The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1860-01-05

not a mark of the ship nor of one Of its
crew! | came home with sad and
heavy heart"
Maurice Lester stopped a few moments
and bowed his head upon his bands. for
his feelings had almost overcome him -
In little while however he looked up
again and added, in a touching tone.
"Ab, my dear friend. you do not
know what have suffered tongue can
not tell it. nor can pen write it. That
blow did break my hear,--broke it in the
rehding Of its tcnderest cords. and in
Il e crushing Of all Its earthly hope,!--Do
you believe in dreams?"
The mate started. not so much at the
character of the question, as from the
sudden manner in which it was put
"Wcll," said lester. in lower tone,
III have had dream repeated many
limes;but never has it come to me so
directly and SO wildly as within the
past three or four days. Carrie Thornton
is not dedd! | know she is nol!--she
disappeared to ME repeatedly ina dream
and calls upon me to save hel! Tonight
as | stood all alone by the mizzrn ri.
ging. trying to peer ont into the thick
gloom, | heard her voice as plainly as
YOU now hear mine, and she called ont
for me TO save her. Ofcourse what fol-
lowed was mere fancy. though even that
affected ne much: thought l saw her
standing not far off, upon huge sea,
with her arms stretched imploringly to-
wards me- saw her then, with my eyes
as have often seen her in my sleeping
dream!-"
AT this point the captain was cut short
in his spe' ch by the cry of "LIeHr no!'
from the deck. They hurried up and
found the men crcwding forward.
"Whnt is il?" lester asked.
Il think it is light, sir, "replied Par.
ker. "llcre, sir. Just stand here.-Now
turn your eye about four points upon the
lal board bow. Wait now. till she rises
thtre!--there?-- Seel-Did you
see it, sir?"
Yes-hc had seen it, and he knew il
must be light upon the shore: but it
was great way off. He watched until
he had seen it several times, and then
he remarked to his mate that it must be
light house. The light was bold and
distinct. and evidently at considerably
height above the level Of the sea; for.
had it no. been so. it could not have been
seen at that distance. After short con
sulation. during which reference Was
had to the chart Of the Northumberland
coast it was decided that this light must
be upon Dorton point. TO the north of
Dorton as the captain knew from personal
experience, as well as from the chart.
there was snug harbor. of easy en-
trance. These things were settled.
As soon as it had been determined
where the light was, Captain Lester made
all possible haste to determine his course
of action. Had the thing been prac-
licabIe. he would have laid his ship to:
but that could not be done. No one
even gave it a serious thought. So it
was determined that the ship should
stand on. at leas. till something further
was discovered.
AT half past twelve the gale had
moderated considerably. The light was
now to be seen very plainly whenever
the ship rose. and the captain and his
officers felt sure that they were right in
their calculations.
"At all event." said the former, 1--WE
have no choice but to stand on, at
least"
He was interrupted by cry from the
bows that made every soul start with hor
ror:
"BREAKGRs. BREAxERs!
Captain Lester leaped forward. and in
a very few moments lie was satisfied that
the warning had not been false one; for
he not only heard the awful roar of the
breaking seas. but he fancied that he
could see the cleaning of the white foam
as it flew high in the air. As quickly as
possible the topsail was taken off, and the
anchor cut loose. The ponderous Crap
puHyS pluuScu tutO tHc uISsIHS ScH hHu
the iron cables were spun through the
hawse-holes like lightning. Snap went
the starboard chain; and in momens
more shock was felt as the larboard an
rhor found bottom; but il would not hold.
The cab'e parted as thoug it had been
hempen- string. and on swept the devoted
ship.
"In heavens name!" gasped Griffin.
what does..lhis mean? See! The light
3 still burning as brightly as ever-at
east a league away--and yet here are the
rocks directly under our bows! What can
/ mean?"
Maurice Lester did not answer; but an
I'D, weather beaten sailor. who stood at
he wheel, and who had looked thous.
and dangers in the face, answered for
him.
"tr'sA WREoKER's BEAcoNl I've seen
,uch things afore. There ~in't DO use in
frin' the GUN. air. That lioht vas nut