The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-31
LIrERATURH.


married first Mr. Thornton shook his head
and said no. But he had another plan. which he
said would be better. lie had been planning to
visit Copenhagen, where he had two brothers
and he said no would take the next ship, and
bring Carrie out with HIM. and we should be
married there. ! finally consented TO take out
the new ship, and Mr.. Thornton, with hls daughter,
was to meet me in Copenhagen, and there we
were to be married, and all three coaie home TO-
gether. The evening before sailed spent with
Carrie, and when left her felt that was leaving
my very life. ,,r
.Wen,' continued Lester, wiiping his eyes, II
went to Copenhagen. lwaited month--then
beard that the American ship White Fawn, with
William Thornton and daughter on board. had
touched at Dover, and that all were safe and wei.
when she left. WAITED another week, and then
crossed over to Hamburg; but could learn no
thing there. Next went to London, and there
learned enough to assure me that the ship had
been lost. On the second day after she left Dover
severe storm had arisen. and several vessels had
been reported lost | sent my ship home IL charge
Of the mate, and spent four months in searching
after the lost ones; but ! could gam no trace Of
them. Not even piece OF the wreck could
fndnOt mark Of tie ship nor OF one OF its crew.
came home with sad and heavy heart"
Maurice Lester stopped few moments, AMI
bowed his head upon his bands, for his feelings had
almost overcome him. la a little while, however,
he looked mp again, and added, in touching
tone
"Ah, my dear friend. YOU do not know what l
have suilered-toDgue cannot tell it, nor can pen
write it. That blow did break my heart broke it
IN the rending Of its ;eaderest cords, and in the
crushing OF all its earthly hopes. Do you believe
in dreamsg
The mate started not so much at the character
OF the question as from the Sudden niannerin which
ii was put.
"Well," said Lester, IN lower tone, have had
dream repeated many times, but never La it
come to me so directly and So wildly AS within the
past three or four days Carrie Thornton IL not
jandf linz I'm Il lin hasA lrA1t IN
repeatedly ia dream, and calls upon me to save
her. Tonight, az stood ali alone by the mizzen
rigging, trying to peer out into the thick gloom,
heard her voice as plainly as sou now bear nine.
and she called out tor me 70 save her. or course
what followed was mere fancy, though even that
affected me much | thought l saw her standing,
not far off, upon huge sea, with her arms stretch
ed imploringly towards me--saw heryAen, with my
eyes open, as have often seen her In my sleeping
dream -
AT this point the captain was cut short ia bis
speech by the cry of .elight-ho.' from the deck.
They hurried NJ and found the men crowdng for
ward,
"What is it," Lester asked.
~ think it is light, sir,' replied Parker. "Here,
sr--jUst stand here. Now turn your eye about four
points upon The larhoard bow. Wait. now, till she
rises. Ha-there = there?-See!--Did you see it,
SIM
Yes-he had seen it; and he knew il must be a
light upon the shore; but il was great way Off
He watched until he had seen it several times and
~
lighthouse The light was bold and distinct aud
evidently at considerable height above the level
OF the sea; for, had it not been so, could not have
been seen at that distance. After short consul
taton, during which reference was bad to the chart
of the Northumberland coast, it was decided that
this light must he upon Dorton Point. 10 the north
OF Dorton, as the captain knew from personal eX
perience, 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 ell possible haste
to determine his course of action Had the thing
been practicable he would have laid his ship TO;
but that could not be done. No one even gave it q
serious thought. So it was determined that the
ship should stand on, at least till something further
was discovered.
At halfpast twelve the gale had moderated con-
siderably The light was now to be seen very
plainly whenever the shin rose, aid tbe captain and
his officers felt sure that t.cy were right in their
calculations.
cat all events" said the former. "we have no
choice but TO stand o. at ieast----'
lie was interrupted hv cry from the bows that
made every soul start with horror:
Breakers! Breake.!'
Captsin Lester eaped forward and in very few
moments he was saastied taat the warning had not
been i:Ise one; for he could not ouly hear the
awful roar of the breaking seas but he fancled
that he could see the siean,ing OF the white foam
IL flew high in the air. AS quickly Us possible
The topsail was taken off, and the anchors cut
loose. The ponderous grapplings plunged into the
Kissing sea, and the iron cables spun through
the bawseholes like lightning. Snap went the star
hoard chain; and in moment more O shock was
felt as the lafhoard anchor found bottom; but it
could not hold. The cable parted as though it Lad
been hempen string, and on swept the devoted
ship.
''fn heavens panel gaspcd Griffin "what does
this meang See! 1he light is still burning as
brightly as ever-at least a league away--and yet
here are the rocks directly uuder our bows! WHAT
can IT mean?"
Maurice Lester did not answer; but an old, wea-
ther-beaten sailor, VINO stood at the wheel and
who had looked thousand dangers ia the face, an.
swered for him.
.'Its Wrecker's Beacon! I've seen such things
afore There amt no use in arin the gun sir.
That light was put there 10 lead poor Jack to his
death that the coGstshatks might pick his bones Y
Breakers! Rocks = On tho starboard bow -
10 On the larboard !-Port.'
But it was toe late for mortal help. The ship had
met her doom. She went UPON the rocks with q
crash that sounded high above the roar Of the ele-
mentS,