The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-05-31

Smith. The next instant the huge bow Of
the ship rose upon a monstrous swell, loom
ing high and black above them like float
ing mountain. In its descent, it struck
the boat amid8hipS, chrushing it to atoms,
and scattering the fragments far and
wide in the boiling surf. Fortunate
ly, the bow of the ship was plunging in
stead of rising, when she struck the boat,
bringing the martingale and head gear al
most on a level with the water. This
chance Of escape was instantly seized by
the brave boys and their father, and as the
bow once more rose on the swell, it lifted
them clear of the boat before she was
struck. They were in on deck in an in
slant, but no one was to be seen the ship
had been abandoned. The scene ahead
wasappealing, the breakers running noun
tans high, and breaking over the reef with
terrific violence. The ship, with close
reefed mainlopsail set, was running upon
certain destruction. The distance from
the reef was scarcely mile five minutes
more and she must inevitably strike
Smith took hasty glance around, Then
flying to the wheel, quick as thought he
put the helm hard down. The ship slow
ly obeyed the helm, and came up to the
wind.
is there any chance, fathcr?' asked
the boys, who had followed him aft to the
wheel.
Il don't know; if l can bring her into
the passage, there is. But ten feet either
way will bring her on to the rocks, and
she wont hold together FIVE minutes. Go
for ard and see if the starboard bow is
clear for running
Yes, father, it's all clear-only hangs
by the ring stopper
Then jump for'ard with your knife,
and stand by to cut it away the instant l
sing out to you. Your life depends on its
being done at the right time
AS the ship came plunging nearer to
the reef, her fate seemed sealed one un-
broken line of foam stretched for miles on
either side of her, with no appearance Of
any passage whatever; even Smith, expe-
rienced as he was, began to feel some doubt
as to whether the passage was before him
or not. On, on she came like arace horse
She was only Ter own length from the
rocks; one more plunge would decide
her fate-she was fairly among the brea-
kers. Smith clenched his teeth firmly
together, as he jammed the helm hard
down. A heavy sea broke over the quar-
ter deluging the deck. A tremendous
crash on the starboard bow as she grazed
the end of reef, and she was through
the passage. Another minute, and the
ship lay as quietly as a boat in the smooth
water of the bay while but three cables
length astern foamed and ragged the fright
full breakers. The anchor was dropped,
and the ship was in safety.
The absence of the ships boats accoun-
ted for the disappearance of the crew
Seeing the breakers ahead, and the appar'
ent impossibility of saving the vessel, they
had taken to the boats, and made the bes
of their way to the smooth water at the
other extremity of the island, into which /
1 would have been impossible to bring tho
shin, as sufficient sail could not have beer
put upon her to accomplish it.
The next morning broughtfne weather
and with it revenue cutter, to see wha
brought the ship into such an unusual po
! sition.
, We'll, Smith, said the revenue officer
: after he had heard the particulars, 'you'v
: made good thing of it this time. Thi
is better than digging gold. Your clair
Z for salvage isn't worth a copper less tha
: sixty thousand dollars
D Le-Cuheh IN exchange, or VIC WIN Sell tow IOI'
cash. J. I, HOLIDAY d Co.
Mash 90, '55 Lift