Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-03-06
cases, and articles Of clothing, but no
trace Of q human being could be


seen. :,
diving down into the main cabin,
which was half filed with black,
twisting smoke, / took hasty glance
about. The rich hangings, appoint
ments, and ornamentation surprised
me. showing that the unfortunate
ship had been designed to carry pas
sengers. The sharp, shooting CLEANS
of writhing flames from aloft pene-
trated through the broad skylight,
tinging every object with a ruddy
glare.
From state-room to state-room /
hurried, but found them all empty
until 1 came to the after one. There
/ experienced some difficulty in open
ing the door, the smoke every mo-
ment becoming more dense and re-
spiration more difficult. EXerting my
strength, the wood work gave way,
revealing a confused mass Of white
drapery lying on the state-room floor.
The very sight made my heart beat
quick with apprehension, and stoop-
ing. soon ascertained that 1t was
woman.
Placing my hand over her heart, l
felt it throb, and without further delay
l rushed on deck with her in my
arms. Through the companion-way
I staggered, with a strange dizziness
in my head, gasping for breath, but
still retaining my grasp on her L had
saved. The fresh air revived me: the
pain left my head, so that | was en-
abled to pay proper attention to the
woman who lay helpless in my
arms.
"Then, for the first time, 1 looked at
the face OF my burden, and by the bright
light Of the wreck discovered she was
both young and handsome. AT that
moment the mainmast went crashing
over the side, sinking with hiss in the
black water. A shower Of cinders and
sparks, a column Of roaring flames,
shot on high, followed by the excited
shouts OF the men, who had leaped,
panic-stricken, into the boat urging
me to follow.
"Clasping the lady with my left
arm, used my right in gliding down
the ships side. The mems oars were
poised, 1 gave the word, and the next
instant We were clear Of the vessel,
which was now wrapt in flames from
stem 10 stern.
"Dashing some water into the la
dy's face, began to chafe her hands.
The treatment though rough had the
desired effect. She opened her eyes,
closed them again as il the awaken
was painful, but in few moments was
fully herself. Ina few words 1 told
her how she had been saved, and as
sured her that in short time she
would be in safety on board the
brig.
I'm return she told me that her
father was the Senior Jose Gonzales,
OF Santos, the wealthiest planter in
the country. She had been on visit
TO Spain, where her father had large
numbers OF relations. and had taken
passage for home in the Spanish
ship.
THE Inflated vessel, by some means
20 her unknown, had caught fire dur
ing the night. a panic ensucd, and.
overcome by terror, she tainted away.
Probably in the excitement and alarm
which followed, her absence was
overlooked, and when the boats
showed of from the ship, the Scnorita
Maria Gonzales was left unconscious
in her state-room 10 perish.
"Glancing around the horizon, I
could see no sign Of the brig. Not
the fash Of light betrayed the posi-
ton OF the vessel. But / had Il
compass with me, and noted the
course had steered while pulling for
the burning wreck. II WAS not the
fact Of the brig being invisible that
caused me uneasiness, but the start
ling knowledge that great conyul-
sion OF the elements was about /,
burst upon Us.
The dark bank | had at first
noticed low down on the horizon mad
risen rapidly until the entire heavens
were obscured, the atmosphere had
grown dense, and the darkness was
simply intense, relieved only by the
new dismantled hulk which occasion.
ally threw out CLEAN OF light.
"A strange. indeilnable, rushing
sound perya led the air. slight ripple
ruillsd the stagnant waters, Il cold
breath Of air famed my cheek, while
under TIE black, frowning clouds
| saw white line rapidly rushing
upon US.
Louder and louder grew the
sounds; the men gazed at one an
other aghast With wave Of my
hand 1 motioned the seamen 10 pull
the boat round so as TO bear before
il, and the next instant the hrr-
ricane burst upon us in al lis fury.
The shrek ofthc tempest drowned
my voice. The oars were dashed from
the sailors hands, while they in ter
ror threw themselves down in the bot
tom Of the boat.
IN an agony OF terror Maria chung
to me, while l, with all my strength
and skill, managed TO keep the boat
dead before the gale.
"On rushed the frail structure
through the murky darkness, enve-
Hoped in q whirl Of foam, which half
blinded me as the salt spray filled my
eyes. The water was torn up by the
barrels full, and hurled with cut
ting force and violence through the
air.
'Drenched 10 the skin, with the
delicate girl crouching by my side,
wrapped up in all the spare coats 1
could muster, kept watch during
the long hours Of that eyentful night.