The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-01-18

N'0i-"tVohuaue cruucE, without which
ne could not move, he had learned to
handle and maneuvre The Saucy lack
with the greatest ease, and was as expert
at taking in reef or quitting about" {"
as the oldest salt in Yarmouth.
1t was a glorious summers day, the
sea SO smooth that it rippled on to the
peach without noise, and seemed to be
coyly kissing the pebbles. So hot, too.
that the rowers in the many boats float
ing about were leaning listlessly on their
oars, allowing themselves to drift lazily
along with the tide. All Yarmouth
seemed to be on the water everything
In the shape ofa boat was engaged. The
'Sducy Jack alone remained idle. There
she lay, about a hundred yards from the
shore, securely anchored, and every
thing as neatly fastened up as when she
had been left the night before. Many
and anxious were the inquiries for Joe
Barton, and general were the express
ions of regret that he should not be in
the bay on such lovely day. No one
knew where he had gone, not even
Johnny. All he could say was that his
father had received letter the night
before, after reading which he had sat
silent and gloomy all the rest of the
evening, and gone out before six O'Clock
i'll the morning, when he was a-bed,
without saying word. So The .Sducy
Jdck remained Idle all through that live
long summers day.
Evening came on and Johnny, who
had been lounging about uneasily, for
he could not bear his father to be away
from him, began to feel very tired and
sleepy, and thinking that nap on board
would be cool and comfortable, hailed
one of the passing boats, and was duly
transported to The ,Sd,tcy Jdck. Creep
ing into the little cabin at her bow, in
which spare sails, empty gingerbeer bot
ties, and such like We're kept, he soon
fell into sound and heavy slumber.
How long it lasted he knew not, but
when he woke he was startled by hear
ing ripping sound above his head {;
it was quite dark, too, and the boat felt
as if she were moving smartly along.
What could have happened? Had she
broke away from her anchor? For a
moment he lay still, frightened in spite
of himself. Then slowlyshe raised him
self on his elbow, and rubbing his eyes,
peered through the narrow aperture
which he had entered. He could see
the main-sail bellied out with the fresh
breeze, and that was all. But was it
not enough? He knew he was out on
the sea, but how had he come there ?
Could anybody out of spite have sent
him adrift? No; he knew of no one
who had a grudge against him; sud-
denly he was startled by groan as if
of pain. His heart thumped against
his side, the presperation broke out in
great beads on his forehead, he neither
moved hand nor foot. Then ensued an
agonizing silence, and then q voice
hoarsc and broken with emotion, burst
into passionate prayer. Johnny was
Drawer now, and dragging himself along
on his hands and knees, as quickly as
his intirmities would allow, he made for
the entrance, and thrust his head out.
There was no moon, but the stars shone
out bravely, and in their light he could
see the figure of man with his back
towards him, rocking backward and for
wards, his face buried in his hands, and
murmuring to himself. Who could it
be? Johnny essayed to speak, but his
lips were parched, soundless, and glued
together, his tongue rough and dry. He
started ut the black shadow as if it We're
a spirit. Between it and him there was
a seat running across the boat; he tried
to reach it, in order to pull himself
along, but could not. The figure moved
its head, and in momentary flash of
summer lightning Johnny saw that ii
was his father. He sought to speak
again, but he could not, while his eyes
eagerly devoured his every movement.
He saw him move his hand down to the
seat beside him, he saw him raise his
arm with something that glittered in
the silver light, he heard a click, and
then as if by inspiration, the truth burst
upon him. Hurting himself forward
with the energy of despair, he caught
his father by the arm. There was a
flash, report, and then he felt some-
thing Craze his fingers. But he needed
it not /; seizing the pistol from his hand,
he threw it with all his strength into
sea, and then sank fainting into the bot
tom of the boat
Black grew the clouds, higher rose the
wind, beating up the waves into angry
contention. There was every appear
ance of the advent of severe storm.
The .Saucy Jack, left to herself, was
heelingover in the trough OF the sea in a
perilous manner, but still Joe Barton,
for it was he sat with his face in his
hands still Johnny lay silent and
motionless in the bottom Of the boat
Presently great, green wave came curl
ing along and dashing against the boats
side, wetted both to the skin. 1t reused
Joe from his stupor, it reused Johnny
from his insensibility; in another mo-
ment they were in one another'S arms.
| still the wind freshened still the
waves rose higher and higher those
| two cIaspedin that firm embrace needed
? them not, for the mercy of God was in
: their hearts, and storm and tempest had
) no fear for them.
| Itblew gale that night and morning
: and large vessel went ashore on
, Yarmouth sands, but nolives We're lost.