Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-10-04


proved to be the key / was after, and with
renewed hspe tugging at my heart, mace
haste TO insert it in the socket. WORKED
with patience and caution spurred on "
fear. By means of my teeth succeeded
finally in turning the instrument, the spring
few back and was Tree.
/ again rushed on deck and dashed my
self securely, waiting sHxieusly for dayngne
to dawn. Each minute expected the sneii
would go to pieces, and my body be dashed
with irresistible force upon the sharp,
Jagged edges of the rock. But, fortunately
for me, the gale had reached It's height, and
l could perceive that it was growing less IN
tense in its fury. As morning dawned, the
breakers gradually died away to low
moan, and the gale had Gained down 10 9
stiff but steady breeze. With 8 prayer OF
gratitude trembling on my lips at my mar
row escape, cast myself loose, and cau'
tiously groped around, hoping to find SONS
one who had been as fortunate IS myself.
Stumbling over something near the bump
kin bits, found, on examination, thai IL
was 8 man, snd SIS 1t grew lighter, / was az
last enabled to make out the features OF
Watson. Although he deserved but little
care or pity at my hands, still could not
see q hum an being suffer and die while !.
was able to render any assistance, even II
that human being was my worst enemy. l
chafed his hands, Thought some brandy
from the cabin and poured it down his
throat, which had saluiary effect, and see
ing that he would s5on recover, left him,
while surveyed the situation on all sides.
The reef vas narrow, but Of considerable
length, and the stern of the Sultan was
wedged firmly 10 betwt en- two walls OF
coral. Away, as far as the eye cOu reach,
a long, los, black streak was visible. 10
an mex perienced eye, it would have passed
for cloud lowering on the b 5rizon, but l
knew that 1t was land, and as / turned
toward the poop again, my eyes suddenly
rested on the light, fast-ssiling gig that was
lashed firmly to the eye-bolts along the
break of the house. 1t was comparatively
an easy job to swing the light boat over the
side by the means Of tackles, which rove
for the purpose. Watson was sitting up,
watching me with listless apathy. His
spirits, nerve and brlte strength ap-
peared to have deserted him. In
answer to my question as to how
he felt, he replied that his head
ached, and his body was so sore that he
could scarcely move. To my intense salts
faction, soon had the boat in the water,
floating lightly alongside. The msst was
soon stepped and sail rugged, while two
pair of oars lay ready for use. In as few
words as possible told Watson my plans,
pointing out the loom of the land in the dis
lance. With wild, eager expression, he
glanced earnestly in the direction pointed
ont, and as descended to the cabin for the
purpose Of attempting to save some pro-
visions and water, In case of need, l left
him leaning on the tsffrail watching the
boat as it grated under the counter. l
slowed an armIul of packages away in the
boat, leaving Watson standing in the same
position, he not offering to assist me.
Returning to the cabin for fresh supply,
was soon busy searching for whatever l
could find uuinjured. Suddenly fancied
that heard the flap of a sal, as though the
sheet, which was slack, was hauled off.
Listening for an instant, I strained my ear
to catch the chatting of the boat, occasioned
by the light swell, but not a sound could
hear. Ali was silent as the grave, except
the occasional swash or thump of sea as
it ran alongAide A hosrse shout which
cams floating through thu confined space Of
the cabin, caused me to scramble madly
toward the companion-way, my heart beat
ing wildly with underlined fear. Gaining
the stairs was soon on deck, and at little
distance from the wreck sat Watson, In he
stern sheets of the gig, holding the sheeting
In his hand, while mocking smile of tri-
umph played around his lips.
Sab, Mr.. Jack, allow me to thank you for
the kindness ard forethought in fitting oui
| chic boat To- hnr1t RI 1aauo fOr do.
| sirable location, and trust you will be able
| send you assistance. By the way, MAJ
have the pleasure of seeing your wife be-
fore 1 return. Have you any word ?"
"Fiend!" shouted, @will you leave me
here to perish?"
A loud laugh was the answer that mad
dened me beyond all control. With one
foot en- the rail, was on the point of le.p
ing into the water, with the desperate hops
of ovsrtaking him by swimming, when
l caught sight of small triangular fin
moving slowly through the water. 1t wa
large shark, and, with shudder, drew
back, giving up my wild undertaking. Wat
son, satisfied with bis revenge, had hauled
the sheet aft, and the light breeze filling th5
sail, the boat glided rapidly away in the di.
rection of the distant land. Bitter and aw
full were the feelings that surged through
my breast as watched that villain Iecedin
from view. Ny last hope was gone. ! mus
die alone and deserted.
Watson, in token of . last ami final farewell
stood up in the stern sheets of the gig, wav
ing his hat derisively above bis head. A
the same time flaw of wind struck thu
frsil craft, causing it to shoot up into tn
wind with sudden -rk. The wretch los
his footing, striving in vain to recover hi
balance, and, in his Efforts, the gig careened
pitching the occupant headlong into th
clear blue waters. A long, dark SHADOW
passed swiftly along, wild shrek Of morta
agony rang out upon the air, q tinge OF Grim
son stresked the blue water; ard all wa
over. .-s. ,-..i-
Csptsin Watson had received the rewsr
be so well merited for the treachery he ha
practiced upon me. With eager eyes
watched the course of the boat, IS it slowl
drifted before the wind, andso found tina
it would pass close under the stern. Low
ering myself into the water, l watched 70
favorable opportunity, and with fe7
strong strokes, gained possession Of tn
coveted prize. At a late hour the next da
l hauled the gig up on the beach of the dis
tant land had seen.
It proved to be one of the many island
composing the Maldives, and the native
treated me with great kindness. Throug
their aid was enabled to reach Ceylon, an
from there embarked for home, whic
closed up the disastrous voyage.
|
From the Sparta Inder:: On the afternoo
of Saturday the 9th ult., an unknown ru
fan entered the sidencs of Mr.. j. 3
Gardenhire on West Bridge street, and afte
taking thorough survey of the premise:
inquired of Mrs. Gardenhire whether SD
was alone "No" she replied, courugeousl
siezing pistol which lay on the bureau
The cowardly wretch could not bear til
sight of pistol 10 the hands of q brav
woman, so he beat hasty retreat. Whel
Mr.. Gardenhire returned, about an hou
after, it was almost dark, but he immed
at ly set cut in pursuit, accompanied by
number of friends. We regret howevt
that the pursuit vas unsuccessful.
BLOOD WILL TELL.
From the New York Herald.
.Every one to bis trade" is trite adag
and it has, it seems, been fully exempli6e
during the past Ten or twelve years in tW
prominent families in this country, th
fighting McCooks and the office-holdln
W. shburns, as will be seen by the folloWir