The Trinity times., 1855-06-09

| some sort or other on the Black Spine, yon-
| DER
4 wasn't long putting on my rough and
ready, can tell YOU, and was just going ou
o doors, when Esther elapped me on the
arm. Poor girl, she was pale as a sheet, and
Tom she saws, 'don't-don't!
what . said J. not if there's any poor
souls in danger, and | can help save 'eml
Il didn't think of that said Esther but
whatever you do, take care of yourself for
my sake,' she SAID, and his'-and she point.
ed to the cradle.
well. sir, promised wouldn't run into
any danger if | could help it. just then an
other gun came booming across the water,
and | could see the flash. That's from the
Black Spine,' said, sure enough and
gave Esther just one kiss, and followed Lar
kins down 10 the beach. 1t wasn't plea
SAM thing by any means. The waves were
coming in three abreast, and dashlng up the
snrov enouoh 10 blind one; and to wndward
was a gathering OF wild black clouds that
showed there was more storm to come yet
Some of our people were on lhe oeacn LOOK
ING out; but it was all they were dong.
tom said Larklns, laying his hand on my
shoulder. poor fellow-'Iom, ours is tough
boat That was all he said, bet knew what
he meant. He was a brave fellow, sir, rs
ever steered, and none the worse for being
religious, though he had to bear good deal
because of it. Tom, ours is tough boat,
said he.
SAY, tough enough I said; and if we
could get her fairly aAoat, and well manned,
something might be done, perhaps
well, sir, to make short work of the story.
we did get the little craft adoat at last but
not a man was there to join us. They all
cried out that we were mad to think of get
ting out to the Black Spine such a night as
that; and what could we do whom we got
there? But it didn't matter. Pull away,
Larkins, said; for we didn't dare put up a
sail and a few strokes Of the oars carried us
a good bit from shore. ! shall never forget
that minute sir; it was too dark to see much
that was going on but just then heard a
scream. and cry of Tom, Tom.' 1t was
poor Esther, my young wife. Somebody had
gone TO my cottage, and told her what was
gcinr on; and she had run down, half beside
herself. though whether twas to stay me from
going. or to say. Go, and God bless you,
vas more than she could rightly have told,
mayhap. stood up in the boat, and shouted
out as cheerfully as could and then we be-
oan TO pull away again in right earnest. Our
little boat stood it bravely, and floated like Il
cork. though we had shipped water enough at
first to make us in doubt whether "e should
ever get to the rocks; but when we'were right
out. she was like seagull on the "aves. OF
course we didn't waste much time talking:
but lust one word or two Larkins spoke.
''rom,' said he, Il am Almost sorry !
tempted YOU to this trip. II anything hap
pens there's nobody much TO miss me but
YOU have young wife and baby
'Wel, sir, you may suppose had been
Thinking about Esther and the young one too;
but before | could say word, another gun
was fired from the vessel, which we now and
then caught sight OF when our boat was Oh
the top OF Il wave.
q doa't tnnw aNwas but
we neared the s. they hove
us line to make fast y tie rocks We're
well under water then, for the tide was in,
and our little craft ioated alongside OF the
vessel to leeward and somehow managed
to board her, leaving my partner to take what
care he could of the boat. 1t was bad
move that, sir, as it turned out for the men
aboard were all beside the uselyes, some with
drink, and some with fear
The wreck was Hiddlihg sized brig, 4
foreigner-t that was plain enoughj and j, was
plain enough, too, that it was all over with
her. 1t was wonderful TO me how she had
lived so long, for she was stove in at the bow, f.,
and her stern hung over deep water, but she
was settling down fast, and the crew were
crowded together in the fore part, except
one or two who were hanging on 10 the
shrouds.
There was not much light; but there was
enough to show that no time was to be lost
aud the briggs crew saw that too. shouted
and shouted, but one after another they sprang
over the side OF the wreck, some into the boat
and some into the sea. 1t was not five mi
nutes, sir, before the deck was cleared. How
many there had been aboard ! couldn't tell.
nor how many missed footing in the boat
and were washed sway without giving a
chance Of saving them; but when | looked
down, there was our little bark, sunk almost
down to the gun'l, and the madmen crowd
ing and tumblng one upon another saw
at once how it wonld be, and hailed them
as loud as could, and begged some Of them
to come back again. Iou see, sir, theie
would have been some hope then. The
wreck might have held together for q while,
ana III TWO llips IL NouIu nave OCSh Iitditu
But whether the men did not hear me, or
didn't heed can't say; or perhaps they did
not understand me, for, as ! said, could see
they were foreigners let that be as il may,
there was not one to listen to reason. When
| found that, sir, called to my poor partner
to quit the boat; for, bad as it was, there was
more hope Of life by keeping TO the wreck.
always thought he did make a move, sir, to
wards the brig; but it was too late there
came Just then II swell, the line parted, the
boat foated off, and ! was left alone on the
wreck
In another minute, sir, lost sight Of the
boat, as il hoated away heavily. had not
any hope for il, knew what it could do but
in such a sea as that, and loaded as it was,
| knew 1t could not hold on. And vas
right. sir: it wasn't another minute before
heard such shreks as | hope ! shall never
hear again. The wind aud the dashing Of
the waves against the wreck was loud and
bad enough, but ABOVE all rose that shriek.-
| stopped my cars, sir: couldn't bear it.
I'll then, had not had much time to
think, all had passed So rapidly: but now, what