The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-01-05
CHAP TER II.
WOI.FGANG.

Maurice Lester was near the star board
gangway when the ship struck, having start
ed att to look TO the helm. The shock threw
him upon his back, and he tried to get up;
but ere he could regain his feet the flood of
mad waters came surging over the bark, and
ne was thrown-he knew not where. He
only knew that the flood came-that it
caught him in its giant grasp-tha; it hurled
him as gale hurls feather-that his head
was hurt-that his body was tossed aud brui
sed--and then the lamp of his consciousness
went out When he came to himsel! it was
daylight, and the rays of the sun were beam
ing above him. At first he did not attempt
10 move any further than simply 10 assure
himself that he was really alive and sensible;
but sought TO recall the events of the past,
which he did very clearly, up to the time
when his ship struck upon the rocks; he could
go no further. After this. be raised himself
upon his elbow, and tIied to gaze about
blm. lie found himself upon bed of sand,
between two immense rocks He had been
landed there in that deep nook, and the tide
had gone out and lett him. In little while,
he rose to his feet, and mana ged to crawl
up by the aid OF a stranded spar. over the
low part OF one of the rocks.
After seeing all that was to be observed
from this point, he moved on towards where
he thought he should soonest find an open
beach, for he felt faint and sick. and he wish
ed to find help soon as possible. After
toiling over slippery. Shiny rocks, and cruel.
tearing crags, until his clothing was all worn
and his flesh bruised and lacerated, he final
" reached an open space among the rocks,
whero many pieces OF the wreck had been
lodged, and where he found the bodies OF
three of his men. He has.enad TO the spot
where they lay-two of them being clasped
in each Others arms-but he found no signs
Of f..
With sad. heavy heart, Lester passed on,
and presently he found two more dead ones.
and one of them was David Griffin, his chief
mate He kneeled down by the officer S
side, and raised the head; but it was cold and
lifeless. and the skull was broken. Gently
he laid it back upon the sand, and then NOV
ed on again. And he saw more dead men
also. Could it be possible that he had been
the only one left alive?
Ha, wait--what IS this? It nnoves-it has
life.
Captain Lester hurried forward as fast as
/ his feeble strength would permit, and found
two men lying By the side of a heavy spar
! One of them was dead; but the other gazed
up into his commanders face, ami stretched
& II
mercy. His name was Dick M4ngle, and be
had been one of the best seaman on board
the ship.
Poor Dick said Lester, kneeling by hi:
side and lifting his head. Are you badl,
hurt?'
They've done it for u.s." the sailor an
swered in a weakenin. voice. Tney ve
killed Tom. Amt he dead?'
II was the BODY of stout Tom Brick e.
that iay close BY, and when the Captain had
made himselfsure that there was 10 particle
of life in it. he reported the same to Dick
"But," he aided, what do you meane--
Who has doae you harme''
Haven't you seen 'em?" the man asked
struggling for breath.
"Seen whom?' Wla: do you mean?" de-
manded Lester, eagerly.
/ Dick started up to his elbow, and gazed
around; bu. he seemed to find nothing 70,
which he was looking. and he sank back
again. Had he no. made this effor: he nigh
have spoken further, bu. the act OF rising had
exhausted him. and the last grain of strength
was leaving him.
What do you means" cried Lester. as hs
saw the poor fellow was sinking. HAS any
bodv harmed you?"
/ Dick managed to raise his hand to hi.
head--to point above the lett ea,--and a:
he did SO, he whispered
/ "Look out-they asked for the CAPITA
/ That's where they struck He tried Il
speak further. but his voice failed him.
What could this mean? Maurice Leste
started to his feet aud gazsd around. Whs
had killed his men,
The Captain was disturbed in his medita