The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-03-14
THE BURNING SHIP.

Jonn PRESTON paced the quarterback
scanning the horizon intentIy, while his
sun-burned, intelligent countenance
was clouded by shades Of anxiety and
doubt.
He was a young man, but lately pro
NOTED to the command of the Amazon
and in consequence was more than anX.
ious to make quick passage to Shang.
hal, that he might satisfy the expecta.
tions Of his owners.
But the ship was hopelessly becalmed
the barometer rapidly falling, and the
mate, who had long been in the China
trade, gave it as his opinion that before
midnight the snip would be scudding
under bare poles.
"But she will bear it, Captain Pres.
ton," grOwled the old sea dog, as he
glanced along the horizon. ga finer
ship never left the stocks, and l am
anxious to see how she Will behave in a
lively breeze, such as are gotten up here
al short notice."
81 am afraid you will have your wish,
Mr.. Marlin," responded Preston, as he
turned away to glance into The binna-
Gle.
A dark bank of clouds which had set.
tied along the southern horizon ap-
peared to nave started into sudden ac-
tivity. Dark, ragged masses shot forth
from the main body, stretching upward
toward the zenith, Writhing and twist
ing in fearful contortions as the gloomy
canopy rapidly enveloped the entire
heavens.
Gradually the stars disappeared one
after another; stifled oppressive heayi-
ness was in the air; strange noises
struck the ear, like the whisperings Of
evil spirits, and, like the work of magic,
heavy swell set in. causing the ship to
pitch and roll, as helpless as log on
the inky sea. The canvas cleaned
CHASTITY white against the sombre back
ground, relieved at intervals by the
sharp gleam of lightning, followed by
the low, ominous rumble oil thunder,
All hands were now called to reduce
sail, and in short time naught but Uhe
tail, tapering spars OF the snip was ex-
posed alolt TO the fury of the coming
gale.
A whizzing, rushing sound echoed in
the ears Of The hardy seamen as in
stinctiyely they clung to the bulwarks
or rail, waiting for the dread battle to
commence.
Suddenly the clouds along the horizon
rolled up, displaying well-defned line
of white, rushing foam. The ship trem.
bled like frightened steed as the first
icy breath OF the tempest surged through
her taut rigging, ana PrestOn's word OF
warning was lost in the roaring of the
waters which struck the ship well aft.
Like reed the ship careened before
the reslstless torrent, and darted for
ward with the speed Of thunderDolt,
Ihe thick, driving spray swept like snow
rom The waves, completely enYeloping
Jhe ship in thick, dense mist.
The captain had sprang tn the wheel
% assist the seaman stationed there.
While the remainder OF the ships COM
)any awaited in breathless silence Eli
he first frenzy Of the hurricane should
~ spent.
Tue mate, enVeloped in his hard |
weather. rig, was the only man on board |
Who really enjoyed the spectacle. All |
through the dreary hours of tnat long
light he remained on deck, despite the
'harp, vivid lightning, the deep, rolling
hunder, and the shrill voice of Inc gale.
0leiy to satisfy himself that The ANA
on was all that she should be.
Before daylight the hurricane. short.
lved but terrible in its anger, began TO
UPSIDE, ana as the first rosy coIors OF
unrlse began TO gild the east, the ANA
on was enabled to make sail and resume
reased SO that before the sun again
disappeared the ship was under full sail,
reading for the Formosa channel, the
all, rugged outlines of the island hay-
ny been sighted early in the day, As
he Amazon closed i'll with the land. tie
now-whlte sails OF snip were seen
enVeloDed in the deep haze
The island, but before the
tranger could be definitely made ont
he gloom Of night had shut her out from
lew.
1t was close upon s o'clock in the
Vening, and John Preston, in a very
ontented frame Of mind, was pacing
be quarterback, smoking cigar, While
is thoughts wandered far away to
Genes and associations connected with
is boyhOod days. He was alone in the
'orld, having been left an orphan at an
arly age, and a smOthered sign ESCAPED
i'm as lie contrasted his lonely, solitary
te with friends who had wives and
hlldren to welcome and brighten their
atns through life. In fact, the sailor
'as Yelging upon the sentimental, Whe
deep, gruf exclamation from the mate
fectuAlly dispeIled The revere into
hicD he had lallGn.
"Whaps that? Did you address me.
Lr. MartinH
"W hat do you make out of that, STRIP,
nd the mate waved his huge hand in
ie direction of the land, winch loomeu
p dark and iorDiddIug against the
ear blue sky.
A bright, Iurid glare was perceptibIe.
hlch cast dancing simmer across
le sparkling waters, at times shooting
? with unW0nted briiliancy, and then
irtlally disappearing, only to break
rLn with renewed VlgOr.
"By George, can / / be possible? L be-
eve it is that ship on fire which we :
ghted just before dark" and in auiy-
OF excitement John Preston caurnL
} the ships glass, while the male, grim
u statue, stood ny his side. q
"lt Is the ship, sure as fate, and the q
mes have the upper hand. Keep DerI |
/, Mr.. Marlin, take pull at the braces. :
lank God, we can be OF some sery- /
eU '
tThe wind is light, sir, and it will soon '
u CAIN. Would it not be better To | s
ist the gig out? IL may be the means
saving Lie. l will pun in, sir; and | S
e current, which sets in-snore mere. "a
IA drift the ship in the right direction. | t
lie light OF the wreck viii attract the II
tentlon OF the rascals ashore, VINO are a
ways ou the alert Tor any such catas. b
yphe, and God help the poor fellow l.
10 falls into the power OF Formosa
vage." h
You are right, Marlin. You NAV ii
nWAV the zig hut + in ,,f,S | .