Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-05-17

.@.crcve,sel csn live in night like this"
saii vcung Brewster. the widows son.
Are there many vessels On this coast?'
Inquired.
Zoo many, alas Scarcely year pass.
"a BIZ that some Noble ship is not lost. !
have seen moro than one fuil-freighted
merchantman dashed on the rock, crashed
to pieces, and captain and crew swept
awav."
"aow do you manage in case of such
accidents ?"
1--WE have a life.boat here. We venture
In that. Sometimes we have the good
fortune to secure all; ut others we are
driven hack, baffied, defeated"
al should think it impossible for even
the strongest boat to live in sea such as
RACES without"
..But life boats, you know are peculiarly
constructed. They are strong. yet light;
are thoroughly equipped, made to battle
with the tiercest elements. Each sailor
has his Jacket of cork, and the gunwaie
of the boat is festooned with ropes, to
which the sinking NAV cling in an upset.
II understand. But it must be irigltfui
to venture out amidst choking pillows.
tossing and fre,ting in their wild delirlum.'
..True. The life of sailor is always
venturesomc; and ii he does not learn to
despise danger. he is not easily appalled,
by its presence"
Thus talking the evening wore on, and
at late hour we retired To rest. But not
to sleep. could not sleep in such a conn
motion. The house trembled as though
itwere leaf. The wind was Il hurricane.
Te ~r,h.ot1AA and r.,,ra,1 fhrn,xrh
crack. 1t filed earth and air with the tu-
~ Of its noise. The sashes in the win
dows ratified and shook. Sheets of water
dashed against them and ran gurgling in
streams to the ground had seen storms
before, but never one like this. 1t was
more than grand; it was solemn and fear
full. felt subdued. 1t seemed rs If ev-
erything must be carried away. Soon at
ter midnight, was awakened from a doze
into which had fallen by sound as if
something had fallen to the floor. 1t was
dull. heavy thud. sprang to my feet
and rushed to the window Nothing was
visible and the sound was not repeated.
But voices were heard in the apartment
below, and young Brewster called to me
from the foot of the stairs, saying he be-
lieved there was a vessel in distress.
This, then was the sound had heard
the boom probably of the first signal gun
Hastily donning my clothes and pea jack
ct. assuming my cap and buttoning my
coat up closely to my chin, ventured out,
in company with Brewster and Vincent
Burgh. We CROPPED our way to the top OF
the cliff. 1t was fearfuly dark. We were
obliged to move cautiously, rs misstep
would have beon dangerous. The tide
was at food. 1t dashed on the rocks with
deafening roar, and sent up shattered
spouts in the air, and clouds OF dense and
binding spray. Wrathful, indeed, was
the angry sky. And as the wind howled
and roared around US. it seemed as if de-
mons were loosed, and were jibing and
moaning in the ominous air.
"Boom!'
clark"
''Boom!'
"A gun! Yes, gun. a signal of dis
tress! Some vessel is in peril out there. -
Such were the words / addressed TO
Burgh. Already Brewster was down on
the shore. The first gun had attracted
his attention. He knew what was pend
ing and was ready for duty. hi vain We
sought to pierce the darkness. 1t was us
wall before us, dense and impenetrable.
Presently it lighted li,tle-jjust little
faint, sullen glimmer-a mere opening
or rift in the clouds. But it was enough
for our purpose, and straining our eye
balls till they almost burst from their sock
cts, we caught glimpse OF the doomed
vessel. 1t was not far of,-some two or
three miles; but oh ! what IA bowling
waste was between! Was 1t possible for
her to escape? We had thrown ourselves
down on the edge of the cliff, and wee
anxiously waiting for further develop
ments. Never did feel as helpless as
now. / was not a sailor. knew little
of the sea. 1t had been to me hitherto
glorious picture. Accustomed to gaze on
its more tranquil moods, could scarce
comprehend the extent OF its power. Now
it was like a mighty giant, towering in
rage, and fierce for the battle.
''Ho! there :" voice cried. which
recognized as Brewstcr's
and Immediately the voice was answered
by another:
"Hilloo!"
Jack. is that youP''
Gay, ay"
"Where are the rest of the boys?"
Coming! coming!'
Soon other voices were heard on the
strand and group of eight staiwart fel
lows were clustered there, eagerly dis
cussing the fate OF the vessel
ut seems almost madness to venture
ont now" l heard Brewster say, in
low, hurried Tone
YES" was the reply from his compan-
ions. ut is quite too dark to see our way.
l wish it would light up little"
Boom
IL can't stand that" cried Brewster,
excitedly. 1--WE must do something. Hill
loo! up aloft." he shouted to us.
CONCLUDED To MORROW