Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-04-06
Call the officer vou 2',

''Cail the offlcer will you?"
II am perfectly accustomed to steering
and saw the mans trouble. He was quit,
blinded, SIR
The captain grimly turned the wheel and
made no reply. The second officer. follow
ed by sailor. appeared.
Take the wheel. Mr.. Hodgeton, get a
pea-Jacket for this lady and bring her to
the bridge"
She quickly guessed what 1t meant, and
put on The rough coat with undisguise,l
pleasure. Then the officer meekly led the
way to to the bridge.
From this lofty look -out she could see
the whole ship, and look far around on the
Wild rage of waters. The captain beckon-
Ell Tor her TO come behind the canvas screen
to escape the scud1ing clouds of spray
thrown out by the waves as they struck the
vessel.
we have broken our shaft. Do you
think you can take us back to New York;"
es, sir, she replied, simply.
ou are perfectly familiar with this
coastl'
Yes, sir. was born on Leng Island
and I've sailed in New York bay these many
years. Which way is she heading now ~
Zone east Of southeast. I'm going to
run on this tack till midnight, aud then
turn back and make for the Hook BY day
light"
so you might. sir but this wind won't
hold. The probabilities for the Middle
States say clear winds To the west
The captain leaned over the rail and
called to petty officer below:
CLARK. fluid to-day's paper, il you can.
Some passenger may have one"
The paper was quickly found. and her
4 ~ nng r 3 fh..u II
ed correct.
My plan would be TO run before this till
the wind shifts, and then come up TO the
Jersey coast when it
Just here the vessel gave n fearful urch
into the sea, and with deatening crash
the gait on the foresai snapped short of
and tell TO the deck. 4 wave broke at the
bow and hew IN blindiny clouds of spray
hGh on the smokestaCh. The lookout
ahead clung 10 the mast for lis life. They
put their heads below the canvas screen
that reached to their chins Tor an instant
TO AVOID the water. When the woman
looked up again. she calmly continued her
sentence:
Changes. by the way 1t blows think
1t VIII be out by mdnIght
The torn sail vas taken in by steam pow
cr ~ the midst Of the fury and uprolr of
the storm; hut 1t was hardly secured be-
fore III" J.o blew away with q loud report
There were loud demands and shrill piping,
below, and then the captain gave orders to
let her fall of before the wind. aud. under
easier sail and -teadirr Keel the great ship
ran before the gale down to the Jersey
coN>i
Then The night fell down on the sea The
passengers crept out TO see how il Jared
with the ship. They whispered the strange
news through the saloons and cabins
There was 4 woman at the helm. and they
were making foT New York under her pi-
lotagc.
All the long long night she sat. wrappc 4
IN rubber cloak. on that swaying bridge
They llshed her to the railing. aud gave
her high seat where she could look out
upon the night and the sea Toward,
morning the sea went down ana the wind
abatcd- Al her suggestion they ,r.el the
lead about one o'clock, and the monnton-
Gus cry OF the sailor a he read OF iha IA h.
onS came up 10 her through the dlrku,>,.
Twice she ordered the course changed 10
the east Of south. and the lead .ank into
deeper water. At three the wind CHANGED
aud came out due west
tn" ship was put about. and under A
good spread OF canvas ran little west Of
north. The rain changed to mist and
finally stopped. Then II grew pale and
gray in the east. heavy fog settled on the
water, and the wind fell to mere fittul
breeze.
The passengers began to stir about and
many came out and gazcd up curiously al
the heavily cioaked figure peering over the
top Of the canvas screen. The deep boom
OF the whistle broke in measured notes on
the air, and the monOtonous swaSh Of the
waves kept up dreary undertonc
Two or three hours passed and nothing
happened, They were drifting idly on the
sea-tbey knew not where. The captain
began TO be anxious, and the under officers
murmured at the woman why had they
taken this mere girl-thls stranger into
confidence. They were distrustiul and full
OF doubt. The woman herself went down
To the map-room and eagerly studied the
nights log-book. The Old captain seemed
TO >tlll have faith 10 her ability. and suffer
ed her 10 govern the ship. She pointed to
the map and placing her finger on certain
spot said
We are just there, and when it clears
you will see the Hook Just abeam. The
reason the lead runs deeper is because we
are drifting on the ebbs-"
''Hark! There's 4 whistle
A idiht inurmur, as from an instrument
soundllg the cord OF a, came IN al the
open door They stepped out on the deck
4 strange hush had fallen on the ship. Ev-
cry ear seemed strained to catch the so md
that hoated over the water. Again it came
-ia1nt. lar away. and musical.
Its the Jane-my husbands boat. :"
cried the wife.
With a sort o. frantic rush she ran up
hal LODI Inv -. >
whist le rope she gave three short notes.
followed by one long one. Hardly had the
booming roar died away when the invisible
steamer replied note for note.
perfect shout Of applause broke from
the thousand men gathered on the deck.
and for moment there was scene OF Joy
iul confusion on the ship. Everybody
came out, and a buzz of animated conyer-
satlon, mingled with shouts and laughter,
hllcd the air. The pent-up anxiety OF the
night and storm gave way to volubie pleas
ure and satisfaction.
Another whistle far of to the no,th.
Tnea another to the southwest The sea
was full OF boats. All, the fog lifts! In
sudden sweep it lifts and drifts away In
pearly masses before the sun
All. the Hook, The hills OF Neversink in
blue outline In the far horizon. A tow
boat. another another. Six OF them spread
in gigantic circle over the sea. Brave
watchman waiting to welcome The ships.
with iron arms and fl ~ hearts. \ dis
masted bark lay far to the south Two
schooners, with every sail set, drifred idly
to the east. Four of the tugs started in
frantic haste for the greater prize. one ran
for the bark, and the sixth contented him
self with the schooners. Two came TO the
steamers bow toRether-the Jane and the
Ramapo.
"A hundred dollarsw shouted one large
captain.
Seventy -fye!" screamed his rival.
Give you seventy-five apieee.v said the
big captain from his bridge
Gan right! Give us your lines.n
wonan's dress fiuttered among the
chains at the bows. The Jane suddenly
seemed to have lost her senses. She re-
fused the towIine, and it tell with splash
into the water D,
MY husband has come must go. cap
tain ...
The old fellow grasp-d her hand In both
of his and nearly crushed her wedding
ring.
..Call at the office, ma'am Call at the
Company's Office. shall report you and