Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-04-13
PERIL OFF CAPE HORN.
BIT ii. W. TROwBRIDGE


ter-deck Of the beautiful clipper GreyhCu0d.
Ay, ay, sir' was the cheerful response of
the brave tars.
" Lower away for your lives, clew 'em up,
Clew up the royals fore and aft, - was the next
Ordor, which was rs cheerfully complied with.
We were soon standing to the southwark
under bare poles. The weather was extremely
cold, and ice in large quantities had collected
on the deck. The rigging was one mass Of ice
indeed, so completely frozen were the braces,
that the cook was compelled TO keep a cauldron
Of water continually boiling, to use in thawing
the Ice that collected on them and in the brace
blocks. The gale continued in all its fury. and
it was evidently on the increase; but the Grey
hound bore on with it were, a stern resolu-
tiOr never to say die.
The men, almost frozen. collected in groups
around the deck. while the constant warning
cry Of the look on the ,opgallant forecastle
often startled them from the stupor into which
they had fallen. Were it not for the frequent
calls upon them to perform some work about
the ship, they would no doubt have fallen into
that deep sleep from which one seldom if ever
awakens
Iceberg' ahead yelled the lockout
Hard down your helm.'
down il isl
We all gazed eagerly into the deep darkness
that surrounded the ship, and caught glimpse
Of a heavy white mass, which we had that mo-
ment passed. L trembled; for was aware that
the ship touched any of these bergs, it were
certain destruction for all of us.
Two of you 60 up there and relieve the
lookout" was the next order.
jumped to obey him. in company with an
old whaleman, for imagined that, were my
eyes looking out for my own safety, they would
have a second sight. Here my companion and
myself paced to-and fro, many minutes without
daring to break the silence that was only
marred by the whistling Of the wind through
the naked rigging At length l ventured to
remark:
A stormy night this. Dick,
Yes, but we're We ten degrees to the north
ward 1t might blow replied he, :" but here
with the cold and Ice, we stand chance O
You have no fears of danger have you"
next asked
There's more danger here than you have
any idea of, boy. But, what's that?' be ex-
claimed psering into the mist before us "A
chip as I'm a sinner, Hard down, hard
down hard" he yelled, as if all depended
upon his being heard. ship ahead ~ In an
instant the captain was at his side
Where is she, Dick"
dead ahead, sir, she was, but now right of
our lee bow"
Aye see - said the captain s.but what
in fury is she trying to do p cross our bows,''
I'd bet a months wages she is?" replied
Dick.
''Stand by your braces there Boy. run
and get my trumpet, and call Mr.. Egan ~
were the rapid orders that came from the skip
per- as ne jumped down on deck, How does
'SOu'west by SOU half SOU, sir :" cried the
helnsman.
Let her of point!''
Aye, aye, sir -
Where's the stranger now, Dick ," said the
captain, coming up on tie forecastle.
Same position sommut nearer.' was
Dick brief reply.
by the gods, she III run US down.
So she will, sir"
The stranger now approached nearer and
nearer, until we were able to perceive that she
was a clipper, Of much more tonnage than the
Greyhound Her lOokouts, if any she had
evidently did not keep good eye to the wind
ard for she kept On her course, which would
bring hef across our bows. A collision seemed
inevitable, for at this moment espied an ice
berg on our weather bow The only course of
action for Us to pursue was to endeavor to pass
the point we should meet before she came down
upon US.
Our skipper saw this, for be immediately or
dered the main tOpsail to be unfurled The
sailors with the second mate ran up the rig
ging, and lay out on the yard. AT this mo-
ment the lookout on the other ship caught
sight OF us, and her course was altered so that
che could pass US, but it would prove a very
- close shave"
In few moments our main tOpsail swung
out to the breeze but at this moment the top
mast cracked, and as the man reached the deck.
with loud, clear snap, it parted from the
maInmast and lay over the side.
Gut away that wreck ?" cried the captain
through his trumpet
Man overheard ~ yelled one of the men.
Let him go !" answered the skipper
The second mates killed. was the next
warningcry
The captain ran to him, and lifting his inan-
innate body in his arms he carried him into the
csoIns The poor fellow was dead; portion
OF the toPmast struck him as it parted from the
stays, and with no warning, sent him into the
presence Of his Maker,
here's the stranger now ?' said the cap.
tain, coming from the cabin, and dashing a
tear from his eye. "By George, we'n strike
her. Ship ahoyi :"
the dashing Of the waves, and the winds shrili
wnisue, drowned his voice. After few mo-
ments, the ships having approached somewhat
nearer, he sgained hailed them
Aye, aye" came from the stranger
nat In = are you trying TO do-run us
down :" yelled our skipper through his trum.
With all eagerness we awaited the reply 1t
was
"0ur wheels broke e."
Then may God have mercy on your soul -
cried our captain. What ship %
Belvade, of Boston"
My God, it is my fathers vessel,'
Lay US aboard, will yOu!' was the next
cry from the stranger.
dare not even for your sake"
The next moment the stranger swung around
to the wind, and We struck her on her brow
A loud crash told the result We had slit her
AS both the ships recoiled from the shock the
strangers bow fast settled in the sea, Again
We came together, and in an instant the Bel
vade bow was below the waves. She raised
herself with a mighty effort. and AZ sbe strnct
the third time, with the mingled shrieks and
groans Of over twenty souls, she plunged into
the trough of the sea, and was seen no more.
Not person on board Of her lived TO tell the
tale Of horror that must have ensued
Three feet Of water in our hold ~ screamed
the carpenter almost dead with fright
Man the pumps
Cheerfully the set at their work and
soon the sharp "click, elack," of the pumps
was heard above the bowling of the storm. 1t