The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-06-23

own safety, they would have a second
sight. Here my companion and myself
paced to and fro, many minutes, without
daring to break the silence that was only
marred by the whistling of the wind
through the naked rigging AT length |
ventured to remark:
A stormy night this, Dick !
Yes, but were we ten degrees to the
northward it might blow replied he,
but here with the cold and ice, we
stand chance o running foul
You have no fears of danger. here p
I next asked. H fau U 7 a
There's more danger than you have
any idea Of, boy. But what's that p
he exclaimed. peering into the mist be-
fore us. A ship as am sinner
Hard down! hard down hard / he
yelled, as if all depended on his being
heard. Ship ahead = In an instant the
captain was at our side.
Where is she, Dick 2
Dead ahead, sir, she was, but now
right off our lee bow e
Aye I see,' said the captain; but
what in the fury is she trying to do :?
cross our bows 2
I'D bet months wages she is,' re-
piled Dick.
Stand by your braces, there Boy,
run and get my trumpet, and call Mr..
Egan,' were the rapid orders that came
from the skipper as he jumped down on
deck. How does she head 2
'Sou'west by sou, half SOU, cried the
helmsman.
Let her off a point!'
Aye, aye, sir !
Where's the stranger, now, Dick !
said the captain, coming up to the fore
castle.
Same position-summut nearer was
Dicks brief reply.
By the gods she will run us down =
So she will, sir
The stranger now appeared nearer and
nearer, until we were able to perceive
that she was clipper of much greater
size than the Greyhound Her lookout.
if she had any, evidently did not keep
good eye to the windward, for she kept
on her course, which would bring her
across our bows. A collision seemed
inevitable. for at this moment espied an
iceberg on our weather bow. The only
course of action for us to pursue, was to
endeavor to pass the point we should
meet before she came down upon US
Our skipper saw this, for he Immediately
ordered the main topsail to be unfurled.
The sailors, with the second mate, ran
up the rigging. and lay out on the yard.
ship caught sight of US, and her course
was so altered that she could pass us, but
it would prove a very close shave.
In few moments our main topsail was
swung out in the breeze /; but at this mo-
ment the topmast cracked. and as the
men reached the deck, with loud clear
snap it parted from the mainmast and lay
over the side.
Cut away the wreck cried the cap
tain, through his trumpet.
Man overheard = yelled out one of
the men.
Let him go T answered the skipper.
The second mates killed / was the
next warning cry.
The captain ran to him, and lifting his
inanimate body in his arms, he hurried
him into the cabin. The poor fellow
was dead +; portion of the topmost
struck him as it parted from the stays,
and with no warning sent him into the
presence of his Maker
Where's the stranger now 2 said the
captain, coming from the cabin and DASH
ing tear from his eye. BY George,
we'll strike her. Ship ahoy 7
No answer the noise of the creaking
spars. the dashing of the waves, and the
wind s shrill whistle drowned his voice.
After few moments. the ships having
come somewhat nearer, he again hailed
them.
Aye, aye!' came from the stranger.
What the d are you trying to
do. run US down 2 yelled our skipper
through his trumpet. 4
| With all eagerness we waited his re-
ply. 1t was:
Our wheels broke =
Then may God have mercy on our
souls y cried our captain. What ship ?
Belgrade, of Boston
My God. it is my fathers vessel ?
Lay us aboard. will you ! was the
next cry from the stranger.