The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-06-16

| AAhtH tHhN WAAAIh AuAAhNA w hAN 1AhAAAAB
Of the ship. He was young, not more
than thirty, rather tlne.looking, and a
sOilor man, every inch OF him. The
morning after oyerhearing what the
captain Of the Sea Horse had said, re-
marked to our skipper, while at the
breakfast-table:
"' The Sea Horse will be ready for
sen about the timo we are, SIR
{" Yes, Ihope So
"'That's what her captain hopes he
says il we don't get more than three
days start OF him he will let our con-
signees in Liverpool know we are CONF
ing
d. How did you learn that ?"
al heard him tell gentleman 80
last night in the What Cheer House.
"Confound tho fellows impudenceF I
"Two or three dAys after clerk in
our consignees' office told me our cap
tain and the captain OF the Sea Horse
had met, and after chatting one another
in friendly manner, had finally each
deposited five hundred dollars with our
consignees, the captain Of the ship first
in dock at Liverpool to draw on them at
sight for the whole Rmount-a thousand
dollars.
"The report Of an intended race from
San Francisco to Liverpool between m
American and Scotch clipper soon got
spread about the city, and the amount
OF money stakcl on the result must
have had q thousand added to 1t by
every person who repeated the report,
for 1t soon became fabulous rs regards
the dollars.
"Both ships were finally ready for
sen, and hauled out from the wliarves
to be taken in tow by the tugs. A great
many people assembled to SEQ us of,
and when we were fairly on our way out
of the harbor, both ships were greeted
by cheers and steam whistles. The
tugs cast us off when of the Farallones,
and under a cloud Of canvas, with fair
wind, we started on our long race. We
parted company the first night out, and
you may be sure there wasn't much rest
for officers or men on board either ship
at all events there wasn't on board the
White Swallow. Capt. Adams carried
sail very hard, night and day, and spent
most Of his time on deck /; not that he
was afraid the mate or myself would
shorten sail before 1t was necessary; for
il We were not SO much interested in
beating the Sea Horse as he was, We
wanted to do 1T for the honor OF the ship
and flag.
at used to stand on deck and watch
the little ship dive into the seas, and
hold my breath as the drenching show
ers Of spray camo flying over the
weather.rail; then, as soon rs tho salt
water was out Of my eyes, cast an
anxious look aloit to seeif anything had
started. It was fun to hear the crockery
go tumbling about the stewards pan
try, and Captain Adams chcery-
There goes another hole. in my i've
hundred dollars, as some grand smash
occurred.
ave went tearing along with strong
breezes and fair, never needing such
small accidents rs split sail orasprung
yard or two, only as they delayed us in
replacing them. Inever saw crew in
better spirits than eurs; no amount Of
work in their watch on deck or below
made them growl, and at the first callto
make or reduce sail they would come
tumbling out OF the fo'castle, laughing
and making such remarks as, The Sen
Horse may be goer, but she can't fly,
like the White Swallow
Zone morning, when We wero in lati.
tude about twenty degrees south, Ind
the morning watch. The night had
been fine, with strong breeze, and we
were going free under main royal and
topmast stun sail ; but after had been
on deck about half an hour / noticed
the wind got puffy, and each succeed.
ing puff stronger. 1 had hand by the
main royal.halyards, and made up my
mind that II I didn't take that sail off
her, 1t would take itself off. Along came
another puff, and I sung out, Let go
the main royal.halyards, and started
for the weather.brace Just as tho captain
came on deck.
Good morning, Mr.. Blue Jacket ;
getting puffy, is III
I" Yes, sir going to have moro than
We want, I reckon. Shall l furl that
royal, sirI Observation-Disclosures,
Jump up there, two of you boys,
and furl that main.royal.'
"Awny aloft went the two apprentice
boys belonging to my watch, and |
noticed that after getting on the yard,
ono looked to the windward and then
seemed to say something to the other,
then they grabbed up The sail, passed
the yard.arm gaSkets, and while one was
making fast the bunt gasket tho other
chap stood up on the yard, with one
arm around the mast, looking TO wind.
ward and presently he sung out, Sail
hop
"Where awayP"
"on the weather quarter, sir"
"Can you make her out?"
"Just then Captain Adams called out,
"Point to it, my lad" :,
"The moment the boy reported n sail,
the captain, thinking il the Sea Horse,
had gone below to his room for his glass.
After the boy had pointed in the direc;
ton Of the stranger, he swung himself
on to tho main.royal backstay, and
came on deck by the run, rushed up to
me with q frightened look, and in a
hoarse whisper said Its q wreck, sir,
with signal Of distress flying
II turned to report what the boy
said to the captain, and found him
steadying his glass against the mizzen
top.mast backstay; without taking his
eye from the glass, he said, Call all
hands, Mr.. Blue Jacket in stun sail,
zzen-to.gallant.Sail, and aying.iib,
and single reef the top.sails we'll beat
up to those poor fellows
Out tumbled tho watch below, and ns
soon as they heard there was . wreck