River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-11-11

seldom addressed me except when alb
solutely compelled, seeming to avoid
and shun me, with which behavior
was secretly pleased. thinking that so
long as we remained apart there was
but little possibility OF our having any
trouble. | was watchful and guarded
IN all my actions, being convinced that
Watson only lacked the opportunity to
wreak vengeance and hate upon me.
The weather was warm aud sultry, SO
much so that I was forced to move my
desk from the state-room l occupied to
the cabin, | was busy with my &C
counts, papers, etc, never once dream
ing OF giving offense, when a quick,
heavy step sounded behind me, and the
next instant my desk was sent spinning
IN one direction, while l was whirled in
another.
Confound your impudencc ~ were
the first words | heard as | gathered
myself up, and collected my scattered
senses. Who gave you permission to
clutter up my cabin, turning it into an
Officer am strongly tempted to kick
you on deck, you sneakiLg. quill.
driving, good-for. nothing land clab. :"
found myself confronted by Wat.
son, who was foaming and frothing inn
potent fury. His breath was almost
exhausted after delivering this beaati-
full harangue TO which l listened with
blood boiling with rage.
Completely losing my temper, for
getful of all rules of caution, planted
blow full in the bully's face that
caused him TO reel and stagger, while
the blood spurted forth as sufficient
evidence of the force of my attack.
With cry like an enraged bull, he re-
covered himself, and snatched up a
chair, bringing it down on my head
with crushing violence.
1t must have rendered me insensi-
ble, for when next was able TO think,
act, and see Tor myself, | was lying in
my state.room, with dull, aching sen
sation in my head. | attempted to lift
my hands, but my intense iudigna-
ton, they were handcuffed. The ras-
cal had put me IN irons while | Law in
sensible.
A week passed by, during which he
had the effrontery to place me on bread
and water, all OF which indignities |
Immediately resolved should be re-
sented when | had the opportunity.
One night | 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 mapeuvering,
| finally succeeded in gaining the
cabin door, aud standing in the narrow
companionway glanced cautiously
forth.
The heavens were entirely obscured,
not a 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
seu WINS rising rapidly, and occasionally
the white crests of an angry billow
could be seen looming up in the dark
ness as it Kissed and frothed alongside.
With an anxious ear | listened to the
howl and rush of the gale as IT whistled
through the rigging, and the mOurnful
creaking OF the spanker gaff as it swung
to windward.
Both officers and men were busy
taking IN sail, while the Sultan darted
forward, rushing at a mad pace
through the darkness and gloom. As
half crawled, half reeled back TO nv
state-room, thought with a shudder
OF the awful fate which would await
me IN case of any accident happening
to the ship. My mind was haunted
with strange foreoodlngs as | again
sought my pillow, which the soothing
effect of slumber could scarcely drive
from my. brain.
/ was suddenly aroused with a shock
which threw me with violence from nv
berth, while the crash Of falling spars.
mingled with cries of agony and
shr1eks Tor help, penetrated even ia
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 j did so a vast column OF water
poured down through the cabiu sky.
light, causing me TO scramble hastily
across the cabin and crawl up the after
companionway.
As | reached the door a terrible
spectacle was before me. BY the aw-
full glare of the lightning | was able to
snatch momentary glimpses of the
scene. The Sultan, while running
before the gale, had struck on a coral
reef, the whole forward portion of the
ship being forced over the narrow neck
upon winch the after part was resting.
All three masts had gone 10y the board,
and the watch on deck, being forward
at the time, as well as the unfortunate
men who were below in the forecastle,
were swept into eternity without a mo-
ment's warning.
With ananxious eye peered through
the darkness, but could see naught but
the white crests of the mighty rollers
that chased one another in quick sue
cessior, while the boom and roar OF
the breakers fell upon my ear as though
rejoicing over the havoc and ruin theg
had helped 10 bring upon the once
staunch and noble Sultan. | rushed