Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-04-21

sOuthWhru. II came 10 QUICK, cool gusts,
and the broad canvass only tapped before
it.
We are likely to have blow soon,' re.
marked the mate.
Not much | think returned the captain,
as he took survey of the horizon. This
splitting will soon die away, and I think
the wind will come out from the westward.
| However, it may be well enough to shorten
sail
This order was quickly obeyed, and as
| the cagtain had predicted, the splitting
gusts died away, and there was no wind
! from the westward.
About fen o'clock, those who were on
deck, were startled by sudden darkening
| oil the stars and they saw great black
cloud rolling 10 from the southward. 1t
soon hung over the ship like back pail,
and the men began to be frightened. The
captain was called, but before he came on
/ deck there came crash as though the very
! Heavens had been rent asundvr.
The old ship trombied in every Joint ard
a huge 0all Of fire rolled down the main
| mas. The cap was shivered, the starboard
cheek was Leariy ripped off, and the treslc-
trees were qniveriBg. The heavy topmast
was only held in its place by the dubious
tresletrees; and the maintp threatened
every lnsta IT to come laundering upon the
! deck, With the long tom mast and the top
! gallant mast in its company. Such a catas-
trophe would surely prove fatal to the
ship. ~ -.
'Oh Cod CALCULATED the CAPTAIN. IF the
tresietrees gave way we are lost. Hark
hear them labor.
Away up loft in the impenetrable dark
I fho o,p
that It could not stand there long. The
men crowded aft, and with painfully
| beating hearts, they heard the masts la
! Dor.
five couId bring the ship braadside to-
| sald the mate, the weather rigging might
/ be cut and the masts would then go over
| board
True, true returned the captain but
! who shall go aloft aud do the Job? There
would be 70 toothod IN the top that would
60 with such a crash. The tresletrees are
already started.
trial, cried clear strong voice, which was
at once recognized as Caleb Bakers.
1T VIII be sure DEATH returned the cap
! tain. -
Then let it be so, returned Caleb. I'll
]
now we are in danger. Port the helm and
! / wilt 60.
Caleb took the axe from the nj ;zz,nnast
and soon his form was lost in the darkness
as he moved toward the starhoard rigging
The helm WAS put aport, ard the shin
| gradually gave her starboard side 10 the
! gale. Soon the blow Of an axe was heard
| then another and another. The sin
\ hpaVpU hn.IVIIU n,I
was heard. There was fearful straining
and cracking and then came the crash
| The heavy topmasthad gone clean over the
! side. Fragments ofthe trcse-vorks came
rattling upon the deck, but all ewes wore
strained painfully towards the mast head
The dim outlines of the heroic man could
mast stay. @ets
The ship was once more got before the
Wind, and ere lung Baker came safely to
the deck. lie staggered aft to the bi6na-
Gle, and there he sank fainting and bruised
upon the deck. lie was quickly conveyed
to the cabin. and his wants were all met
! Caleb's bruises were nOnegOf them bad
and in few days be was again at his post.
! The men eyed him aDxiously, and they
! seemed uneasy as they met his SMILES =
/ The captain too. changed col IT, when he
met the kind aud noble look of the young
| mac, but he soon overcame the false pride
that aetGated him, and stepping to the no.
bic fellows side, ne asked furgvuess.- -
! Bunkton pressed forward, and Selling the
hand OF the young man, said: You must
tlrgve me for what past. We viii be
| friends after this.
Bless you Bunkton. and friends we will
be.
l tell you ~ -.ssIr,' said the captain,
there are TWO kinds of courage, and after
all ! don't know bat chat Caleb Bakers
kind is tie sast.