The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1870-06-02

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course she struck heavily, bows on-the
| main and fore top- gallant masts going over
/ the side, and dragging the mizzen top mast
/ with them. At the same moment, an enor-
nous green sea boarded Us on the quarter,
! sweeping away the wretched captain, sew
eral OF the crew, and the first mate, who
/ was on deck a few seconds alter the struck
/ Luckily, was too far forward to receive
/ the full force of the wave, and, as soon as
/ the deck was clear of water, Mr.. Jones
made his way to my side and said, 'Go
beloS and bring the gal forrard to the fo'>
castle. Steady, now and don't get your
/ self overheard" "
| BY narrowly watching our opportunity,
Dick, Miss Ellis, her father, and myself
managed to gain the forecas,le. Mr.. Jones,
bareheaded, and with his coat off, was bus-
I ly experimenting the cutting away Of the
masts, and the clearing of the wreck, which
was humping against the side with danger
Gus violence. Relieved from the weight of
her top-hamper, the ship rose somehat
and drove further in upon the sand. The
seas boarded Us less frequently; but the
ship pounded on the beach With a violence
which placed her N imminent danger Of
| breaking up.
When he had done what he could foI
our momentary safety, Mr.. Jones called
the crew and said: IF any of you want
to try the boat, you can do it. | shan't t.
/ on cant be no more use here, but it's
the safest place for you However. if you
want to take 10 the boat | won't stand IN
your way.
Wen take the boat, Mr. Jones" re-
Piled one of the men. ''She'n 90 to
pieces in half an hour, and you better
come with Us.
Not l." returned the second mate,
laughing. Il don't take any boat excur-
siOns Ill this weather. Wear away the
boat If you want to go, and good luck to
yon And then turning to the passen-
gers, he continued: "If you'll take my ad-
vice, yol il stop aboard. She'll last some
time yet, but them fellows i'll the boat'll be
swamped IN ten minutes"
1--WE stay with you said Mary, walk
ing up to Mr.. Jones, and placing her little
hand in his rough brown paws That set
tied the question, for her and the rest Of
US.
The men cleared away leaky beat that
lay bottom upward on the house amid
ships, and, casting off, vanished III the
darkness. Mr. Jones told Us to keep
where we were, while he went aft for
moment.
We watched him cautiously working his
way att to the wheel house, which was
still standing. Presently, he came in sight
again, carrying life buoy. We knew for
whom it was intended.
But just as he had nearly Passed beyond
mighty wave that tore him from his held,
and dashed him against the stump Of the
mainmast Recedng, the wave left. .him
cIingihg to a bolt, but unable to rise.
Dick and | dragged him forward, and laid
HIN with his head in Mary's lap. The
brave fellow had never lost his hold OF the
life preScrver.
and on coming out Of his swoon, said:
near the shore, and If she holds together
till daylight, they may get line to Us. 4"
! ''But are you hurt, dear Alr. Jones?"
cried Mary
I'm done for, Miss" he answered,
shortly. My leg's bro ke, and my ribs is
stove in. Why the h-ll don somebody
hist that lantern where it can be secn?'
We took the ships lantern, which was
still aglow, and fastened it to the head of
the foremast, which had broken just at the
Sings of.the yard.
Il hope you fellows knows what to DO
il they gifts a line aboard?' he asked,
doubtfully We assured him that we did
Then silence fell upon Us, as we sat waiting
for death, or the dawn.
We were huddIed together under the lee
Of the bulwarks The old gentleman said
never word, but, from tie frequent
movement Of his lips, was doubtless pray>
ing for cur safety. Dick, who was tie
coolest Of men, filed and lighted his pipe,
confidently expressing his conviction that
,Io Il, IL
daylight. Mary was silent, s,roking with
gentle hand the weather beaten brow of
the second mate. Did her tenderness
love, or vas it possible that she really cared
for him? Who shall know the fathomless
mysteries of woman's heart?
Hours had passed when Mr.. Jones sud-
: denly opened his eyes, and asked, Has
anybody seen anything of the boat yet?"
| looked over the side, and, by singu-
lar coincidence, caught sight Of boat
) drifting by Us, bottom upward.
The second mate actually laughed. Il
knew it, said he. Il told 'em the boat
wouldn t live in that sea. And if you had
gone with them fellows, it would a been
: all day with you by this time.
He relapsed again into silence and ap
/, parent lnsensibiiity When next he spoke
his mind was evidently wandering. Il
, tell you" ne suddenly cried, in a voice that
startled US with its wild intensity, that
) id chronometer's wrong, and we'll be
ashore before morning. And if that pref
ty young creetur's drowned, IN drown the
old man himself; so help me God p"
The night passed slowly on. The wind
gradually lulled, and the sea perceptiby
: went down. daylight will soon be here,
cried Dick. ave shall be saved yet
Mr.. jones raised his head and looked
out into the night. The calm and resolute
look had returned to his eyes. Il see the
dawn, boys he said; stick By the ship.
The sea going down, and you re as safe as
if you was ashore"
I'VE won't 90 ashore without you, Mr.
Jones, said Mary Il will nurse you day
and night, until you are we'll
"Nursin' won't do me no good, Miss
Mary. You needn't take me ashore. I'd
great sight rather be hove overheard, as
soon as the breath's out Of me. -
ITS growing light fast" said Dick, af,
ter another pause. But the second mate