Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-06-04

other, then out to sea, ana, glanclhS at
Ccnny, drew apart, and whispered:
..Is the Gull" in danger, sir :" she
pulled Cap'n Jobs sleeve. lie did not
look down at her.
Danger, nonsense! You ought to be
in bed, child. Go to the house, and take
Dan. GO at once, tell you ~
COMFY did not go. She saw sail. close
reefed, out in the grey distance, like the
flicker of birds wing.
There's father now!" she cried.
At that moment there was sharp
cracking in the air. The yellow light
was gone. The sea rushed in as if driven
by terror.
ITS come, men, It's come" cried
Cap'n Job.
Cenny had heard of wind-squall which,
fifty years ago, had strewed the shore
with wrecks. She chung to an old spar,
in the sudden darkness and the storm OF
spray and sand that drove over her, cut
ting her hands and face.
tits wind-squall; but it can't hurt
mother-it can't hurt mother!' she cried.
When the darkness passed with the
heavy cloud. she climbed up to the little
headland, and, sheltering her eyes with
one hand, looked steadily out to sea.
The fishermen were near the cove,
watching her, and whispering together:
One of them went to the village and
brought down two or three women.
Manly Hepburn, who was friend of Jane
Van Dort's went up to COMFY.
Come home with me, DEAR" she said:
Dent look out yender," putting her hand
over the girls eyes. Its GROWN clearer,
and the seas ugly to look at after storm ;
weeds and wrecks and dead things are
washed ashore, and
COMFY quietly put down her hand.
II must see the "Gull'' come in.
Mothers aboard"
Manly looked at the men, perplexed.
She wiped her eyes once or twice, and
then put her hands on Conny's shoulders.
There was wind-squall like this once
afore. COMFY"
II know"
"And-and of all the ships within two
miles of the bar, not one lived through it.
Not the big ships, dear! Are you listen
inpn
COMFY, after minute, drew away.
II wish you would go to Dan, Manly,
He's crying yonder. II can't speak to
She put her hand over her eyes again,
looking through the slowly lifted weight
Of mist. Her lips moved.
Dan pulled her by the skirt, after
awhile.
Come away. COMFY" he sobbed.
"They say the "Gull'' has gone down, and
they're afeared for you to stay here"
'.It couldn't 60 down. God wouldn't
let it. I've been prayin'." But her face
was like death as she said it.
The mist has lifted now. Under the pale
twilight lay the vast angry seattle waves
rising out of Ifathomless darkness. Con-
ny caught Dan fiercely by the arm, and
pointed outward. Her lips were to parched
to speak.
The Gull The GULF shouted the
men. Only sea-bred eyes could see the
faroff boat which was dashed to and fro
like bubble. Theirs no chance Their
fur good boat" said Cap'n Job; "but
for that old water log--Take them
children away, Manly. Don't let 'em see
their own nanny 60 down."
The wind beat the masts OF the Gull
level with, the water, once again.
COMFY clinched Dams hand in hers.
pray, Dan! Pray and God can't let
them drown"
A great wave lifted the "Gull' taunt-
ingly ints sight, and then-it was gone
Only black hull was washed above the!
yellow foam for an instant, and sank new
er to rise again.
Manly ran to the child as she fell on the
sand, and carried her to her own house,
but at the door COMFY opened her eyes
and struggled to her feet.
II must 60 home. Mother told me to
take care of Dan and the baby till she
came back"
Manly sobbed ont loud then. She had
been very fond of Jane,
"Child, didn't you see the Gull go
down ?" she said.
"Yes," said COMFY "but was pray
in. Mother ii come back"
She ran along through the darkness to
the cottage. Dan was crouched, crying,
by the fire. She knelt down beside him.
"God wouldn't take them when we was
prayin'," was all she could say.
And there came then a great shouting
and cries without, and the door burst open
and her mother was on the floor and had
them both IN her arms, sobbing and laugh
ing all at once and Ben was talking to
the neigbors, with queer culver in his
voice.
"'Gull' went down Yes, of course
she must hev. She sprung leak an hour
afore the squall struck her, and knew it
was no use to try to bring her in, and
Jane and | got aboard the steamer putting
into the inlet, and come over afoot. I'm
glad didn't see the old boat agoin' down."
ut was good luck as drove you nigh
the steamer, Den," said Cap'n Job.
Luck or-God," said Ben, taking off
his old hat "Hillo! give us a kiss, you
young uns,' STOPPING to hide his wet
eyes.