The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1873-10-02

lashed myself securely, waiting
anxiously for daylight to dawn
Each minute expected the shell
would 60 to pieces, and my body
be dashed with irresistible force
npon the sharp, Jagged edges o
the reef. But, fortunately for me,
the gale had reached its height
and I could sec that it wac grow
ing less intense in ils fury.
AS the morning dawned, the
breakers gradually died away to q
low moan, and the gale had calmed
down to stiff but steady breeze
With a prayer ofgratiiude tremb
ling on my lips at my narrow cs-
cape, | cut myself loose, and eau
tiously grorel around, hoping to
find some one who had been as
fortunate as myself. Stumbled
over something near the bumpkln
bits, found, on examination,
that it was n man, and as it grew
lighter, ] was at last enable .o
make ont the features of
Watsor.
Although hedesefved but little
care or pity from my hands, still
| could not see human being
suffer and die while l was able to
render any assistance, even if that
human being was my worst
enemv, Ichafed his hands, brought
some brandy from the cabin and
poured it down his throat, which
lad a salutary effect, and seeing
he would soon recover, | left him
while | surveyed the situation on
all sides.
The reef was narrow, but of
considerable length, and the stern
of the Sultan was wedgcd firmly
in between the two walls of coral.
Away, as far as the eye could
reach, a long low black streak
was visible. To an inexperienced
eye it would have passed for Il
cloud lowering on the horizon,
but | knew that it was land, and
as l turned towards the poop
again, my eyes suddenly rested
oh the light, fast sailing gig that
was lashed firmly to eyebolts along
the break of the lousc.
1t was comparatively an easy
iob to swing the light boat over
the side by the means of tackles
which | rove for the purpose.
Watson was sitting mp watching
me with a listless apathy. His
spirits, nerve and brute strength
appeared 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 satisfaction l.
soon had the boat in tho water
floating alongside. The mast
was soon stepped, and a sail rig
ged, whiletwo pairs of oars lay
ready for use. In as few words as
possible ! told Watson my plans.
pointing out the looui If the land
In the distance. With a wild eager
expression he glanced earnestly
in the direction pointed ont, and
as | descended to tho cabin for
the purpose Of attempting to save
some provisions and wa'er in tie
case Of need, | left him Learning on
the taffrail watching the boat rs
it grated ander the counter. |
slowed an arnfnl Of packages
away in the boat, leaving Watson
standing in tl'e same position, he
not Offering to assist me.
Returning TO the cabin for a
fresh supply, twas soon busy search.
ing for Whatever | c,nld find
uninjnred. Suddenly 1 fancied
that [ heard the flap Of sail, as
though the sheet which was slack
was haulted aft. Listening for an
instant, strained my ear to catch
the chatting Of tho boat occasioDed
ny the light swell, but not sound
could | hear. All was silent as
the grave, except the occasional
swash or thunp OF a sea as it ran
alongside.
A hoarsc shout, which came
floating through the confined space
Of the cabin, caused me to scram-
ble rnadly towards the companiU iUn-
way,my heart beating wildly with
uodcfined fear. Gaining the stairs,
| was soon on eck,and at a little
distance from the wreck sat Wat
SON in tic. c.s'ern sheets of the gig,
holding the slrcct in Iris hand,
while a mocking smile OF triumph
played around his lips.
UAh NJ Tuck olIoS ,na N |