The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-05-16
B. B. BLACKWELL EDITOR.

waves, and passed within half dozer
fathoms to the leeward
| "With alittle better aim, their irons
might trouble u.s." remarked the mate
eyes, it might, but we have very
little to fear on that score; they vii
scarcely deaden their Roadway by fir.
ing at that distance. The only anxi
ETY. feel, is in regard to this bank
Just step below, if you please, Mr.
Midships, and ascertain at what time
we have high water here"
The mate descended the companion
ladder, and soon returned with the in
formation, that the Nautical Almanac
reported the food tide to make upon
that bank at six o'clock
"Six O'clock" repeated the captain,
thoughfully, six O'Clock. 1t is now
five, and the middle and shallowest
part of this shoal is at least fifteen
miles distant. IF we could pass that
point before the tide begins to ebb, our
chance would not be so very desperate ;
but if not, we are no better than dead
men. We must make more sail, Mr..
Midships, and at once"
The ship, something more than half a
gale of wind on the starboard quarter,
was under whole topsail courses and
top gallant sails, spread of canvas
which would have been considered too
great for prudence in such breeze I'M
der ordinary circumstances, for the
spars and rigging evidently felt the
strain severely ; but now that life and
death depended upon the vessels speed,
it was no time to think of favoring the
top hamper.
Set the foretopmast studding sail, "
said the captain.
"Ay, ay, sir" responded the mate,
and walking forward to the waist, he
issued the order.
Reeve the foretopmost studding
sail gear; rig out the boom, and get
the sail along !" repeated the boat
swain from the forecastle.
The men sprang aloft with the end
of the tack and halyards, and having
rove them through blocks, the boom
upon the foreyard was rugged out thro'
the boom and quarter irons far beyond
the yard arm, and the sail bent on.
"Hoist away" shouted the captain,
who had been waiting for favorable
lull A; for, with the breeze pthen blow
ing, it would have been filter to short
en- than to make sail, and there was
great danger of the sails blowing to
ribbons before it could be set.
At the word the men swayed down
upon The halyards, and the sail rose
from the deck. But no sooner did it
reach the top of the rail, than, catch
ing the wind, it swung out far ahead,
and passing in forward of the foresail
and foretopsail, it thrashed and beat
upon the yard and sails with a force
that threatened to demolish everything
with which it came in contact, and al
most rendered Intellectual the efforts Of
the men to hoist it to its place. But
the hardy crew urged on by the evil
dent necessity of the case, bent strong
ly to the work, aad the futtering sail
was at length hoisted to the block of
the topsail yard arm, where it hung
Stating and tapping, threatening ev-
cry moment to goto pieces
The tack was now taken to the cap
stan and hove steadily in, the long
slender boom twisting and bending
with the strain until its continued ex-
istence seemed less than miracle
Contrary to the reasonable expecta-
tions, but much to the Joy of ali hands,
the straining was at length drawn
slowly out to the boom end, the sheet
trimmed down to the rail, and the huge
sail, now fairly steadied in its place,
drew strongly in the rising gale.
The good ship, feeling the increase
of canvas forward, lifted her bow in
the water, and with every sheet and
brace ringing like the strings of nam
moth harp, dashed through the
angry, leaping waves, driving the spray
far before and on either side of her
headlong course, and burying her fore
castle in a smother of foam.
CRY how fast she's going, Mr..
Midships," said the captain, who, with
uneasy steps, was pacing fore and aft
on the quarterback.
"Lay aft here, couple of ye, and
hold the reel" said the mate.
Two men sprang upon the poop, and
got the apparatus in readiness-one
man holding the reel, and the other
the glass, while the mate tended the
line
Watch" said the mate, casting
the log over the lee quarter rail.
Watch, sir" responded the man,
promptly.
eTurn," said the mate, sharply, as
the log passed astern out of the inau-
ence Of the dead water and the line
began to pass rapidly through his fin
gers, while the reel spun swiftly round.