St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-07-14
" "Wsstbarb tbe Course Of Gmpi TAKES its dotap

if possible" he exclaimed, addressing
the second-mate, "but | greatly fear
she will not tack under the short sail
we are carrying, and it would be i'm
possible to pay her off with this sea
against her Ice bow, even if we had
room to wear. However we have no
time to waste in words. Is the port
watch on deck ?"
Yes sir"
lnen = en-, see s2Sd let tue tie men Sn~3 work with
a will. Station for stays /! +" he shout
ed
The men ran to their posts for tack.
ing ship, the second mate stood by the
lee braces, and the helm was put down,
but there was SO little sail on the ship
that she luffed up very slowly. As
she gradually came up into the wind
the voices of the crew were hushed
and all silently watched the foretop-
sail, for they knew that if the ships
head went round the other way, the
danger was over.
The head sails began to shiver lit
tie, then they filled again, and the
ship seemed to be going off in spite of
her helm, which was jammed hard to
leeward. Thus she continued with
out coming square into the winds
eye, till Warner saw that it would be
impossible to tack her, and that if
she came fairly head to wind she would
only fill aback, and go sternforemost
to leeward. So he Immediately deci-
ded upon another course.
make fast the braces. Hcave up
your wheel and let her fill again, Mr..
Gray" he continued, as the second
mate came aft, eve shall get her in
irons if we attempt to stay her as she
is now. We must either make more
sail or club haul her, and prefer the
latter alternatives" He then stepped
forward to the break of the poop and
addressed the men,
Boys, you all understand the dan
ger Of our position as well as | can
tell you. Now | wish You to refrain
from talking, obey my orders prompt
ly, and work with a will. If you do
this, | can save the ship, and | know
that | may rely upon you in this cmcr-
gcncy."
Aye, aye, sir y was the hearty
and unanimous assent
"That's right nay brave fellows :;
now away tor'ard, rouse up the chain
from the larboard locker MIR. Gray,
see that thirty iathom OF it is ranged
for'ard of the windlass and unshackled
from the rest Of the chain, thcn stop
per it to the bits with the end of our
large Manila hawser, get the port AN
chor over the bow, shackle on the ca.
BILE, and have everything clear tol
: letting go. Bear hand, my heartics,
and do everything upon honor, for
our lives depend upon that anchor aud
chain. Jump into the main chains a
smart hand, and heavc the lead
BY this time the passengers had by
some means become aware of thciI
danger, and many of them had rushed
on deck only to shrink back in terror
: at the sight presented to their view.
The fog had entirely cleared away
and now ahead and to lecward, the
white caps Of the breakers as they
leaped among the ragged rocks, were
- plainly in sight, and like distant thun
der their appalling roar fell upon the
ear.
Mr.. Lemaire and Eugenia were
among the first to come on deck, ant
now stood holding by the weather
: quarter rail. Mr.. Warner being TEN
porarily disengaged, advanced towarc
them the merchant grasped his hanC
withou: speaking, while Eugenia look
ed up in bis face with an expression
of trust and confidence on her Lowell,
: countenance, and asked
$ "Do you think We are really il
q danger
"No, Miss Eugenia, we are not ye
e in danger, and if the evolution whicl
q we shall soon make, is successful, W,
e shall safely weather that ugly pile o
:. rocks"
l. Then / am sure we shall be saved
I for know you will not fail to guild,
the ship away from danger, unless i
e is beyond the power Of human skill
and courage to accomplish it," wa
d the cheerful reply.
t, 81 thank you for your confidence il
It me, and may God grant that the even
y do not prove you to have been too san
guine. We should be prepared 70
It the worst that may happen, but it /
?, also well to hope for the best, and
c am glad to see you so cheerful instea
t. of giving away to unavailing despai
(, as many would do under like ciscuu
d stances"
o Eugenia, the deck is not the prope
t. place for you now, wish you to II
s- turn to the cabin said Mr.. Lemalr'
r. Perhaps you can inluse some {
your courage into the other ladic
H. who are making such loud lament;
tions," added Warner, permit me
is lead you before" aud SO saying i
took her hand in his and gently Dire
'e her away from her fathers side.
y When he returned, Mr.. Lemail
v, earnestly asked him.
as "Now, sir tell me truly, is there
"a probable, or even possible chance
averting our danger!"
n "Yes, sir, think the ship will |
as saved. | am intending to club ha
as her as soon as we reach water sho
be enough to give US hold with the a
Ks chor.'
er Here the leads-man who had be,
Up crying, "No ground" at every ca
:. of the lead, sang out,
&C. "Ten fathom."
to 81 have full confidence in my mel
te, continued Warner. and if we
ed about successfully, we shall be at
Ter by making more sail to lay we'll
a windward of yonder point"
he And if she does not go about, wh
IN. them"
of Then, sir, in half an hour frc
a this we shall be dashed in piec
ice among the breakers but we ha
ed boats, and some might be saved. Y
he may rest assured that there is moi
man on board who would not willir