The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-03-25
A Fight with astorm.

skn-N hat
age, and they made me mA'e vi sne SUPP anu
s, 20 a GOOD silver watch and chain a
ess,cb that went to the bottom of the sea FIVE
wsa,s after, in a wreck off the Irish coast, by
'Waxford, when / and elk more swan ashore,
savinR our lives, and thankful for them.
For the see swallows up a wonderful store
Of wealth every season; and it meant TO have
our ship too, that year l was made mate,
only we escaped it.
1t happened like this. We were bound
for Cadlz in large. handsome, new brig,
having on boa I'd rich cargo for besides
heavy value in gold, we had lot OF Valus-
BILE new machinery, that had been made for
the Spanish government by one OF our large
manufacturers somewhere inland. But
besides this, there was q vast quantity OF
iron. in long, heavy cast pillars. A huge
wel1ht they we're. and we shook our heads
at them as they were lowered down into the
hold. for we thought of what nice cargo
they would turn out, if we should have a
heavy passage. We had about score OF
gers, too, and amongst them was a
fine gentlemAuly fellow, going out with MS
wife, aud he was 10 superintend the hitting
up the machinery, several OF the other pas
sengers being his men
IL was a new, well found vessel, and fresh
in her paiu,; and with her clean canvas, and
all smart. we we're rather proud of that boat.
But we'd only just got beyond the Lizard
when it came on to blow. just as it can blow
off there in February, with rain, and snow,
and hail; and we were at last glad to send
before the gale under bare poles.
Night and day, then, night and day follow
ing, one another fast, with matches battened
down, and the ship laborng so that it
seemed as il every minute must be her last.
She was too heavily laden; and instead Of her
being q ship 20 float out the 6ercest storms,
here we were loaded down, 80 that she lay
rolling and pitching in a way that herseams
began to open, and soon every hand had to
take his turn at the pumps.
The days broke heavy and cloudy, and
the nights came on with the darkness awful,
aud the gale seeming to get tercer, tall at
last, worn out, sailors and passengers gave
IN. the pumps were abandoned, and refus-
ing one and all to stay below, men and
women were clustered together, getting the
best shelter they could.
81 don't ike to see d good new ship 90 to
the bottom like this, ! shouted in one my
mates ears, aud he shouted back something
about iron and nodded, for we all knew
that those great pillars down below were
enough to sink the finest vessel that ever
hoated.
Just then 1 saw the skipper go below,
while the gentleman who was going out to
superintsnd was busy lAshing one of the
life-buoys to his wife.
THAT ain'G no good" ! shouted to him,
going up on hands and knees, for the sea a.
times was enough to wash you overheard AS
she dipped and rolled as though she would
send her masts over the side every moment
But got to where they were holding on at
last; and seeing that, landsmanIke, he
knew nothing of knotting and flashing,
made the life-buoy fast, just q great
wave leaped over the bows, and swept the
ship from stem 10 stern.
As soon as | conld get my breath,
looked round, to fnd that where the mate
and three passengers were standing min
ute before, was now an empty space while
on turning to the poop, and looking over,
there was nothing to be seen but the fierce
rushing waters.
got back 70 where those two were cling
ing together, and though feeling selfish, as
most men would, | couldn't help thinking
how sad it would be tor young handsome
couple like them to be lost, for knew we'll
enough that though abe was dashed to the
life buoy, the most that would do would be
to keep her afoat till she died of cold and
exhaustion.
"Cau nothing be done? ?" Mr.. Valance
for that was his nsme-shouted in my ear.
WELL said, shouting again, ''if was
captain, l should run all risks, and get
some of that iron over the side
"Wby don't he do ii, then ?" he exclaimed;
and OF course being nobody on board that
snip, could only shake my head.
JUST then Mrs. alliance turned upon me
such pIElful look, as she took tighter hold
of her husbAnd-A look that seemed to say
to me "Oh, save him, save him !" And
don I know how it was, but feeling that
something ought to be done, crept along
once more TO the captains cabin, aud going
down, there, In the dim light, | could see
him sitting on locker, with a bottle In his
hand, and a horrible wild stupid look on his
face, which told me in IA moment that he
wasn't a lit man to have been trusted with
the lives OF forty people in good new ship
Then | stood halt be Wlldered for few mo-
.ments, but directly after was up on deck,
and alongside of Mr.. Valance.
"Wil you stand by NE, sir" l says, "lf
I'm took to task for what / do?"
what are you going to do p be says.
"Shy that iron over the side"
"To the DEATH my man !"
"Then lash her fast where she is" l said,
nodding TO Mrs. Valance ''aad, in God s
name, come on
saw the poor things arms 20 tight round
his neck, and though | couldn't hear a word
she said, new it meant: "Uon't leave me, >
but he just pointed upwards q moment
kissed her tenderly !; and then, helping
we made her fast and the next minute were
alongside the matches, just over when
knew the great pillars to lie.
knew it was q desperate thing to do, bu
it was our only chance and swinging round
the fore-yard, and rigging up some tackle
the men saw what was meant, and gave Q
bit of q cheer. Then they clustered
together, passengers and men, while
shouted to Mr.. Valance, offering him his
choice-to 20 below with another, to make
fast the rope to the pillars, or to stay on
deck.
He chose going below; and warning him
that we should clap on the matches from
time to time, to keep out the water, got
hold of a maFlinspike, loOsened the tarpau
lin little, had one hatch of, and then
stationed two on each aide, to try and keep
the opening covered every time wave came
on board.
1t seemed little better than making a way
10 for the sea TO send US to the bottom BIT
once bat | knew that it was our only hope.
and preserved. Mr.. Valance and one OF
the men went below, the tackle was lowered,
aud IN less time than | expected they gave
the signal to haul up. We hanled-the head
OF the pillar came above the cOamings, went
high up, then lowered down till one end
rested on the buiwArks the rope was cast
OH and then, with cheer, in spite of the
rolling OF the ship, it was sent over the side
to disappear in the boiling sea.
Another, and another, aud another weigh
ing full six hundred weight apiece. we HAD
over the side, the nen working now fsrcelv
and with something like hope in their
breasts; and then l roared to them IN boI3