Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1876-02-11

but dread that man-cannot divest
my mind of the thought that he means
us harm I laughed. and tried to
Danish so absurd an idea. And GER
tainly it seemed I had right to do
50, save by casual interchange of a
few words. Kiel never troubled us,
and we were making a capital jour.
ney, when, just as we were twenty de-
grees from the line, we were struck
by hurricane which the captain de-
clared was almost a cyclonic in vio-
lerce.
The vessel could not weather it.
The masts crashed overheard, taking
several of the crew with them, and
before the wreck could be cut adrift,
portion Of the broken spars, dashing
against the ship had crushed leak
below the water line, and the cry was
given, we are sinking! Lower the
boats-the pumps are useless ~
The Captain was marvelously firm
and cool, and by his example made us
all the same
The boats were rapidly lowered and
filed, while, thank heaven, the storm
seemed to abate. The women went
first Of course, and all was proceeding
we'll, when just as the last boat was
being filled, I remembered that in my
hurry | had left my mothers minia-
ture in my chest There was plenty
Of time to fetch it, and in a second |
was down in the cabin, hinging the
lid open, my hand was already on the
likeness, when | heard step on the
stairs, | turned and by the dim light
yet swinging from the roof, perceived
Jacob Kiel.
Good heavens the diabolical e1.
preston on his face, the fendish NAL
ice in his dark, snake like eyes, reveal
ed his intention in a minute. He had
come to do me some deadly harm. -
Loapine mp, l eoiaod my revolver, to
be on my guard but an attack was
not his purpose. Before could pre-
vent him, he quickly closed the cabin
door, and locked it on the outside.
Like flash of lightning all the
horrors of my position instantly flash
ed before me. | was a prisoner in the
sinking skip, Uttering a loud shout
OF fury, | sprlng forward the cry
was echoed by a laugh from Jacob
Kiel. I heard him say, "Who will
marry May Broastone, now?' and
then his feet went rapidly up the
stairs.
called aloud for help; the uproar
Of the storm drowned my voice. |
paused. Just then the wind lulled,
and l heard an order to push off; the
speaker was Jacob Keil. again
shouted in my agony ; but my voice
and the wind rDse together-l was not
heard, | continued to shout like a
madman, though knew all hope was
gone-that I was alone like trapped
rat, in a sinking ship.
Furiously | beat at the door, all the
while painfully conscious that rescue
was impossible AMI death certain, fol-
F., it was night, and as no doubt the
storm would separate the boats, my
absence would not be discovered unit,
the vessel had founderel.
Could I expect aught else, when in
the occasional lull of the hurricane
heard the rush of the deadly water:
in the hold, and felt the ship lurcf
more heavily each moment as she
plunged into the sea? Suddenly she
gave terrific keel over, and wave
came rattling down the companion
ladder like thunder, rushed under the
door and inundated the cabin.
I shrieked in agony believing that
all was over-that | was to die thus
not even with the chance Of battling
for life.
I felt that | could meet death calm.
| iy if I were on deck, with the heavens
above me but my very hair stirred al
the horrible thought Of being buried
in the sea as it were in q box. Was
there really no way of escape?
looked wildly around and gave cry
Of Joy, then leaped forward, careless
now that the water mounted higher
and higher.
Fool Idiot" | exclaimed. "Why
did you not think of it before. lot
! !