The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1874-07-09
close recscd, out in a gray distance, ike

close recsed, out in gray distance, Ike
the flicker Of birds wing. - -
"Therc's father now" she cried.
At that moment there was sharp
cracking in the air. The yellow light
was gone. The sea rushed in rs II driv-
en- by terror.
dts come, men. It's come" cried
Capt. Job. :,
Conny had heard Of the wind-squall
which, fifty years ago, had strcwn the
shore with wrecks. She chung to an old
spar, in the sudden darkness and tho
storm Of spray aud ;sandthat drove over
her, cutting her hands and face.
ats wind -squall; but it can't hurt
mother-it cant hurt mother" she
cried.
When the darkness passed with tho
heavy cloud, she climbed upto the little
headland, aud 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 aud
brought down two or three women.
Nantv Hepburn. who was friend OF
Jane Van Dort's went up 10 COMFY.
"Come home with me, dear, she
said. "Don't look out yondcr," putting
her hand over the girls eyes. "lts
growing clearer, and the seas ugly to
| look at after storm weeds and wrecks
and dead things are washed ashore and
-"
COMFY quietly puiekNn her head.
al must see the Gull come in. Moth
cr's board"
Manly looked at the men, perplexed.
wiped her ewes once or twice, and then
put her hands on Conny's shoulders.
"There was a wind-squall like this
once before, COMFY" t
81 know"
And-and of all the ships within
two miles OF the bar, not one lived
through it. Not the biz ships, dear.
Arc YOU listcnin :"
COMFY after minute, drew away.
g! wish You would 90 to Dan, Marty,
he's crying yonder. II cant speak
to him now
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 a
while.
eCome away, COMFY" he sobbed.
"Thcy say the Gull has gone down, aud
they're aieard for you TO stay here"
at couldn't go down, God wouldn't
let it. I've been prayin'.' But her
| face WAS like death rs she sal! 1t.
The mist had lifted now. Under the
pale twilight lay the vast angry seattle
waves rising out OF fathonless darkness.
I COMFY caught Dan iicrcly by the arm,
and pointed outward. Her lips were
too parched 10 speak. sl-fv4-s
"rhe Gull, the Gull" shouted the
men. Only soa-brcd eyes could see the
far off boat which was dashed TO ami
fro like bubble. "rhere's no chance
thar fur good boat" said Capt. job ;
"butfor tina, old water log-take them
children away, Manly. Don't let EN- sec
their own mamMy go down" 8
{ The wind beat the masts of the Gull
level with the water, once again.
| COMFY clinched Dams hand in hers.
"Prav, Dan. Pray. and God cant let
them drown"
A great wave lifted the Gull tauntins-
ly into sight, and then-it was gone
Only black hull was washed above the
yellow foam for an instant, and sank
never to rise again.
/ Nantv ran TO the child rs she fell on
the sand, carried her TO her own house
but at the door, COMFY opened her eyes
and struggled to her feet.
al must 60 home. Mother told me to
take care of Dan and the baby till she
came back"
Manly sobbed out loud then. She
had been very fond of Jane.
"ChiId, didn't You see the Gull so
down ?" she said.
! "Yes," said COMFY "but | was a
prayin'. Mo,hcr'll come back." "
She ran along through the dark
to the cottage. Dan was crouched cry
ing. by tine fire. She knclt down be-
side him.
"God wouldn't take them when we
was prayin'," was all she could say.
/ And there came then great shouting
and cries without, and the door burst
/ open, and her mother was on inc noof
and had them both in her arms, sobb'ng
and laughing all at once and Ben was
talking to the ncighbors, with i queer
I quaver i'll his voice.
"Gull went down? Yes, of course she
must hey. She sprung leak an hour
atore the squalI struck her, and knew
it was ne use TO try to bring her in, ana
l,a. -tn =
ting into the the inlet, and come over
aioot. I'm glad didn't sec the old boat
agoin' down."
at was good luck as drove you nigh
the steamer, Bcn," said Capt. job.
"I.uck or-God," said Ben, taking Of
his old hat. "Hiilo, gvc us kiss you
young uns," stopping to hide his wet
eyes.
Tho Oucen M the Sandwich Island.