast. Another, and another crashing of the
lightning came, and at length the electric light
began to play about the ship in wild fantastic
streams. -.s. = Ests.s
"The foremast is struck" shouted one Of the
men, "See where its head is shivered."
| All eyes were turned to the spot, and by the
next wild flash the men could see that a danger,
GUS havoc had been made with the mainmast.--'
The cap was shvered, the starboard cheek was
nearly stripped off, and the uestle-trees were
quivering Of course the heavy topmast was on
ly held in its place by the dubious treste-trees,
and the main-top threatened every instant to come
laundering down upon the deck, with the long
! topmast and the topgallant mast in its company.
Such a catastrophe would surely prove fatal to
the ship, and all knew it. -ss a5a-,3
But while all hands were gazing at this, anoth-
er danger arose. The low, rumbling sound that
had been growing in the southwark had escaped
the notice of the crew, and ere they knew it, the
rushing, bowling was upon them. The ship
leaped like frighted stag before the gale. The
mate cut the maintopsail sheets and the sail was
snapped into ribbons. The foretop-sailw was clew-'
ed, and the ship was got before the wind. i-a'
The lightning cloud was swept away,and it was.
as dark Erebus. The wind howled fearfully,,
but there was one sound more fearful than that.
1t was the creaking of the shattered trestltrees,
as the head of the topmast bore down upon them.
go God!' calculated Captain Jacobs, elf the
trustetrees give way we are lost! Hark! hear
them labor!" r..s.s ~ -as III al
Away up aloft, in the impenetrable darkness,
stood the giant topmast and all felt that it could
not stand there long. The men crowded aft, and
with painfully beating hearts they heard the mast
labor. s.- -T s=i- -ya8 E!rtas
"If we could bring the ship broadside too" said
the mate, "the weather rigging might be cut, and
the mast would go overheard" "a asas.ls d. q
"True-true," returned the captain, .tbut who
4 shall 60 aloft and do the job! There will be no
foothold in the top, for that will 60 with crash.
i The trestletrees are already shattered.''
/ s"If you will port the helm, will make the
trial." cried a clear, strong voice, which was at
once recognised as Caleb Bakers. So 59sga
i E.Tt will be sure death - n ''3et FA3 'C
s'Then let it be so,'' returned Caleb. "If /
succeed, the rest of you may be saved; but now
we are all in danger. Port the helm and will
go,'' '1 f'.~ .''.' s'.- H'4 .'t. sss,
Caleb took the axe from the mizzenmast, and
soon his form was lost in the darkness, rs he
moved towards the starboard rigging. The helm
was put aport and the ship gradually gave her
starboard side to the gale. Soon the blow of an
axe was heard-then another-and another. The
ship heaved heavily over--then cracking-and
then came the crash. The heavy topmast had
gone clear over the side! Fragments of the tres-
tie and crosstrees came rattling the deck, hut
all eyes were strained painfully towards the mast
head. The dim outlines of the heroic man could
be seen safely hanging by the mizzen topmast
| stay. .@
The ship was once more got before the wind,
and ere long Baker came safely to the deck. He
staggered aft to the pinnacle, and there be sank,
fainting and bruised, upon the deck; but he was
t quickly conveyed to the cabin, and his wants
were all met. -. -..
& Caleb's bruises were none of them bad, and in
few days he was again at his duty. The men
eyed him anxiously, and they seemed uneasy as
they met his smiles. The captain, too, changed
: color, when he met the kind, noble look of the
young man, but he soon overcame the false pride,
that actuated him, and stepping to the noble fell
lows side, he took him by the hand:
"Caeb," said he, "ifI have done wrong, free
ly ask you to forgive me. have called you a
coward, but did not know you.'' '' sz
"Think no more of it," said Caleb with a
beaming eye. 81 once promised to one whom
1 loved better than my life-my motKer-thst
t would never do a deed of which might after
wards be ashamed"
Y Bunkton pressed forward. "Caleb," he said,
e seizing the hand of the young maa in his fist.
ssyou must forgive me for what's passed. Wen
y be friends after this" ~
"Bless you, Bunkton, and friends we will be,"'
returned Caleb. r ri i6v
'sYes," added Bunkton, can If you won't fight
for yourself, Ill fight for you, fyou ever stand in
need of it,"
81 tell you, my men," said the captain, "thereis
=, certainly kinds of courage; and, after all
It don't know but Caleb Bakers is the best:' II
/ takes stronger and bigger heart To- hold It, at