Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-14

duty devolving on me, so / will ABIDE py
the decisions of the men. Call them ana
ask them if this vessel can be kept above
water half day." said Gervalse.
Here. nv men," called out Mr.. Ora
ham. .come hither moment and give us
your opinion. How long can we keep
our heads above water by remaining upon
this vessel p' ;,
IA few hours, sir. perhaps half DAY,
reioined the men, and, as if satlshea Win
their answer, Mr.. Graham continued;
..Mr. Wilde, commence the raft at once.
Captain. please see that all our paS2aSe
and yaluables are brought on DECK WIN
sufficient provisions to last Us lof TWO
weeks" -
Six hours after large and stout raft
had been built, which was capable OF sus-
tanning three times the number on the
schooner, and upon it Geivaise bad Sc
curely bound the caboose, to serve as
apartments for the ladies, and otherwise
protected the centre of the raft in such a
way rs to keep the baggage ana pro-
visions secure.
All being in readiness, Mr.. and Mrs
Graham, with Corinne, got on board, ana
were followed by the captain, mate and
crew and. the bulwarks amidshlps having
been cut away, they waited the coming OF
wave TO wash them off the schoon'
err. which was rapidly sinking to n
watery grave.
Soon il came, huge foam-c capped noun
tain of water, and the raft was lifted on its
shoulders and borne off upon the ocean,
while the Inflated schooner was buried DN
the same large wave, never more to reap
pear.
Eight DAYS the huge raft dritted about
on the mighty deep, and no succor comlt g,
the larger part OF the crew arose IN mutt
nv, and, Selling the liie-boat which had
been brought along, took the greater por-
lion of the provisions, and deserted thelr
companions in distress, but their deserlon
was not bloodless one, for three OF Their
number fell dead beneath the unerrlng
aim of Gervase Wilde's pistol, Tor he
stoutly resisted them to the last.
Five more days passed, and then starva-
ton stared the shipwrecked crew III the
face, for the provisions and water lett
them by the deserters had all been con
sumed.
Then it was that the Captain, Hart Wood
ruff. and the remaining four men OF the
crew became troublesome, and seeing that
Geryaise alone could be trusted Mr.. Ora
ham, with his wife and daughter, placed
their only hope in him and his noble con
duct won their admiration and-Corlnne's
love.
Another day passed, and night settled
again upon the ocean, but fuii moon
rising made the sea silvery with its light.
Suddenly Hart Woodruff started up from
forward on the raft, and accompanied by
the tour seamen, came aft toward Gervalse
Wilde, who, seeing their hostile advance,
wheeled and said sternly:
Back back, | say all of you, or I'll
send bullet into your midst"
The men hesitated, and Hart Woodruff
exclaimed;
"Gervaise Wilde, you are the one
seek. You have stolen from me the love
OF that girl, and intend to Stay you; and
your vile flesh shall be our food until
succor shall reach US. We are starving,
and yet would enjoy along with your
body u love feast. for Corinne Graham is
mine, mine, mine -
A thrill of horror ran through those who
heard him, but the mates firm eyes never
quailed, and there was no tremor in his
voice as he replied:
Gould the sacrifice of myself save Miss
Graham and her parents, it would be free
" given but it cannot, and if You advance
upon me your life shall pay the forfeit.
You and ]. Captain Woodruff, | feel, can
not live together upon this raft, SO let
there not be unnecessary bloodshed. You
are armed; the moon is bright; sol
take your stand yonder on one side OF this
raft, while stand here. Let Mr.. Graham
give the word, aud then let the best man
win"
..Ha, ha, ha gladly accept" laughed
l. in hat Ia. Ia
hearers feel that his reason had lett him.
and in vain did Mr.. Graham, Miss Graham
and Corinne plead with Gelvaise not 10
expose his life thus, but he was deter
mined, saying:
at is the only course, sir. The men
are wrought up by hunger to "a pitch that
makes them ready for bloodshed, and rs
the Captain is armed, we would have no
rest for him so give the word, please
but you may be slain, Gervaise;" and
Corinne turned her loving gaze full upon
the young man, whose face bri ghteLed
with pleasure as he said:
Never fear; my aim is only too true.
Captain, are you ready? Nj. raham,
give the word, please"
The raft rolled lazily upon the ocean,
and the moon shone brightly down upon
the strange scene, with Mrs. Graham and
Corinne crouching down in the shadow OF
the caboose by which Mr.. Graham stood
while the four seamen, eagerly expectant,
were grouped together forward, watching
with staring eyes their Captain and his
mate, as they stood but twelve feet apart,
calmly awaiting the word to fire words
that must be the death-kneli OF one OF
them, perhaps both.
Are you both ready ?" suddenly asked
Mr.. Graham.
Yes" came the replies.
Fire and with the word the pistols
flashed, the report rang out clear. and
with a shrek hardly human. Hart Wood
ruff fell back into the ocean, which became
his grave.
MIR. Wilde, are you hurt ? exclaimed
Mr.. Graham, as he ran forward.
Not at all. Men, keep forward there
and if one of you comes aft | will shoot
him down as / would a dog -
Aye, aye, sir" answered the men,
IL.