The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-04-22
BIDDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL %, 1864.

As they stood together leaning sgainss inc
windward side Of the house over the compan-
ionway, the Esmeralda seemed suddenly TO
drop from the ridge she had been poised on
moment before, with o jerk that gave them the
feeling Of suspension in the air, and their Din
nacle, bow, and masthead lights showed them
a smooth hill Of water, reaching fore and sft ~
far as the eye could see. whose summit edge
looked twenty feet above the gunwsls. Down
this sheer slope the wind rushed a. down hill
In rolling land up country. struck the double
rcefed maiosail like an iron hand prying upon
lever, lifted the windward side Of the Esmsr-
aida. till tho three partners lay on their backs
upon the house. and at the samc time tho hill
itself, with nm avalanche rush. slid hssdlong.
crowded the sloop one moment almost out Of
water, and tho next made clean breach across
her deck and laid her nearly on her beams
end. n.af .H 81
. To lutf up and let the sail shake out II II
would, was rather necessity than choice, for tho
wheel was almost knocked out Of the Dcscon's
hands Slowly the Esmeraida rightcd as she
fell of and half.blinded with water the junior
partners. Deacon Townsend set about farling
the mainsail. A difficult task even for the Dea-
con-for the three landsmen terrible one. To
stand across the seas. with the pitching conse.
quent on that position. even though the head
must lie to the wind or the sail not be furled,
was necessity to their young experience as
formidable as rolling in the trough. ..
This maneuvring accomplished, the four ro-
turned to their former position ut the oompan-
ionway, and the sloop, considerably eascd, held
on her way, steered by the jib. ..
None of oil that crew knew what the sea had
done for them. Neither junior partners, With
al the business talent of Pine ard Warren streets
-neither Dcacons Of the Old and New School,
with all their wealth Of doctrine and Of seaman
ship-wero aware, as they grouped themselves
aft In the misty light Of the binnacle lamp and
shared the sweet relief the righted E'msrai.
da, that the little plank that for hours had been
standing between them and the realities which
will not be argued with by any School, Old or
new, UT VUy UusiucoS, uuu uouo No bSos ohu Aoosb
and the Esmeraida had sprung q leak. f +.
Or Mt least, tor some time they did not know
II. Tho waves came to them, passed under
them, with gentle shook an swell. Little by
little the thick darkness opened ahead till an
arch seemed making for them under which they
might pass into the slowly growing light Of
day. The wind, though It did not lull. blew
steadier, and the painful stretch Of nerve with
which laudsmen wait for flaws died out In the
bosoms of the junior partners. Mr.. Peavey lit
pipe aud began to talk Of turning In again.
Deacon Townsend relieved Deacon Aliens arm
at tho wheel. though tho heart Of each was still
heavy. smouldering CRATE which words dil
not, could not, relieve.
About m hour from the furling Of the main
soil, as Deacon Allen sat against the bulW"rk,
strange question came floating across the cur.
rent of his deep. painful thoughts. He arose
and looked over the side. And then. rather so.
liloquizlng than speaking to his nearest ship
mate, Mr.. Hodge, he said:
Seems to me she lays pretty low In the wa
ter. guess I'll try the we'll He walked mid
ships and staid for a long time. When he re.
turned there was stern expression visible OH
his face In the clamp-lght-stern even for 8 Des.
con, and he spoke quietly to Mr.. Reeve.
'Ef Deacon Townsend don't want none o. you
young men. you'd better come and take leetle
turn at the pump long with me-
Sprung lcak!' asked Mr.. Reeve, breath.
lcssly. s....i. rr'.
'wa'al, we air gittin' lcetle too much va.
tor below said the Deacon. ..
In moment everybody know what had hap
pcned, and Deacon Townsend ordered his crew
to the pump. The four took their places with
arms barred to the shoulder. Up down up,
down not o spout-not gurglc
Reeve took his hands from the brake and
looked at Hodge with bitter sobcrness.
Hodge said he, did you havo that valve
repaired before we started ?
MY God ! I forgot it.
'Then,' replied Deacon Allen, grimly. this
craft has but an hour above water and those
that hasn't prcparcd'to meet their God hsd bet
ter seek Him now, II 80 be that He'll have mer.
cy upon them "i p.
And the four went M again.
Tho consciousness Of having but an hour to
think and act in had different effect upon the
three partners. In bitter silence Reeve looked
ont upon the sea, aud saw for the frst time how
black Il was. Hodge. burying his face In his
hands, moanod like child. Forgive me, %
God, forgive me . Peavey and the two Dea-
cons formed council, and talked together In
low, earnest voice.
Il was resolved to launch the surf boat. She
might live, she might not 1t was their last
chance. @
Hastily bringing up their thlckest coats. .
small kcg Of water, and tho fragments OF the
last nights supper. the three partners got into
the lifc-boat that hung At the heads, ana the
Deaoons lowered away. ,....
we will come down BY tho tackle said De".
CON Townsend, over tho stern aud as soon ss
VIC drop, you unhook forc-'n-att diroctly.'
In his excitement. all that Mr.. Hodge. sitting
nj the stern. heard Of this order was the oou-
maud to unhook. and rs soon s tho boat struck
tho water obeyed Il by main force, The Esmsr.
aida was still lurching sheat and the effect Of
Hodges action was to sink his cnt of the boat.
PAY out, pay out for Gods sskc = cried Mr..
Reeve, to Deacon Allen. who was holding the
rope with hands Of iron. In an instant the
Deacon thought Of his wife, from the day he
married her ill now OF Lish. and whst sort Of
a SON he made for widow (; Of the three I'm.