The Shasta courier., 1868-05-16
SHASTA COURIER.
A BROTHERS. PERIL.
TALE OF THE SEA.

to Australia.
fine looking young sailor OF twenty two' VINO
had the reputation of being man of great
activity and daring. lie had been once seen
10 climb n rope leading to the truck hand
over hand, and dive under the ship from the
foretopsail No wonder. therefore. that he
had the flving jib furled. and was on deck in
time for the order to close reef topsails.
The wind was blowing a gale, and the
vessel was dashing along almost on her
beam ends. with everything cracking and
rafting The white water came up roaring
over her bows, and the seas now and then
deluged the after-deck, sweeping away what
ever was loose.
fair cabin passenger, Grace Worrel by
name, the daughter Of an old man confined
to his berth with the gnut, stood on the
quarter deck, clnging to the mizzen shrouds.
She was beaut full. with dark, shining
brown hair. dimpled cheeks. a neat, Ii he.
we'll rounded figure and diminutive hands
and feet. Being but seventeen years old
her round face had that peculiar childish
expression. blended with that Of womanly
dignity, which for ages has captivated the
hearts Of the sierner sex.
Tom Bunk, dashing up the main rigging.
could not heip directing an admiring glance
toward the fair creature on the quarter
deck. lIer eyes shone like stars as she
watched the 1.-the figures of the men running
up the rigging; but she looked anxious,
when shrill cry from one Of the hands
already aloft proclaimed that he was in
peril.
He was boy, whose feet slipping from
the maintopsail foot rope. near the end cf
the ward, caused him to fall headlong, where
he caught himself by the ear ring rope de.
pending from the SAIL to which he now hung
with both lands. The rolling and pitching
oil the ship made him sway from side to side.
and a strand of the rope having parted, he
was every moment in danger of falling.
One of the men leaning over, gra>ped him
by the collar of the Jacket, but the cloth tear
ing in his grasp, the boy was worse off than
before.
sailor with bowine hitch was advanc
ing swiftly along the foot roop when, with
one wild desparing cry the boy let go his
hold and fell into the bubbling, Kissing waters
of the stormy ocean.
''Man overheard y rang shrily through
the craft. The youngest who had fallen WAS
the brother of Tom Bunk. who now, without
a moments hesitation, plunged into the wa
ter after the struggling lad.
With much difficulty, the ship was brought
up in the wind, and boat lowered, manned
by god crew. 1t was doubtful. however.
if the frail vessel would live in the heavy
sea now raging. The spray broke over it IN
clouds. deluging its occupents to the skin,
and almost sweeping them from their thwarts.
while the gunwales, Ruling under, took in
such great quantities of water that one man
was kept constantly bailing.
Meanwhile. Tom Bunk, having reached
his brother, who was unable to swim, held
him firmly. keeping his head above water,
and encouraging him with hopes of being
speedily picked up by the approaching boat.
The captain of the Campbell, with great
difficulty. had ve,red ship. so that the craft
now was approaching the seamen with rapid
ity. tossing the water from her bows, and
roaring like mad bull.
The boat soon was alongside the two
brothers, who were promptly picked up and
now all ewes were turned toward the ship
rs she came booming and numbering on
The men aboard all clustered about the
bows. watching the tossing b rat with breath
less Interest and anxiety. while the captain,
trumpet in hand, stood issuing his orders
to the helmsman.
"Luff! luff, there, at the wheel'l" he
screamed. as a great sea lifted the ship and
bore her crashing along toward the boat
Lively tuSIc. vi VIC IL Iuh luCh uo"H
Two men were stationed at the wheel
and were. therefore. able to obey the order
promptly. The ship. however. could not oe
brought up quarter Of u point.
Square in the yards" yelled the skip
per. up with that wheel, :"
As he could not luff, he bad hopes o.
clearing the boat by keeping off.
The sturdy helmsmen raised the whee
quickly, and doubtless the craft would have
answered it at once, but for a huge counter
sea, which came crashing against her wealth
er bow with the noise of thunder, making
every timber reel. Now she came steadily
on toward the boat, which the mate wa'
vainly endeavoring to direct to one side
The muItitudinous irregular chopping seas
crossing each other, prevented him from
steering the boat as he wished to do, go tha
there seemed every prospect of her being
run down.
Ay, ay, there's no help for it," remark
ed an old sailor, who pulled the 'midshiE
oar. we are bound to be Iun down by tina
ship. Heaven have mercy on us J"
% If that dear old gal only knew enough
ofsea matters to stand by with n rope. sh'
might help us after we are stoven," remark
ed one Of tne men.
The person alluded to was Grace Worrel
WHO suuu near the ran aStern watching tht
imperiled men, with pale face and claspec
hands. Her long hair. blown loose by ,ht
wind. hung in thick masses below hei
waist; she looked the very picture Of terror
and anxiety.
On swept the ship with the speed of {
rocket, neither swinging To laboard nor star
board. There was a cracking, crashing
sound. hnarse. gurgling cry, and the boat
stoven by the vessels huge bows, was neve
seen again.
Staggering to a seat near the cabin window
gave full vent to her feelings of anguish.
There was a shout of grief from the mer
on deck. and low scream from Grace, who
with hand over her eyes, rushed into tht
cabin. as if to shut out from her menta
vision the circumstances Of that boat being
stoven by that merciless ship.
All were lust-lust-lost !" she NUT
tered. 90. my Gnd how terrible !"
Then she pictured to herself the manly
form and handsome face of Tom Bunk
whom with suftest eyes she had watched
while he worked below or aloft; she pic
tured his body being rolled along under the
uarx Keel OF the tempest driven ship. A:
'nis thought entered her mind, she fancied
she heard faint cry.
., Help help help -
que rose quickly. She threw her dark
h", PACK from her ears, and with neck
Afensa hke an antelnpe's, listened inteutly