The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1876-01-21

sea, where she lay moaning like van
quished giant.
'.Cut away the mizzen-mast," | roared
through my speaking-trumpet.
Jackson, than whom q better sailoruever
trod plank, obeyed my order promptly
one stroke of his axe severed shroud
landyard of the mizzen-rigging and the
lower mas, swapping short off below the
top, fell into the boiling ocean toiaeward.
Still the vessel lay over on her side, and
the sea making a complete breach over her.
'sMainmast, now ~ shouted, and soon
tha, mast went close by the deck carrying
with it tire foretopmast-and,a alas Jack
son and ten brave fellows who had become
enueshed in the tangled coidage that
swept the deck.
The vessel righteG on her keel and the
remainder of the crew and myself used
every effort to save our hapless compan-
ions but without avail, and they sank to
rise no more.
l was now in momentary expectation of
the vessel laundering, for the helm was
useless; huge waves, mountain high, were
breaking over her, and the spars to leeward
were dashing like battering-rams against
her sides, threatening to stave Der in.
But all was not yet lost; there came lull,
followed 10y another whistling blast, then
lull again, and the rain ceased. This be-
tokened that the fury of the storm was
spent, that the centre had passed, and
that ere long all would he over.
At last the welcome dawn arrived, so,
bidding the second mate set at once about
clearing the Debris, l descended to the
cabin for the purpose of visiting Mrs. Cliff
ford, who l knew must need consolation
| found the courageous woman seated in
corner where she had wedged herself, calm
ly reading the form of prayer $50 he used
at sea- while her child lay peacefully
slumbering in her lap.
As entered she rose and took both my
hands
Captain Downes, you good, brave
man, toH me truly, is there any hope? |
can bear to hear the worst, though the
thought of my poor little Edith unDerves
me- she said, gently.
The weather is moderating, madam
we are in the hands of Providence, but
His mercy may be extended to us the
greatest danger is now past, SO bear up and
have every hope" | replied.
I was peering over chart in my cabin,
when the second mate called huriedly to
me to come on deck.
Breakers to leeward, sir ~ he cried, ex-
citetlly, as | emerged from the hatchway.
I. 4
and saw long line of foam stretching ont
on our Ice, while the roar of beating surges
fell distinctly on my ear. The sea was
still running high, though the wind had
died entirely away ; and / soon perceived
that the current was bearing us swiftly
towards land. Nearer still we drifted and
then | recognized our position. The most
dangerous rocks in the China Sea, a group
known as the Pratas, were to ieeward and
we were utterly unable to navigate our dis
abled vessel, or to ward off the fate that
seemed pending over us. The crew showed
inGomitable courage, exhibiting the great
est alacrity, and striving hard, by promptly
obcying my orders, to work the vessel off
shore out we saggcd steadily to lceward,
and | saw that all chance of saving tho
vessel was gone for ever.
ssGet the life boat ready, my lads; quick,
for You lives +! Don't forget provisions, Mr..
Cooper | said, as hurried below.
Mrs. Clifford met me at the foot of the
stairs, and read the new trouble in my
face.
1.Yoo must come in the boat. Give me
Edith Keep calm," exclaimed, plucking
a Quilt from bed, and wrapping it round
her, while | took the child in my arms.
81 will, I will But, oh, preserve my
child ~ she cried then she mounted with
firm step to the deck.
We were very near to the rocks now ter
ribly near-and 1 saw Mrs. Clifford's S cheek
blanch as her quick eye took in the danger
at a glance but placed her safely in the
boat with Edith. The crew took their
places orderly; Cooper and lowered them
to the water, the tackles were unlocked,
and the boat floated clear OF the vessels
side. Then leaped overheard, the second
mate followed, the crew picked us up, and
we were soon using our every erdeavor to
weather the shoal where on the Morning
Glory shortly struck and went utterly to
pieces.
The life boat had been terribly strained
by the waves which broke over, when on
the vessel deck, and the water gurgied in
at many yawning seam, so that haif the
crew were constantly employed in bailing
her out. The sea still running high, shook
her much, and l began to fear that she
would not float long, as we had rather
more than her complement in her; there
fore l consulted Cooper as to whether it
would not be better to pull to leewa,d Of
the Pratas, and endcavor to land upon the
island in the rear. He agreed with me
so We put that plan into execution, and be-
fore nightfall ran the boat between two