, 1863-03-19

Ine CaptAln was chlleu, Out Oetore ne Came vi
deck, there came crash as though the very
heavens had been rent asunder. The old ship
trembled in every joint, and huge ball Of fire
rolled down the mainmast Another and another
crashing Of the lightning came, and at length the
electric light began to play about the ship in
wild, fantastic streams.
"!rhe mainmast is struck, :" shouted one Of the
men. "See where its head is shiVeredl"
All eyes were turned to the spot, and by the
next wild fash the men could see that danger
Gus havoc had been made with the mainmast
The cap was shivered, the starboard cheek was
nearly stripped of, and the trestletress were
quiveiing. Of course, the heavy tOpmast was
only held in its place BY the dubious trestetrees,
and the mantoP threatened every instant to come
laundering to the deck, with the long topmast
and topgailantmast in It's company. Such CO.
tastrophe would prove fatal to the ship, and all
were aware Of it.
But while oil hands were gazing at this,
another danger arose. The low, rumbling sound
that had been muttcring in the southwark had
escaped the notice Of the crew, and ere they
Knew it, the rushing, bowling wind was upon
them. The ship leaped like frighted stag before
the gale. The mate cut the maintopsail sheets,
and the sail was snapped into ribbons. The
toretopsail was clewed up; and the ship got be.
fore the wind.
The lightning cloud was swept away, and it
was dark as Erebus. The wind hOwled fear
fully, but there was sound more fearful than
that Il was the creaking Of the shattered tres
tletrees, as the I'D Of the topmast bore down upon
them. 5. .........
80 God!" calculated Captain Jacobs, "if the
trestletrees give way, we are lost Hark u heat
them laborl"
Away up aloft, In the impenetrable darkness,
stood the giant topmast and ell felt that It could
not stand there long. The men crowded aft, and
with painfully beating hearts they heard the
mast labor. r.,s,
"If we could bring the ship bfoadside to-"
said the mate, "the weather rigging might be
cut and the mast would 60 overheard"
"Irue, true" returned the captain; "but
who'll go aloft and do the jobf There will be
no foot6old 10 the top, for that will 20 with
crash. The trestletrees are already shattered"
"If you viii port the helm, | will make the
trial" cried clear, strong voice, which was at
once recognized as Caleb Bakers.
alt will be sure death" said Jacobs.
"Then let Il be So" returned Caleb. "H
succeed, the rest Of you may be saved but now
we are oil in danger. Port the helm, and Twill
60" -. -. .,.--....l.I .
Caleb took the axe from the mizzenmast, and
soon his form was lost in the darkness, as be
moved toward the stArbOArd rigging The helm
was put a-pcrt and the ship gradually gsve BET
starboard side to the gale. Soon the blow Of an
axe was heard. There was Q fearful straining
and cracking-and then came the crash. The
heavy topmast bad gone clear over the side.
Fragments Of the trestle and ctoss-trees came
fattling upon the deck, bot all eyes were strained
painfully toward the masthead. The dim outlines
Of the heroic man could be seen safely hanging
BY the mizzentopmast.
The ship was once more got before the wind,
and ere long Baker came safely to the deck. he
staggered af to the pinnacle, and there he sank,
fainting and bruised, upon the deck but he was
quickly conveyed to the cabin, and his wants
were all met
Calebs bruises were none Of them bad, and
In few days he was again at his duty. The
men eyed him anxiOusly, and seemed uneasy as
they met his smiles. The captain, too, changed
color when he met the kind, noble look Of the
young man, but soon overcame the false pride
that actuated him, ana stepping 10 the noble fel.
lows side, he took him by the hand.
"Caleb," said he, "if have done wrong,
freely ask you to forgive me. have called you
q coward, but did not know you"
"Think no more Of H." said Caleb, with .
beaming eye. 81 once promised to one whom
loved better than liie-my mother-that would
never do deed Of which might afterward be
ashamed"
Bunkton pressed forward. "Caleb," be said,
seizing the hand Of the young man tn bis hard
fist, "you must forgive me for what's passed.
Wen be friends AFTER this"
"Bless you, BunktOn, and friends We viii be-"
returned Caleb. ..7, .-s......,. r.. ....-.
"Yes" added Bunkton, can Il you won't
6ght for yourself IN fight for you, If ever you
stand in need Of Il"
"I tell you, my men," said the captain,
"there's certainly two kinds Of courage and,
after all, don't know but Caleb Bakers kind Is
the best It takes stronger and bigger heart