Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-11-06


ful harangue to which I listened with
blood boiling with rage.
Completely losing my temper, for
eettul OF all rules of caution, I planted
Il blow full in tue bully's face that
caused him to reel and stagger, while
the blood spurted forth as sufficient
evidence of the force of nv attack.
With cry like an enraged bull, he re-
covered himself, and snatched no a
chair, bringing it down on nv head
with crushing violence.
1t must have rendered me insensi-
bic, for when next was able to think.
act, and see for myself, was living in
my state.rOom, with dull. aching sen.
sation in my head. attempted TO lift
my hands, but t. my intense indigna-
ton, they were handcuffed. The ras-
cal had put me in irons while I lay in
sensible.
A week passed by, during which he
had the effrontery to place me on bread
and water, all Of which indignities I
Immediately resolved should be re.
scented when l had the opportunity.
One night I was awakened by the
tramping of men as they hurried to and
fro, while the oaths of Watson, the
thumps of heavy sea under the coun-
ter, and an occasional pitch and roll OF
the Sultan were sufficient indications
that gale of wind was blowing. With
caution and considerable mapoeuverinp.
finally succeeded in gaining the
cabin door, and standing in the narrow
companionway glanced cautiously
forth.
The heavens were entirely obscured,
not star or ray of light was visible;
except the vivid flashes of lightning
which lit up the dark background with
an intense glare, followed by the low
mutter and growing of the distant
thunder, and darkness ten times more
profound than before the flash. The
sea was rising rapidly, and occasionally
the white crests of an angry biilow
could be seen looming up in the dark
ness as it hissel and frothed alongside.
With an anxious ear I listened to the
howl and rush of the gale as it whistled
through the rigging, and the mournful
breaking of the spanker gait as it swung
to windward.
Both officers and men were busy
taking in sail, while the Sultan darted
fol- award, rushing at mad pace
through the darkness and gloom. As
l half crawled, half reeled back to my
state-1ooln, thought with shudder
of the awful fate which would await
me in case of any accident happening
to the ship. My mind was haunted
with strange forebodlngs as I again
sought my pillow, which the soothing
effect of slumber could scarcely drive
from my brain.
I was suddenly aroused with shock
which threw me with violence from my
berth, while the crash of falling spars,
mingled with cries of agony and
shrleks for help, penetrated even to
my state-room. A series of sudden
jars followed one another in rapid sue.
cession, and with difficulty succeeded
in forcing back my state-room door.
AS 1 did SO vast column of water
poured down through the cabin sky
light, causing me to scramble hastily
across the cabin and crawl up the after
companionway.
As I reached the door terrible
spectacle was before me. By the aw-
A"A 6A"A0 "a WIG A6AS4Au6 W0e UOlo "
snatch momentary glimpses of the
scene. The Sultan, while running
before the gale, had struck on q coral
reef, the whole forward portion of the
ship being forced over the narrow neck
upon which the after part was resting.
All three masts had gone by the board,
and the watch on deck, being forward
at the time, as we'll as the unfortunate
men who were below in the forecastle,
were swept into eternity without mo-
ment's warning.
With an anxious eye Ipeered through
the darkness, but could see naught but
the white crests of the mighty rollers
that chased one another in quick sue
cession, while the boom and roar OF
the breakers fell upon my ear as though
rejoicing over the havoc and ruin they
had helped to bring upon the once
staunch and noble Sultan. Irushed
back to the cabin, which was rapidly
filing with water. My only thought
was to free myself from the internal
bands that rendered me incapable of
helping myself. I was we'll aware that
the irons, arms, ETC., were slowed away
in the captains room for safety, in case
they should be wanted; therefore 1
naturally supposed that the key must
be there also.
After great deal of trouble I sue
ceeded in lighting candle mot with
out stopping at times and listening to
the dread sounds raging about me);
then commenced the search upon
which depended my life or death.
Keys ! found in profusio,,, but not the
right one. I we'll nigh despaired of
success, when discovered small dark
object hanging from hook over the
head of the captains berth. 1t proved
to be the key 1 was after, and with re-
newed hope Juggling at my heart I
made haste to insert it in the socket.
1 worked with patience and caution,
spurred on by fear. By means Of my
teeth I succeeded in turning the in
strument, the spring flew back, and I
was free.
Iagain rushed on deck, and dashed
myself securely, waiting anxiously for
daylight to dawn. Each minute / ex-
pected the shell would go to pieces,
and my body be hurled with irresisti
bic force upon the sharp, ragged edges
of the rock. But, fortunately for me,
the gale had reached its height, and /
could perceive that it was growing less
intense in it's fury.
As morning dawned, the breakers
gradually died away to low moan,
and the gale had Gained down to q stiff
but steady breeze.
With prayer of gratitude trembling
OH my lips at my narrow escape, cast
myself loose, and cautiously CROPPED
around, hoping to find some one who
had been as fortunate as myself.
Stumbling over something near the
pumpkin bits, found on examination
that it was man, and as it grew light
er, was at last enabled to make out
the features of Watson.
Although he deserved but little care
or pity at my hands, still 1 could not
see a human being suffer and die
while was able to render any assist
ance, even if that human being was my
worst enemy. chafed his hands,
brought some brandy from the cabin
and poured it down his throat, which
had a salutary effect, and seeing he
would soon recover, left him, while I
surveyed the situation on all sides.
The reef was narrow, but of consid-
erable length, and the stern of the Sui
tan was wedged firmly in between two
walls Of coral. Away, AZ far as the eye
could reach, IL long, low, black streak
WIS visible. To an inexperienced eye
it would have passed for Il cloud how
ering on the horizon, but l knew That
it WAS land, and Us turned toward the
poop again., my eyes suddenly rested
on the LIGHT. st-sniliDc gig Tint wns