The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1859-12-28

wards rne--saw her then, with my eyes
open, as have often seen her in my
sleeping dream!--" ...
At this point the captain was cut short
IN his speech by the cry of "LIaHT-Hol"
from the deck. They hurried up and
found the men crowding forward.
"What is it 2" Lester asked.
II think it is light, sir, replied
Parker. "Here, sir,-just stand here
Now turn your eye about four points up
on the larboard bow. Wait, now, till
she rises. -Ha-there There ?--See -
Did you see it, sir p"
Yes--he had seen it, and he knew it
must be light upon the shore: but it
was great way off. He watched until
he had seen it several times, and then he
| remarked to bis mate that it must be
lighthouse. The light was bold and
distinct, and evidently at considerable
height above the level of the sea; for,
had it not been SOFT could hot have been
seen at that distance. After short con-
sultatiou, during which reference was
had to the chart of the Northumberland
coast, it was decided that this light must
be upon Dorton Point. To the north of
Dortoa, as the captain knew from per-
sonal experience, as well as from the
chart, there was snug harbor, of easy
entrance. These things were settled.
AS soon as it had been determined
where the light was, Captain Lester
made all possible haste to determine his
course at action. Had the thing been
practicable, he would have laid his ship
tt; bu, that could not he done. No one
even gave it serious thought. So it
was determined that the ship should
stand on. at least till sometbing,further
was discovered
AT half past twelve the gale had mod
Grated considerably. The light was now
to be seen very plainly whenever tie
ship rose, and the captain and his Off
GERS felt sure that they were right in
their calculations.
cat all events said the former" eve
have no choice but to stand on, at
least--'
He was interrupted by cry from the
bows that made every soul start with
horror:
BREAKERS BREAKBRs r
Captain Lester leaped forward, and in
very few moments he was satisfied that
the warning had not been false one; for
Ae. could not only hear the awful roar Of
the breaking seas, bat be fancied that he
could see the cleaning of the white foam
as it flew high in the air. AS quickly
as possible the topsail was taken off, and
the anchors cut loose. The ponderous
grapplings plunged into the Kissing sea,
and the iron cables were spun through
the hawse-holes like lightning. Snap
went the larboard chain; and in mo-
ment more u shock was felt as the lar
board anchor found bottom; but it could
not hold. The cable parted as though
it had been hemp string, aud On swept
the devoted ship.
ain heavens name!' gasped Griffin,
"what does this mean? See! The light
is still burning as brightly as ever-at
least league away yet here are
the rocks direely under our bows! What
can it mean q
Maurice Lester did not ans wer, but an
old weuthsr-beaten sailor, who stood at
the wheel, and who had looked thou
sand dangers in the face, answered tor
him:
"Ir's WRECKsn's BEACON: I've seen
such things afore. There amt no use in
FIRM the gun, sir. That light was put
theret o lead poor Jack to his death, that
the coast-sharks might pick his bones!'
"BREAKERsl Ro0Ks!-- On the STAR
board 6oaol-Noi--On the larboardi-
PoRTl"
But it was too late for mortal help
The ship had met her doom. She went
upon the rocks with crash that sounded
high above the roar of the elements
CHAPTER II.
wOLFGANG.
Maurice Lester was near the starboard
gang-way when the ship struck, having
started aft to look to the helm. The
shock threw him upon his back, and
he tried to get up; but ere he could re-
gain his feet the food of mad waters
came surging over the bark, and he was
thrown--he knew not where. He only
knew that the flood came-that it caught
him in its giant grasp-that it hurled
him as the gale hurls feather-that
his head was hurt-that his body was
tossed and bruised-and then the lamp
of his consciousness went out, When he