Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-01-13
CHAPTER Ii.
woLFGANG.

CHAPTER IL.
woLFGANG.
Maurice Lester was near the starbosrd gang
way when the ship struck, having started all
to look to the helm. The shock threw him
upon his back, aud be tried to get up but ere
he could regaiu his feet the food of mad wa
ters came Surging over the bark, and be was
throHu--be knew not where He only knew
that the food came-that it caught him IN its
giant grasp--that it hurled bin as the gale
hurls feather-that his nead was huft-that
his body was tossed and bruised-ant then the
lamp of his consciousness went oct. Wien he
came to himself it was daylight, ana the rays
ot the sun were beamlDg above him. a. first
he did not attempt to move, and further thaG
simply to assure himself that he 77as really
alive and sensible but sought % recall the
events of the past, which he DID, very clearly,
up to the time when his ship struct upon the
rocks be could go no farther. After this he
raised himself upon his elbow, and tried to gaze
abou' bin. He found himself upon bed of
sand, between two immense rocks He had
been landed there in that deep nook, and the
eide had gone out and left him. In a little
while be rose to his feet, and managed to crawl
up, by the aid Of stranded spar, over low
part Of one Of the rocks.
After seeing all that was to be observed
from this point, he moved on towards where be
thought he should soonest find an open beach,
for be felt faint and sick, and be wished 20 find
help IS soon as possible. After toling over
slippery, sliny rocks, and cruel, tearing crags,
until his cloathing was ali torn, aud his flesh
bruised and laeerated, be finally reached an
open space among the rocks, where msny pieces
OF the wreck had been lodged, aud where be
found the bodies of his men. He FASTENED to
the spot where they lay-two Of them being
clasped ia each others arms--but he found no
signs of life
With sad, heavy heart, Lester passed on,
and presently lie found two more dead ones,
aud one of them was David Griffin, bis chief
mate. lie kneeled down by the officers side,
and raised the head: but it was cold and life
less and the skull was broken Geutly he laid
1t back upon the sand, and then moved on
again. And be saw more dead men also -
Gould II be possible that he had been the only
one left alive?
Tia wait-What is this 1t moves-it has
life
Captain Lester hurried forward, as fast as
his feeble strength would permit, and found
two men laying by the side of heavy spar
One OF them was dead but the other gazed
up into his commanders face, and stretched
fourth his hands as though be would ask for
mercy. His name was Dick Mangel, and he
had been one of the best aeamen on board the
ship.
'Poor Dick !" said Lester, kneeling BY his
side and lifting his head. "Are you badly
hurt p
They've done it for us +" the sailor answer
ed, IN weakening voice. ,"They've killed
Tom. Amt be dead l'
1t was the body of stout Tom Bricket that
lay close by, and VIXEN the captain had made
himself sure that there was no particle of life
In u, ne reported the same to Dick.
'tBut," he added, s'what DO you mean -
Who has done you harm 7'
"Haven't you seen 'em !'' the man asked,
struggling for breath.
"Seeu whom2 What do you mean 2, de-
manded Lester, eagerly.
Dick started up to his elbow, and gszed
around but be seemed TO find nothing for
which he was looking, and be sank book again.
Had be not made this effert he might have
spokea further, but the act of rising had ex-
hausted him, and the last grain of strength was
leaving him.
"What do you mean?" cried Lester, as ho
saw that the poor fellow was sinking. "Has
any body harmed you 2"
Dick managed TO raise his hand to his head
Ito point above the left ear-and, as be did
so, he whispered
"Look ou.-they asked for the ospt'n. That's
where they struck !" He tried to speak furth-
or, but his voice failed hiu..
What could this meant Maurice Lester
started to his feei and gazed around. who
had killed bis men
The captain was disturbeS i. ais meditation
BY the sound of voices not far off, aud upon
turning he beheld four men coming up from
the water. He who came in advance was
tall, muscular man with gaunt, heavy frame;
somewhere about fifty or 6fty-6ve years of age;
and habited 10 garb Of blus cloth, cut into a
frock, or shirt, which Was secured al the waist
BY d broad pistol-belt.
Maurice Lester was startled when ne boheld
the stalwart leader and his three rufiauly COM
Panions aud, considering all the circum-
stances, 1t ls nc wonder that he WAS startled.
However, ne had no. much opportunity for re-