The Shasta courier., 1866-09-08

long one. The rain fell in torrents, the
heavens were dark, and the air was piercing,
Thornhill had no idea of his whereabouts,
for how far the brig had been driven hy the
fury Of the night he could not tell, vet he
supposed that he must be somewhere near
the chops of the Sound Of Null.
1t was few minutes past six when the
Captain was startled by loud cry forward,
and on working his way thither he found
that the foremast was sprung just above the
pipe rack. He had hardly discovered the
danger when another shout from the poop
called him aft, and hurrying again a sight
met his gaze that made his heart leap with
horror. Directly under the lee quarter, and
not over quarter of mile distant, was a
bold, rocky coast, over which the sea was
dashing fearfully. And all along, too, to
the northward the same horrid scene extend.
ed.
Good God ~ cried Wooler. at this mo.
ment. pointing over the weather bow, there
are more rocks there See! See We are
surrounded"
The men were called, but not one of them
knew the shore.
Bring forward Donald Kenmore, :" shout
ed Wooler.
p" Ha we WILL" answered the Captain.
hHu luo was sent
He came on deck; he had been carried
below when the storm reached its fury, but
he could not tell where the brig was.
But" he added, my child has been
pilot on these water for over four years, and
there is not a rock or shoal in all the Sound
of Null she don't know"
Hal Donald Kenmore. do Won sneak
truly, now?''
81 do. Until within month she has
been with her brother, and has almost lived
among the rocks of the Sound"
Flora Kenmore was sent for at once. She
came up, and taking her station near the
wheel. where she could hold on upon one of
the life lines for support. she gazed careful.
ly around. 1t was truly a terrific scene.-
On all sides now, save on the weather quar-
ter alone, the huge breakers were piled and
stretched along. Not muscle of the maid.
ems body quivered, nor did her cheek blanch.
but boldly she stood there, and her gaze was
calm and assured.
Lady" said the Captain. whose fright
ened look was in strange contrast with the
expression that rested upon Flora Kenmore's
features, 'do you know where we are ?''
. l do sir-exactly," was the sure reply.
" Ha and can the brig be saved ?"
Gay, sir. In less then two hours the
brig can be run into a harbor where the
storm would be but summer shower"
And can you do it?"
''If try"
i" BY heavens then do it! Do it and
any sum you name shall be yours"
Hold ~ said the noble girl, 81 want
not your gold; but you have thing which,
if you will give it back to me, shall secure
your salvation"
"What 7"
"My father. Give me my father and you
shall be saved!"
g But he is State prisoner. have no
right to give him up"
I" Then you decline my services"
But consider, my dear girl, your own
life is at stake. If we 90 you must 90 with
u.s."
:" l know it, sir, and l am prepared for it.
What's my life worth to me If nv father
must be -. But you may depend upon
this, l can save you. Give me back my
father-swear it that we may go away un.
molested when your anchors are safely down,
and you shall be saved. If you will not do
this, then your hours are numbered. l
know where you are, and without the aid of
one who knows these rocks this vessel cannot
ride an hour longer ~
"Give him up!" cried Wooler, whose face
was as pale as death. % Be sure you won't
bend her an atom"
The Captain dared hesitate no longer
The rest of the officers seconded Wooler's re.
quest and he gave in.
g Save US !" he said, turning to the maid
en- once more. "save US and your father
shall be free !"
DO you swear this ?"
81 do-most solemnly and call on all
present to witness that when this vessel is
safe, if your father and yourself go not where
you will | am periured wretch! And now
the helm is yours"
On the instant Flora started into new life.
g Lay the yards square! she cried at the
top of her voice. Ease up the helm Let
two faithful men take the wheel"
These orders were obeyed, and ere long
the brig was dashing off before the wind
An opening was made i'll the rocky coast
ahead.
That is Lungs on the quarter" the
maiden said, land ahead we have dozen
small islands. Here comes the DEVILS Rock
on the starboard bow, and that on tho left is
McDonald's Grown, Port little / Steady
SOP
The hearts of the men leaped up, and
there seemed to hang for some Moments
But on went the flying vessel-the heavy
spray actually dashing over the deck from
the towering rocks, and now on this hand.
now on that, and yet she went safely on. If
she had gone through such dubious chan
mel. then why should she not pass the rest.
The men became more easy even though
the horrors were as palpable as ever. The
course of the brig lay through kissing,
rushing, tumbling surge, with rocks still on
every hand. And there stood the fair pilot,
her keen eyes flashing. her finely chiseled
nostrils dilated. and her noble form drawn
proudly up. Her orders were prompt and
assured, and confidence was in every look
and Tone
At length the vessel entered narrow
strait not over a mile wide, and the course
wss direct. 1t was the main land of Argle
upon the right and the Island of Sell upon
the left. In half an hour more the strait
was passed-another group of rocks cleared
and yet the gallant bark few safely over
the storm mad sea.
Stand by the braces !" cried Flora, now
showing little excitement. Mind your
helm and round in carefully on the larboard
braces Keep the others taut Helm
port easy-easy |" 80
The brig bowed to the wind most fearfuiiy
now that her side was presented to 1t, ana
the masts bent like reeds-but she faIieo
not. A high promontory was Passed-ane