Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-06-24

"A good plan, perhaps, captain, bu,
as j agree with Wilde regarding the In
ability of the schooner to keep aaoat
many hours, think we had better trust
to the raft
A frown passed over the captain q
brow which was not unnoticed, at Mr..
Graham's words, but he added, the
schooner will not sink, sir; her pumps
will keep her up
Captain, do not wish to shrink
from any duty devolving on me, so
will abide by the decision of the men.
Call .heusand ash tEdm if thfs yell
can be kept above water for half day,
said Gervaise.
Here, my men, called out Mr.. Gra-
ham, come hithef a moment. and give
US your opinion. How long can we keep
our heads above water by remaining on
this vessel?'
"A few hours, sir, perhaps half a
day rejo;ued the men, and, as if sat-
isfed with their answer, Mr.. Graham
said:
Mr.. Wilde, commence the raft AZ
once; and captain, please see that our
baggage and all valuables are brought
on deck, with sufficient provisions to
last US two weeks
Six hours after large and stout raft
had been built, which was capable of
sustaining three times the number on
the schooner, and upon it Gervaise had
securely bound the caboose, to serve as
apartments for the ladies, and other
wise protected the centre Of the raft in
such way as to keep the baggage and
provisions secure.
All being N readiness, Mr.. and Mrs
Graham, with Corinne, got on board,
and were followed ty the captain, mate
and crew, and tue bulwarks amidships
having been cut wav, they awaited the
coming of a wave to wash them off the
schooner, which was rapidly sinking to
IA 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 TIE same large
wave, never more to reappear.
Eight days the huge raft drifted about
on the mighty deep, and no succor com
ing. the larger part of the crew arose in
mutiny, and, seizins the life-boat which
had been brought along, took the great
cr portion of the provisions and desert
ed their companions in distress; but
their deSertion was not 4 bloodiess one,
for three of their number fell dead be-
meath the unerring aim of Grrvaise
WilGc's pistol, for he stoutly resisted
them to the last.
Five more days passed, and then star
vation stared the shipwrecked crew in
the face, for the provisions and water
left them by the descrters had ali been
consumed
Then it was that the CAPTAIN, Hart
Woodruff. and the remaining four men
of the crew became troublesome, and
that Gcrvaise alone could be trusted,
Mr. Graham, with his wife and daugh-
ter, placed their only hope in bim; and
lis noble conduct won their admiration
and Corinnc's love.
Another day passed, and night set
tied nEHin upon the ocean, but a full
noon rising made the sea silvery with
its light
Suddenly Hart Woodruff started up
from the forward end of the raft and ac-
companied hv four seamen. came aft to-
ward Gervaise Wild, who, seeing their
hostile advance, wheeled and said stern
":
Back back, say all of you, or
I'll send bullet into your midst"
The men hesitatcd, and Hart Wood
ruff exclaimed:
'GervaiSe Wilde. Won are the one
seek. You have stolen from ME the
love of that girl, and l intend TO slay
Won: aud vour vile flesh shall be our
food until succOr shall reach us. We
are starving, and vet l would enjoy
along with Your body. love feast, for
Corinnc Graham is mine. mine, mine
4 thrill Of horror ran through those
who heard him, but themate's firm ewes
never quailed, and there was no tremor
il his voice rs he replied:
Gould the sacrifice OF myself save
Miss Graham and her parents. it would
be given; but it cannot. and if you ad-
vance upon me, your life shall pay The
forfeit. You and |, Captain Woodruff.
l fear cannot live together upon this
raft. So let there he TO unnecessary
bloodshed. You are armed; the rloon
is bright; so take YOUR stand Wonder on
one side Of the raft, while | stand here.
Let Mr.. Graham give the word, and let
the lest man win
'Ha. hl. ha gladly I accept. laughed
Hart Woodruff, in tone that made his
hearers feel that his reason lad left
him. and IN vain did Mr.. Graham, Mrs.
Graham and Corinne plead with Ger
vaise not 20 expose his life thus, but he
was determined, saving:
1t is the only course. sir. The men
are wrought up hv hunger 10 pitch
that makes them ready for bloodshed.
aud as the captain IS armed we would
have 10 rest for him; SO give the word
please
But YOU may he slain. Gervaise.
and Corinue turned her loving gaze full
upon the Young man, whose face bright.
eued as be said: Never fear; nv
aim is only too true. Captain. are vou
ready: Mr.. Graham, give the word
please
The raft rolled lazilv upon the ocean
and the moon shone brightly down upor
the strange scene. Mrs. Graham ant
Corinre crouchiny down in the window
Of the cabcose by which Mr.. Graham
stood; while tie four seamen, earserl,