Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-05-28
NO. 1877.

how there's fifty thousand Atlantic Oceans
between US, get wild. I've thought of
it some nights, Miss. till couldn't bear it
any longer, and I've jest jumped forrard
and gone to Iickin' the sailors, to keep
from goin' crazy"
"Mr. Jones. Mr.. Jones!" came the
sharp call of the Captain, cutting short
the poor fellows confession.
LAY, ay, sir he answered, and went
to meet his sober, but by no means sane
commander. ''Why haven't you got the
o'gallants'ls set, sir9 Didn't tell you to
give her all she'd carry ?"
"The fore-to'g 'gallant-y yards little sprung,
sir, and | wasn't sure of its bearin' the
SAIL" answered Mr. Jones.
"I1l do the thinking for this ship, Mr..
Jones-if you have no objection" returned
the Captain "Set the fore and mizzen-
to'gallant'ls, and don't you start sheet
until give you word"
Tho top-gallant sails were sheeted home,
and the yards hoisted. The wind, which
had been blowing strongly all day, had
freshened as the sun set, and was now
blowing stiff gale from the eastward.
The ship staggered and plunged under her
canvas. The Captain walked the deck
with quick, nervous step. He was in
tensely irritable. from the effects of his
prolonged debauch, and though quite So
ber, was goaded by his unstrung nerves
into reckless impatience that found re-
lief only in the excitement of driving his
ship to the utmost of her capabilities. l
listened with uneasiness to the howling of
the wind through the rigging, and debat-
ed the question, whether to go to sleep,
and so forget the danger we were in, or to
1a.,lr and oh ,,,vcaIF ff,rf-
able, by watching for the disaster which
apprehended My decision was quicken
ed by sudden order from the Captain.
Mr.. Jones, set the main-royal"
'.Set the main-royal, sirpn repeated the
astonished Second Mate, in doubtful
tone.
'.Set the mam-royal, sir. Do you hear?"
roared the Captain '.Loose all three Of
them, and set them instantly If you don't
know how to sail ship with u fair wind,
I'll show you.a
Mr. Jones hesitated no longer. In q
few moments the royals were spread to
the gale; but before the yards were trim
med was on deck.
Miss Ellis had disappeared, and the Sec
ond Mate was evidently averse to conver-
satlon. l noticed that a man fingered
near the nizzen-rigging after the rest of
the watch had gone forward. So. too. did
the Captain, who walked abruptly up to
the sailor, and demanded to know what he
was waiting for.
'-Mr Jones ordered me to stand by the
halliards, sir" answered the man.
q, go forward II yelled the Captain. ''Mr.
Jones, / want you to understand that
when I'm on deck | can sail this ship
without any of your interference. Let
me see any more of it, and I'll put you in
irons for mutiny: by G-tn
Poor Mr.. Jones gave no answer. Him
self the most intolerant and cruel of dis
ciplinarians, he did not resent the rating
of his commander When that amiable
officer turned away, his subordinate passed
over to the other side of the deck, and
leaned quietly against the bulwarks.
An hour passed away, 1t was a starless
night. and TO the danger of running ashore
was added the other danger of a possible
collision with some passing vessel. |
thought of this: and was just about to pick
my way forward, to satisfy myself that
the lookout was not asleep, when the
Second Mate suddenly placed his hand to
his ear, and bent forward, as though listen
ing intently. In another moment sharp,
piercing cry rang from the forecastle-
breakers ahead r
LET 90 yerroyal and to gallant halliards
fore and aft :" roared the Second Mate.
'Stand by yer top-sail halliard. Man the
port braces, some of us; and stand by to
slack the starboard braces Call all hands.
Bout ship!n
But, while the light sails were yet flut-
teripg in the caps, and before the yards
could be swung, so as to change the YES
sells course, she struck heavily, bows on
the main and fore top-gallant masts 60
ing over the side, and dragging the mizzen
top-mast with them. At the same moment
an enormous green sea boarded us on the
quarter, sweeping away the wretched
Captain, several of the crew, and the First
Mate. who was ON deck few seconds
after she struck. Luckily, was too far
forward to receive the fun force of the
wave, and, and ;ss the deck was clear
of water, Mr. Jones made his way to my
side, and said H'Go below and bring the
gal forard to the fo'castle. Steady, now;
and don't get yourself overheard
BY narrowly watching our opportunity,
Dick, Miss Ellis. her father, and myself
managed to gain the forecastle. Mr..
Jones, bareheaded, and with his coat off,
was busily superintending the cutting
away of the masts, and the clearing ofthe
wreck, which was humping against the
side with dangerous violence. Relieved
from the weight of her top-hamper the
ship rose somewhat, and drove farther in
upon the sand. The seas boarded us less
frequently; but the ship pounded on the
beach with violence which placed her in
imminent danger of breaking up.
When he had done what he could for our
momentary safety, Mr.. Jones called the
crew, aId said ''If any of you want to try
the boat, you can do it. | shant. You
can't be no more use here, but it's the safest
place for you. However, if you want to
take to the boat, won't stand in your way"
''Well take the boat. Mr.. JONES'" re-
piled one of the men. ''She'll 60 to pieces
in half an hour, and you'd bettercome with
u.s."
Not IT, returned the Second Mate,
laughing. Il don't take no boating ex-
cursions in this weather. Wear away the
boat if you want to, and good luck to YOU"
And then turning to the passengers, he
continued III you'll take my advice, you'll
stop aboard. She'll last some time yet,
4 r.1I -, ~ L0a h<,e .>oI