The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-09-03

way up the ladder | stopped. and hDaily
turned back. What started me up |
cannot tell; but | went back because |
feared that my mate might think | DIS
trusted him If went on deck At length
turned in my cot and think lay there
another half hour before | went to sleep.
How long | had slept | cannot tell );
but | was awakened from an uneasy slum-
Der by the peculiar motion of the ship.
| started upon my elbow to observe and
think. The ship had heavy lift to the
starboard, and wa. labor;ng with the sea
detected at once that the wind was
abeam. Was it possible that the wind
had hauled around from the uorthward F!
| could not believe 1t. La all my ae,
quaintancp with that sea | had never
know a south west gale to change thus
without moderating. As quickly as pos
slble drew on my irowsers and hurried
on deck. The night was still dark, and
the wind blowing furiously cast my
eve into the binnacle, and saw that the
ship CaS heading due north!
asked the helmsman what that meant
He said it was Mr.. Carboy's order.
Where is Mr.. Carboy
He is forward.
had started to 90 in search of my
mate, when | met him coming aft
"In rpercy's name, Mr. Carboy, what
does this mean? | cried.
Nv hat p he said
| This change of course, sir
! 20, that is nothing, Captain he re
Piled with light laugh Don't get
| excited I'm after great aunt of mine
that ran away with my uncle Size car
/ ried off all my money. sir-Egad, but
! I'll catch her yet! Ho, ho! Blow, We
winds! Blow and crack Don't be
alarmed, Captain I'm going ashore
| III be blest if | stay here any longer y
! | cannot remember all he said; but |
eau very distinctly remember that | did
not take time just then to make him any
reply for while | was yet standing aghast
with the conviction flashing upon me
that my mate was raving maniac, the
loud, startling cry came from forward.
"BreakerS! Breakers ! Rocks ahead"
| rushed to the bows and looked over,
and for a moment my heart came up into
my mouth. Directly ahead, aud so near
that | could see the phosphorcent glare
of the breaking foam, was rocky coast
| The roar of the cras ling sea was loud and
deep, and the demon jaws were wide open
for me 1t was not time for thonght.
In Il very few minutes, If We kept on, we
should be dashed upon the rocks, and
knew that no man of the crew would
outlive such shock. 10 single instant
all the chances had passed before my
| judgement Another mon.ent of hesita-
tion must be fatal If attempted to luff
in the eye of such wind, and in such
sea, my ship might miss her stays, and be
lost. There was but one course to pursue.
| sprang aft, laundering at the top Of
uy voice:
up with the helml Up with it F! Hard
a-port To the braces, my men. To the
braces! Quick! Quick OFF to leeward !.
ease off Round in the braces ~
| reached the poop just IN season to see
Carboy knock the heImsman down with
an iron belayinc-pin, and seize the wheel
with his own hands. do not think it
took NE over two seconds to relieve my.
mate from his sudden trick at the wheel.
[ struck him under the ear with MY fist.
and as he staggered lack | grasped the
whirIing spokes, and put the helm up.
Fortunately my men were on hand aud
more fortunate still, they obeyed me
promptly. The ship turned her head
steadily, sweeping in narrow arch, and
as she came to her old course, still wear
| ing, | felt shock-quiver-a grating Of
the keel upon rock-and shower Of
sp'ay from the surge came raining over
me- Again my heart was in my mouth /;
but | bowed my head and held the wheel
with firm hand
Culver qu:verl Crate grate-a groan
as of some mighty tIroe. and all was over.
As the ship took the wind upon the star
board quarter, cast my eyes over my left
shoulder. and saw huge, black mass Of
rock towering above me.
But not yet did dare to breathe freely.
| stood with my head bent, and my heart
hushed, for some moments more-stood,
guiding my ship through the sea, and
praying to God for deEyerabce AT
length, when knew that all was safe
when the rocks had been left all astern-
| gave the order fer Delay ing, aud called
man to relieve me.
Nv next attention was directed to my
mate | found hun lying upon deck,
sa>ping as though IN a spasm. | took
him below, ana for four days he lay in
his cot, sometimes raving madiy, and
sometimes apparently insensibIe. When
ue reached Nanlns be was able 10 sit m