The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1874-02-25

only lew nOuTb dHOhL, so VIII NJ
once set about building a raft which
can hold all of us" said Gervaise
turning TO Mr.. Graham. ianoJ ga ea n
"We are all in your hands, sir; but
what says the captain 7. ~ +.
II say" and Hart Woodruff STEP
ped forward, "the mate is mistaken,
and the schooner will Aoai many
days. And yet l would expose
Mrs. and Miss Graham to r SO I.
propose, that you, sir, with your wife
and daughter, accompanied by myself
and four of the crew, take the life
boat. In two days, at least, we can
reach some Of the Caribbean Islands.
While Mr.. Wilde, with the remainder
of the crew, can remain with the ves-
sci, which, under jury masts, can be
run into the nearest port. n'
"a good plan, perhaps, captain, but
as agree with Wilde regarding the
ability of the schooner to keep afloat
many hours, / think we had all better
trust to the raft" " D '.. 'i, ','o'' ~
A frown passed over the captains
brow, which was not unnoticed, at Mr..
Graham's words, but he added:
"The schooner will not sink, sir |; the
pumps will keep her up" -
captain, do not wish to shrink
from any duty devolVed on me, so l
will abide by the decision of the men.
Call them and ask them if the schoon-
er can be kept above water for half
day." said Gervaise.
"Here, my men," called out Mr..
Graham, "come hither a moment and
give us your opinion. How long can
we keep our heads above water by re-
| naming on this vessel 2" g.
"a few hours, sir, perhaps half
day." rejoined the man, and as if sat
isfied with their answer, Mr., Graham
said: ....,,ss .-,l..f'c, IN ut
"Mr. Wilde, commence the raft at
once; and captain, please see that our
baggage and all valuables are brought
on deck, with sufficient provisions to
last us two weeks" .e'@i ,'sio a'of
Six hours aftsr large and stout
| raft was built which was capable of
sustaining three times the. number OH
the schooner, and upon it Gervaise
had securely bound the caboose, to
serve as apartments for the ladies. and
otherwise protect the centre of the
raft in such a way as to keep the bag
gage and provisions secure. Fo gI %
ALI being in readiness, Mr.. and
Mrs. Graham, with CoIinne, got on
board, and were followed by the cap
tain, mate and crew, and the bulwarks
amidships having been cut away, they
waited the coming of wave to wash
them off the schooner, which was sink
ing rapidly to a watery grave.
Soon it came-a huge, foam capped
mountain of water, and the raft was
lifted on its shoulders and borne off
upon the ocean, while the ill.fated
schooner was buried by the same
large wave, never more to reappear.
Eight days the huge raft drifted
abont on the mighty deep, and no sue
cor coming, the larger part of the
crew arose in mutiny, and, seizing the
life-boat which had been brought
along, took the greater part of the
provisions and deserted their com
panions in distress; but their deser-
ton was not a bloodless one, for three
Of their number fell dead befole the
unerring aim Of Gervaise Wilde's pis.
tol, for he stoutly resisted them 70 the
last.
| Five more days passed, and then
starvation stared the shipwreoked
crew in the face, for the provisions
and water left them by the deserters
had all been consumed.
Then it was that the captain, Hart
Woodruff, and the remaining four men
of the crew became troublesome, and
seeing that Gervaise alone could be
trusted, Mr.. Graham, with his wife
aud daughter placed their only hope
in him and his noble conduct won
their admiration and Corinne's love.
Another day passed, and night set.
tied again upon the ocean but q full
moon arising made the sea silvery
with its light,T FrT 30 tEnFs p 6.
Suddenly Hart Woodruff started
mp from forward on the raft, and ac-
companied by four seamen, came aft
forward Gervaise Wilde, who, seeing
their hostile advance, wheeled and
said sternly:- H.t. .,
"Back back, | say all of you or
I'll send bullet into your midst"
The men hesitated, aud Hart Wood.
ruff exclaimed:
"Geryaise Wilde, you are the one
| seek You have stolen from me the
love OF that girl, andI intend to slay
and your vile flesh shall be our food
until succor shall reach US. We are
starving, and yet would enjoy a love
feast along with your body, ii)g Cayinne