The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-06-01

of necessity cut short.
The ship, l ought TO have said, had
| been laid close to the wind, in order tc
claw On the English coast, to which we
were in dangerous proximity. AS the
gale increased, the heavy press of canvass
forced her down into the water, and she
struggled and groanod frightfully. While
the crew were at work, I walked forward.
The pillows, now increased to gigantic
size, came rolling down upon US, one af-
ter another. with such rapidity that our
good craft could scarcely recover from
one before another was upon her.
| Each time she struck o head-sea, she
woald stagger an instant, quivering in
every timber, while the crest of the shat
tered wave would shoot to the foretop like
the Jet of fountain: then, the vast
surge sinking away beneath her, she
would sink grooming into the trough of
the sea, until another billow lifted her,
another surge Numbered against her
brows, another shower of spray flew
over
Now then, whei larger wave than
usual was seen approaching the cry, Hold
on all! rang warningly across the decks
At such times that vast billow would ap-
proach, its head towering in the gathering
twilight, until it threatened to engulf us;
but, just when all seemed over. our ship
would spring forward to meet it, like a
horse started by the spur. and the noun
tain of water would break over and
around us, Kissing, roaring and flashing
by, and then sinking into the apparently
bottomless gulf beneath us. Meanwhile
the decks were resounding with the tread
of the sailors, as they hurried to and fro,
in obedience to the captains orders;
while the rafting of blocks, the shouts Of
command, and the quick replies of the
seamen rose above the bowling Of the
storm.
Let 90 the bowlines, cried the stem
tnrian voice of the captain, ease off the
tack-baul on the weather-braces.'
Away went tho huge sail, in obedience
to the order.
Ease off the shoet--haul up to lee
wardr
The crew worked with redoubled ener-
gy and soon the immense courses were
slowed away. In few moments the
ships canvass was reduced to reefed top
sails, spanker, and fore topmast, staysails.
By this time evening had set in, tho the
the long twilight ofthat latitude produc-
ed sickly radiance.
But even this contraction of sail was
ct sufficient. The thick duck tugged at
the yards as if it would snap in two.
Every moment l expected to see the
spanker go.
I'VE must take in that SAIL said the
captain, cor she will tear herself to
pieces
AL bands in with the spankerp
In an instant the men were struggling
with the huge sheet, and never before
had been so forcibly impressed with the
power and use of discipline. In an in
credibly short time the gigantic sail, now
withstanding its struggling, was got I'M
der control and safely slowed.
The ship now labered less for while
but as the storm increased, she groaned
and struggled as before.
The captain did not appear satisfied
with taking in the spanker; indeed, al
feared that the ship could not carry what
sail was left. Accordingly he ordered
the topsails to be close reefed; yet even
after this the vessel tore through the wa
tiers like q race-horse. The wind had
now increased to perfect hurricane. L
shrieked and howled around, as if ter
thousand fiends were abroard on the
blast.
! In moments of extreme peril, strong
natures gather together, as if by some Sc
cret instinct. 1t was from this reason
that the captain suddenly found himsel
near the top man, with whom | had beer
conversing in the early part of the even
ing, and who, it appeared, was one Q
the Oldest and best seamen on board.
The captain stood by the mans side
| full minute, without speaking, looking a
the wild waves that, like hungry wolves
came trooping down toward US.
How far are we from the coast? b
said at last.
Perhaps, five miles, sir quietly re
piled the man.
j, And we have long run TO make b
fore we get sea room,' said the captain.
Wa shall be in eternity before morn
ing answered the man solennly