The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1874-02-19
81 will trust you, Mr.. Wilde. Go

and yet between lam and the captain there
was a certain restraint. From the irst Of
the home trip Hart Woodruff had treated
his frst officer with an overbearing manner
noticeable TO all, and which the mate re-
ceived with cold and Indifferent polite
ness.
Corinrs Graham narrowly watched the
two officers, and her woman's eye soon
read the secret of the captains feelings to
ward his mate. 1t Was jealousy: for Hsr-
old Woodruff aad from toe first loved the
maiden, and seeing that she accepted the
polite and gentleman!g attentions Of Ger
saise Wilde with a feeling Of pleasure. be
determined &c rid himself Of a man be be-
ieTed his rival.
On sailed the noble vesse, until, when
nearing the Eaters Of the galf, terrible
storm burst upon her, and increasing to
wards right, threatened her with destruc
ton.
BraveiY did the crew stand a. THEN
posts, and twics daring that long night did
Gervaiss Wilde ascend the rigging. when
brave hearts hssitsted, securely furl some
sail tho wind had tern from iu fasten-
iBss.
Mr.. Graham, with hi. wife and Corinns,
| had ascended to she deck, and were group
| ed together an1iously watching the black
storm and raging ocean, while at the same
| time he could but admire the cool manner
OF Gervaise, added to bis daring manner
of springing at once to every post of dan
ger, and the. comparison drawn between
the captain and his mate rebounded to the
latter's credit.
AL that hum. skill and courage could
! do to save the schooner proved useless,
for she was di.mastsd, became a wreck,
and leaking in many places, 1t was found
| that she could not hold cut against the
storm, which though abating at day light,
was still raging.
There Is but one course, Mr.. Graham.
The schooner can remain only few hours
afoat, 40 will at once set about building
a raft which can hold al, Of u.s." sand
Gervai,e turning to Mr.. Graham.
"Wesre all in your hands, sir; but
what says the captain y
81 say" and Hart Woodruff stepped
forward, "the mate is mistaken; the
schooner will feat for many days. And
set would not expose Mrs. and Miss Ora
har, to risk; so l propose that you sir,
with your wife and daughter, accompanied
By myself aud four Of the crew, take the
life boat. In two days at far thest, we can
reach some Of the Caribbean Islands
while Mr. Wilde, with the remainder OF
the crew can remain with the vessel which
under jury mast, can be -un into the near
est port
"a good plan. perhaps. captain, but as
agree with Wilde regarding the inability
Of the schooner to keep afoat many hours
l think We had better trust to the raft"
A froHn passed over the captains brow
which was not unnoticed, at Mr. Graham
words, but he added.
"The schooner will not sink, sir; her
pumps will keep it up"
Captain do not wish to shrink from
any duty devoved on me, so | will abide
by the decision of the men. Call them
and ask them if this vessel can be KEEP,
ABOVE water for half day. SAID Gervise.
"Here, my men" called out Mr.. Ora.
your opinion. How long can we keep our
heads above water, by remaining on this
yessel?''
"A few hours, sir, perhaps hal n day
reIoined the men, and as if satisfied with
their answer, Mr.. Graham said.
"Mr Wilde, commence tho raft at once
and captain, please see thnt our baggage
and all >sluables are brought on dect, with
sufficient provisions to last us SIX weeks.
Six hours afterward large and stout
raft had been built which was capable OF
Sustaining thaee times the number on the
schooner, and upon it Gervaise had secure
'Iy bound the caboose, TO serve as
apartments for the ladies, and otherwise
protected the centre Of the raft in such q
way as to keep the baggage and provision.
secure.
All being in readiness, Mr.. and Mrs
Graham, with Corrinns, go. on board, and
were followed by the captain, mate and
crew, and the bulwarks amidships having
been cut away, they waited the coming Of
a wave to wash them off the schooner
which was rapidly sinking 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 Inflated schooner was
buried by the same large waae, never more
to appear.
Eight days the huge raft drifted abou,
on the mighty deep, and o .uccor coming,
the larger part OF the crew arose in mu,iny,
and, Selling the life-boat which had been
brought along, took the greater portion OF
of the provisions and deserted their COM
panion, in distress; but their desertion
was not bloodless one, for three Of their
number fell dead beneath the unerrins aim
of Geryaise Wildes pistol, for he stoutly
resisted them to the last.
Five more days passed, and starvation
started the ship~recked crex in the face,
for the provisions and water left them by
the deserters had all been consumed.
Then it was that the captain, Hart W ood-
ruff, and the remaining four men Of the
crew became troublesome, and seeing that
| Gervaise alone could be trusted, MIR. Ora
ham, with his wife and daughter, placed
their OILY hope in him. and his noble con-
duct wen their admiration and Corinne's
| love.
Another day passed, and night settled
upon the ocean,: but full moon rising
made the sea silvery with it's light.
Suddenly Hart Woodruff started up from
forward en- the raft, and, accompanied by
"a