The Morning herald., 1876-12-05
CORD AND CREESE.
THE SIGNAL OF FIRE.
CHAPTER VIII.

Brandon started up and gazed with wild
astonished eyes around. 1t was day. The
sun was two or three hours above the ho-
rizon. He was surrounded by half dozen
seamen, who were regarding him with
wondering but kindly faces. The one who
spoke appeared to be their leader. He
held spy.glass in his hand. He was
sturdy, thick-set man of about fifty, whose
grizzled hair, weather-beaten face, groggy
nose, and whiskers, coming all around un-
der his chin, gave him the air Of old Ben
bow as he appears on the stage-"a reg lar
old salt" "sea-dog," or whatever other
name the popular taste loves to apply to
the British tar.
lizard luck here, mess.mate," said this
man, with smile. "But you're all right
now. Come! Cheer up! Won't you take a
drink%' And lie held outa brandy-fask.
Brandon rose mechanically in a kind Of
maze, not yet understanding his good
fortune, not yet knowing whether he was
alive or dead. He took the flask and
raised it to his lips. The inspirlting
draught gave him new life. He looked
earnestly at the Captain as he handed it
back, and then seized both his hands.
"God Almighty bless you for this, noble
friend, whoever you are! But how and
when did you get here? Who are you?
Did you not see my signal on the rock yes
terday-w
Zone question at time, mess.mate,"
said the other, laughinly. 'pm Captain
Corbet, of the ship Falcon, bound from
Sydney to London, and these are some OF
my men We saw this light last night
about midnight, right on our weather-bow
and came up to see what it was. Wefound
shoal water, and kept off till morning.
There's the Falcon, Sir"
The Captain waved his hand proudly to
where large, handsome ship lay, about
seven miles away to the south.
'On your bow? Did you see the fire
ahead of you?" asked Brandon, who now
began to comprehend the situation.
Eyes"
"Then you didn't pass me toward the
north yesterday"
"No; never ;7as near this place before
this morning"
1T must have been some other ship,
then" said Brandon, musingly.
"But how did you get here, and how
long have you been here"
Brandon had long since decided on the
part he was to play. His story was all
ready:
my name is EdYard Wheeler, came
out supercargo in the brig Argo, with a
cargo of hogsheads slaves and box shocks
from London to Manila. On the 10th of
September last we encountered tremen-
dous storm and struck on this sand-bank.
1t is not down on any Of the charts. The
vessel stuck hard and fast, and the sea made
clean breach over us. The captain and
crew put out the boat, and tried to get
away, but were swamped and drowned. ]
stai,l by the wreck till morning. The ves-
sci stood the storm we'll, for she had solid
cargo, was strongly built, and the sand
formed rapidly all about her. The storm
lasted for several days, and by the end Of
that time shoal bad formed. Several
storms have occurred since, and have heaped
The sand all over her. l have lived here
ever since ir great misery. Yesterday a
weasel passed, and put up signal on the
rock over there, which she did not notice.
In despair l set fire to the brig, which was
loaded with wood and burned easily. |
watched till morning, and then fell asleep.
You found me so. That's all 1 have to
say"
On hearing this story nothing exceeded
the kindness and sympathy of these hon
est-hearted seamen. The Captain insisted
on his taking another drink, apologized for
having to carry him back to England, and
finally hurried him off to the boat. Be
fore two hours Brandon stood on the deck
of the Falcon. -s