Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-03-06
A SlrOKe OF Fortune.

finest estate in Santos?
"Well, come out on the piazza. We
have fine view Of the bay there, and
/ love to listen TO the roar OF the SURF.
1t reminds me OF old times, you know.
Light fresh cigar. You have moth
ing like them in the States, l can as
sure you Of that: and now for my
yarn.
Twenty years ago, I was chief
mate on board OF a Down East brig
engaged In the South American trade.
The captain was good enough at
heart, but he did love gold dollar so
much, that the passion OF avarice at
times warped the better and prevail
ing instincts Of his heart.
Il was young, careless, and free,
without a soul living could claim as
kin, and as happy in my lone state as
you can well imagine. had but lit
tie responsibility on my shoulders.
the skipper taking entire control, even
10 details.
1--WE were 10 the southwark OF the
line, outward bound, and upon the
eventful night in question. which was
truly an era in my life, had the first
watch. The wind was light, and the
ocean as calm as though asleep.
eve had all our light kites set to
WOO the gentle breeze, running
through the water not over three
knots an hour. Absorbed in my own
thoughts and reflections, 1 was lean
inc idly over the taffrail watching the
bubbles and phosphorescent light
playing about the restless rudder,
when touch on my arm from the
man at the wheel, brought me to my
self.
What do you call that, sir?' he In
quired, pointing over the quarter.
Il gazed in the direction pointed
out by the man, and, TO my intense
surprise. saw a bright light, not un-
like ball Of fire. which threw lurid
tremulous light. across the dark
waters.
at can't be the moon, sir?" said
said the seaman with an inquiring
look
1.-The moon rising in a quarter
bearing south-south west? No, that
is some craft on fire, as sure as my
name is John Watkins. and I'll rouse
out the captain at once
In another instant l was rapping
In no gentle manner at the Shippers
stateroom, who turned out in a
hurry.
'What-what is the matter?" he
stammercd, rubbing his eyes - is
there sQuall coming|
Ono. sir; it's as pretty q night as
I ever saw. But, Captain Thompson.
there is vessel on fire TO leeward o!
Us, and 1 will. il YOU say 50, run down
to her assistance
I'll be on deck in a moment.
Don't be in a hurry-don't like 10 run
the vessel of her course -prolongs
her voyage. and leaving the sleepy
skipper grumbling TO himself, l re-
gained the deck.
In a few moments the old fellow
was by my side.
1T will cost money to take all
hands of yon craft and feed them till
We make port
True sir; but is human life 10 be
reckoned or valued by money? In all
probability there are poor fellows
there in danger Of their lives, who, II
We leave them 10 their fate, would
place us on footing with pirates, ,
and turning abruptly, ! walked aft,
having expressed my indignation In
voice tremulOuS with anger.
"'Bless my soul. Mr. Watkins, 1
would not leave any one 10 perish. /
was only calculating the chances in a
commercial point Of view. You can
hoist the long boat out if you like,
and take fo6r Of the boys for a crew
10 pull You TO her. She viii burn
down TO the waters edge il You wait
for us 10 get there. Ii IS growing calm
all the time. and TO tell the truth, Mr..
Watkins. / would advise YOU 20 bear
a hand and get back as soon as posi-
BILE. for l don't like the looks OF the
weather. The air j. hot and oppres-
slye like.
IN ten minutes had the long boat
over the side, and q stout weatherly
craft she was, too. a bag Of biscuits.
with a beaker 81 water, was slowed
away in the stern sheets, and bidding
the lads 10 give way with a will, we
showed of from the sides OF the old
brig. / saw the tall, bent form OF
Captain Thompson peering down up
on me for moment. but the next in
slant the boat rose on the bosom OF
swell, and that was the last 1 ever
saw Of my old skipper.
The brig quickly faded from sight,
hid by a thin mist, or haze, which
had suddenly arisen, and. in fact, /
was conscious Of a strange change in
the appearance OF the weather. The
stars had entirely disappeared from
the armament. hid behind the gau7y
vel which had So mysteriously arisen,
aud low down on the horizon l noted a
dark bank Of clouds. The heat was
intense, the stout seamen wiping tho
perspiratiOn from their streaming
brows as they toiled at their oars.
NOta breath % air disturbed the CLASSY
wave - all nature appeared TO be
hushed into terrible calm.
II must confess felt rather appre-
hensiye as Iglanced about the hori-
zon and looked back in the direction
where 1 knew the old brig must be,
rolling and pitching idly on the long
swell, which every moment was in
creasing. But my fears and apprehen-
sions were soon chased from my
head by matters Of more exciting in