Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-01-13
WOLFGANG
Oh,
THE WRECKER'S BEACON.
CHAPTER (.
BEFORE THE GALE.

was MAURICE LESTER lie stood by the taft
rail, gazing of upon the horizon to the east
ward, eyer aud anon raising bis hand above
his hsad TO feel If there was any wind stirring,
and as often casting his eye aloft to see how
the canvas hung. AS he stooc thus his mate
approached, and spoke to him
sWhat dye think Of this, Capt'n?'
81 tbink we're in for a storm, sir" the mas-
ter replied. Sand tel. you what it is, Grif-
fn,,' be added, after sweeping the horizon
again Bith his eye, s.Bhen il comes it will be-
an earnest one. None of your broad Ocean
puffs, v.ih nothing but water to hatch wind
from; but we'll have it right fresh from some
of those Places where they know how to make
things blow.''
"rben you think we'll have hard one?"
said Griiin.
"AYe,' answered tie captain, with almoss a
shu9der, 81 feel it 10 my bones.''
In the meantime, Captain Lester bad been
Watching the sea and sky as before, and he
fancied that the signs of the storm were grow
ing more and moro palpabie every moment
The sun was going down in thick bank, CIV
ing to he whole western horizon dull, purp-
lish rcd, bloody hue, with here and there spots
OF a darker tinge. like openings, through the
fery cloud, looking upon fearful blaskaess
behind
"Do you see how strangely it looks off
there!n said the Captaiu, raising his finger
towards the point where the sun was setting.
"Aye," returned Griffin, 81 have been
watching those dark places.''
And others noticed the same thing, aud
spoke OF il, too.
Seyen o'clock cama and went. Eight o.
clock came, aud tbs first watch was set.
f'Don't so bslow," said the Captain, as the
men OF the last dog watch left their stations
'"ihiS calm can't last great while. You had
better tasten down the aatcbes now, while
there Is nothing else to do; for am sure there
Will be need OF having them close before the
eoming eli another day"
Ths men bad had no thoughts of going be-
low, feg they coJld see and feel; and they we're
noi wholly ignorant of what was coming; SO
they went at work aud secured the patches
With thick '@rpaulins; ana when this was done
Iaose who had DO particular station collected
aoout .be wheel. Another hour passed away
aud another. Ten o'clock came, and still
not breath. The ship lay upon the water
Ike dead thing, with the ropes, and blocks.
and sails, rafting ard tapping to and fro by
iuS ldAA SNSlIS oi tue sea.
''What does il meant" cried Grili8, as the
boz struck FIVE bells.
''Hara :" said the csptain, almost Instantly,
81 guess You'll soon see. Did you feel .hata
-ha land that!"
It was puff Of wind, and light flying of
sprayi or, perhsps il was SPIT of rain. At
ali events, lhe puff was felt; and the drops Of
water fell upon other cheeks than Maurice
Testers; and other eors than his heard the
.tuil moaning which came over the dark waters.
81 other ears heard the roar which followej,
and other bodies quiyere beneath the shock of
the stormsglaat when be eams in his might.
Aye-th storm had come. IT came with
igiiid and rain, and with an augry heaving of
the sea. IL came with darkness like Eretus,
and With the veica of thunder The gale CON
tlEued 10 increase in fury as the long night
passed away. When the morning came the
scene vas one OF awful grandeur. The wind
Vas hogling with terrid; fGey; aud the broad
ssa eas lashed into huge mountains. th j: foam
ed, AMI tGmbled, and leaped along over the
hosoia Of the deep, seeming every moment
ready 10 whelm AID enguh the frail bark that
struggled With the demon grasp.
NaeE Captain Tester had observed the
Higas OF Ihe nofalDc, be feared that the storm
Wnlid coatinGc throagl the day, and SO he
told his men. The SKY wore hue of horror,
and rain vas now driving down, mingling with
the lasalng sea. st neon 1t was still worse.
~ length night shut ia again, aud not a
ago yetot the passing away OF the storm
Ike irigatEul aowling Of tie tempest seemed
rather to have increased than aba.od. The
nan gathered upon the quarter deck, elinging
for support to the racks aud ralls-for the life
lines swaYed so much that they we're afraid OF
taen--gathegei Eear b the light Of the
hinnacle laiDp as they could, as though even
ffom su3a feeble beams they might 6ud some
cotaiori. Bat not all were there. No NOT
al t0aT stout, true hearted meE had been
swept away By the storm. Near score we're
left; but how many shnl see the light Of anoth-
sF dag
at niaC O'Clock Captain Lester went below.
lie took down a chart of the North Sea, and
having spread 1t upon the table, be sat dosG 20
examine a.. he was thus engaged When Mr..
t'riiln came ioEa; bus he did not look up ua-
III be bad finished the calculation.
'How is it2' the mate asked, as be saw bis
commander lay dowa the dryiders.
Il have been making a reckoning, and end
that We hays but liitIe more sea room left
The course VIC have made siace we wore, has
been, 80 near as can calculate, north -west-by
sest, 50 that we must have been driving
togards the coast of Northumberland think
se have pleaty of room to stand on until mid
night; but We cannot stand on much longer
II the gale. does not abale by that time know
'so; what we shall do
The captain started up from his chair, anu
would probably have walked across the cabin,
but Al ihat moment heavy sea caught the
shlq ap'i gave her pitch fol ward, which eaus-
eii baA 70 eaten his seat as quickly as possible.
rs soon as the food had gone from the dack,
suii the vessel had struggled up from the
shock, no looked into bis companions face, and
ssld, u voice made tremnous bY deeneF emo