Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-02-16


on but the wind was too strong. 1t blew
a perfect hurricane, and the sea began to
rise and break over the deck and ere long
it became evident that one of the topsails
must be taken off.
1t was a bad place in which to be caugh,
thus. Thornhill knew that he must be
near the mouth Of the Sound of Null, and
if he lay to, the gale would tend to drive
him up into it. He was not acquainted
with the place, and though he had goot
charts yet he did not feel safe.
:. Higher and higher grew the furious
wind, until the very sea seemed dancing
over the frail bark. The masts groaned
and creakcd, the rigging grated and strain
ed, and every crack and seam gaped be
meath the fearful strain. Tho wind howlet
boiled, until the Wno,o soone appeared bu
the result of a furious war of the frantic
elements.
At midnight Captain Thornhill began tt
he frightened. The wind was not only
unabated but the rain had begun to driv,
down. and the night was as black as on.
solid mass of ink.
"Wooler," he said as he drew his oilet
jacket up over his face to protect it from
the driving rain, "can you not hear thu
roar of breakers -
II have thought heard them for some
time.'' returned the lieutenant, holding
firmly by the lifeline to prevent bcin:
washed away by the breaking seas.
And yet we can do nothing the cap
tain resumed, being obliged to cry ou
with all his strength to make his voic,
sound above the roar of the clements
ITO vccr an atom would be sure dcstruc
ton. But we cannot live so much longer
Every rope and stick is strained now II
its utmost. ., if we had room to run of
before it.
"But we haven't was Woolcr's res
rOnsc.
let the brig lived through tic hi ight
and when the morning dawncd, the wind
seemed to increase rather than diminish
1t was near the autumnal equinox, ant
there was every prospect that the storm
would be long one. The rain still fcl
in torrents, AMI the heavens were black
and the air dark. Thornhll lad no ide;
of his whereabouts, for how far the bri.
had been driven by the fury Of the nigh
he could not tell; yet he supposed he mus
be somewhere near the chops Of the Sount
Of Null.
1t was few minutes past six when the
captain was startled by loud cry forward
an ON working his way thither he foam,
that the forcmast was sprung just above
the pipe. rack He had hardly discovered
the danger, when another shout from The
poop called him aft. and hurryinS back
again. sight met his gaze that made his
heart leap with horror. Directly under
the lce-qiiartcr, Was bold, rocky coast
over which the sea was dashing fcartuly
And all along, too, to the northward, thu
same horrd scene extended.
Good God - cried Wooler, at thi'
moment pointing over the weather bow
there are more rocks there. See. See
We are surrounded ~
The men were called, but not one o.
them knew the shores.
bring up Donald Kenmore. criet
Wooler.
,.iIa! We will, answered the captain
And the smuggler was sent for.
The old man came on dcck-he hat
been carried below when the storm reach
ed its turv-but he could not tell wher,
the brig was.
But" he added. "my child has been q
pilot in these waters for over four years
and there's not rock nor shoal III the
Sound o'Mull she dou't know"
"Ha, Donald Kenmore, do you SPEAK
truly now ;"
II do. Until within month she has
been with her brother, and has almost
lived among the rocks of the Sound
Flora Kenmore was sent tor at once
She came up, and taking her station neal
the wheel, where she could hold on upon
one of the lifc-lnes for support, she gazet
carefully around. 1t was truly a terrific
scene. On all hands now, save ON tho
weather quarter alone, the huge breakers
were piled up and stretched along. Not ;
muscle of the maiden's body quivered, no.
did her cheek blanche but boldly sht
stood there, and her gaze was calm and
assured.
Lady" spoke the captain. whose
frightened look was in strange contras
with the expression that rested upon Flora
Kenmorc's fair features, lido you know
where You are -
Il do, sir-cxactly !" was the sure re
ply.
"Ha and can the ship be saved ;"
.Ah, sir. In less than two hours thi
brig can be run into a harbor where thl
storm would he bnt as summer shower >
And can You do it -
"lf try
"By heavens! then do it DO it, an,
any sum YOU name shall be yours ~
"Hold.'' said the girl. II want no
your gold; but you have thing which,
You will give it back to me, shall Sc
YOUR salvation.'
'What -
Nm EaMer! Give Inc my father, ant
vou shall be saved"
bat he is States prisoner. | hav'
no right to give him up.
But you have the power, sir. Iol
took him, and You can give him up"
"But consider, my girl. Your own lif,
is at stake. If we go you must so will
u.s."
IL know it, sir. and am prepared fo
it. What's my life worth to me if m.
father must be; hut you may depent
upon this: | can save you. Give III,
back nv father-swcar to me that we may
both 90 away free and uamolcstcd whei
your anchors are safely down, and yo,
Shall be saved. If you will not do this
your hours are numbered know whcr,
YOU are, and without the aid of one wh'
knows these rocks, this vessel cannot rid,
one hour longer -
..Give him up" cried Wooler, whos'
iaco was pale as death. BE sure yo,
wont bend her an atom"
The captain dared hesitate no longer. -
The rest of the officers seconded Wooler'