Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-03-11

sANJ Nit AAHi; sDuOl HE uullOIm hiIlu-
ness soon put a stop to these outward
manifestations, and the feelings of the
crew were expressed by their looks
Bunkton took every occasion he could
find to annoy the young man, for he had
taken his oath that he would have a
fght out of the coward yet" The rest
of the crew might have let the matter
pass. had not Bunkton's continued beha.
vior kept alive the idea Of Bakers cow
ardice.
None save himself knew the great
struggle that went on in the young mans
bosom; but he had resolved that he would
not fight, except in actual and necessary
self defence, and he adhered to his prin-
ciple. He performed his duties faithful
ly, and Captain Jacobs was forced to ad-
nit that, though Baker was a coward, he
was yet a good sailor.
Thus matters passed until the ship had
doubled the Cape Of Good Hope, and
entered the Indian Ocean. 1t was to
ward the close Of "a day that had been
sultry and oppressive, that a ftful breeze
Esprang up from the southwark. 1t came
in quick, cool gusts. and the broad cam
vass only Mapped before it.
= We are likely to have a blow soon"
remarked the mate.
Not much, | Think" returned the
captain, as he took a survey Of the hori-
zon. This. splitting will soon die away.
and | think the wind viii then come out
from the westrd. However, it may be
well enough to shorten sail. You NAV
take in the t'gallants'ls and close reef the
topsls.' g
This order was quickly obeyed, and,
as the captain had predicted, the splitting
gusts died away, but there was no wind
came out from 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 a great black cloud rolling up from
the southwark. It soon hung over the
ship like a black pail, and the men began
to tie frightened. The captain was called
but before he came en- deck there came a
crash as though the very heavens had
been rent in sunder. The old ship trem-
bled in every joint, and q 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 fan
tastic streams.
1.-THE foremost is struck z shouted one
of the men. "See where its head is shiv-
cred p
All eyes were turned to the spot. and
by the next wild fash the men could see
that q dangerous havoc had been made
with the mainmast. The cap was SHY.
cred, the starboard cheek was nearl.,
stripped off, and the trestlstrees were
qulyer!Gg. Ot cosrso the heavy topmast
was only hci,u III its place by the dubious
tfestletrees, and the main-top threatened
every instant to come laundering down
upon the deck, with the long topmast and
topgallantmast in its company. Such a
catastrophe would surely prove fatal to
the ship, and all were aware of it.
But while all hands were gazing at
this another 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 wind was upon them
The ship leaped like a frightened stag be-
fore the gale. The mate cut the main
topsail sheets, and the sail was snapped
into ribbons. The foretopsail was clewed
up, and the ship got before the wind.
The lightning cloud was swept away.
and it was dark as Erebus. The wind
howled fearfully, but there was one sound
more fearful than that. 1t was the
creaking Of the shattered trestletrees, as
the fd Of the topmast bore down upon
them.
20, God !" CALCULATED Captain Jacobs,
if the trestletrees give way we are
lostl Harkl Hear them labor!"
Away up aloft, in the impenetrable
darkness, stood the giant topmsst, and
all felt that it could rot stand there
long. The msn crowded aft, and with
painfully beating hearts they heard the
mast labor,
If we could bring the ship broadside
to-" said the mate, the weather rigging
might be cut, and the mast would go
overheard
"True, true" returned the captain,
6 but who shall 60 aloft and do the job :?
There would be no foo.held in the top,
for that will 60 with a crash. The ire. :
t~letrees are already shattered.''
eff you will port the helm, I will
make the trial." cried a clear, strong
voice, which was at once recognized as
Caleb Bakers.
1t will be sure death" said Jacobs.
Then let it be So returned Caleb.
Tiff succeed the rest of you may be
saved; but now we are all in danger
Port the helm, and l will CO."
Caleb took the axe from the mizzen.
mast, and soon his form was lost in the
darkness, as he moved towards the star
board rigging. The helm was put a port
and the ship gradually gave her star
!, board side to the gale. Soon the blow
of an x was heard-then another blow
i MAS heard, There was a fearful strain