Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-12-21

land, and the sight was truly terrible
one. When the vessel was in the trough
of the sea, nothing could be distinguish
ed but waste Of waters; but when
borne aloft on the summit Of some enor-
nous wave, then the high, beetling
rocks, with mountains of ice, over which
the seas were breaking masthead high,
were fully revealed to the shuddering
sailors.
Suddenly the sails shivered and flap
ped like thunder.
:" Up with your helm! Keep her full!''
shouted the Captain, as he turned tow
ard the pinnacle.
The wind has headed us off pint,
sir" responded the seaman, as he glanc-
ed from the compass to the weather.
leech of the maintopsail.
Then God have mercy on us, NUT
tered the Captain, as he glanced quickly
to leeward. 'Tis narrow chance, and
anything is preferable to being dashed
to pieces on yOn rocks. Mr.. Person !,
and he raised his voice.
Loose the mainsail and reef it!'
The mate stared at his commander in
unallOyed amazement, and probably for
the first time in his life, hesitated to
obey the order Of his superior.
She will never bear it, sir
She must, or carry the masts over
the side. Set the sail, or | will do it for
you"
" | will do it, sir, if it is the last act of
my life, and soon after the hardy crew
were heaving the tack down, while the
sheet was manned and hauled fat aft.
The effect of the broad surface of
canvas upon the ship was tremendous.
Her lee channels were buried in the
foaming surges, and she reminded her
bold commander Of fiery steed under
the lash.
The ship no longer rode over the seas,
but forced herself bodily through them,
dividing the masses of water which
poured in one continuous torrent aft to
the break of the house.
A favorable start had enabled the Sun
beam to head well up, and the breath of
the seamen came freer; but in the midst
of their hopes and fears the short wintry
day closed in, and the sombre shades Of
night enveloped land and sea. All day
long not mouthful Of food had passed
the lips of the crew, from whom came no
complaint.
It was impossible to start fire in the
galley stove; and, in fact, no one on
board thought of hunger.
Sound the pumps there, carpenter,
and pass the word for the Steward to
light the binnacle!'
The carpenters orders were at once
obeyed; the carpenter in faltering
voice reporting three feet of water in
the hold.
What's the matter with you, Chips?
Your voice trembles like an old wo-
mans. Is it anything to be wondered at
that vessel makes water when she is
forced in this manner? Rig the pump,
sir, and be careful what you are about,
or you'll rue the day you ever signed ar
ticles with Jack Hardy" and the Cap
tain's voice assumed hard, stern tone,
which had it's effect upon the subordi-
nate.
The bowling of the wind and the nev-
they toppled on high, now mingled with
the dismal clank of the pump and the
rush of the hail as they pattered on the
deck. The running gear had been swept |
in confusion to leeward, and jammed by
the water washing to and fro beneath |
the span spars lashed along the water
ways.
The glass had begun to rise, and alrea-
dy the gale betrayed symptoms of dying
out. Still not an officer or man left his
post. At 10 clock the vessel was iudg-
ed to be abreast of the island, and as the
gale lulled, the roar Of breakers dashing
against the rocks doomed through the
air.
At midnight the wind sank suddenly
away, and the sound of the breakers be-
came clearer Perilous as had been the
of the ship throughout the day,
it was rendered infinitely more so by the
lead calm
There was not breath of air. The
ship had become unmanageable, driving
lbroadside to the rocks, where the hea-
w southwest swell was breaking with a
force only equalled by the appalling
noise of the reverberating surges as they
in clouds Of foam and vapor
lbOut the iron-bound shore
Every moment the ship was forced
nearer and nearer her DOOM The cables
md anchors were entirely useless, for
here was no bottom to be had at 160
'athoms; the boats were of no service
.Or towing on account OF the furious
swell, and all hands realized that in less
han 20 minutes the good ship Sunbeam
would be ground into pieces as minute
is toothpicks. The seamen gazed at one
mother aghast, as death, clothed with
countless terrors, stared them in the
ace. Suddenly the carpenter started
'orward.
There is one chance left, lads. Fol
ow me, and lend hand to launch the
ong boat
The long boat! the long boat! was
'epeated from the pallid lips the poor
'ellows, who were ready to gasp at
straw to save their lives. Fear had
deprived them of their cooler judg-
nent.
But in voice of thunder Jack Hardy
lrrested their movements.
Stand fast, lads, and do as / bid you.
Carpenter, come out of that boat"
Not |. 'Tis each man for himself
md God for us all, now," was the reply
If the man, as he coolly cut the lashing
which secured the boat.
Once more, | say, obey my orders.
Ou would be dashed to pieces in mo-
nent'
AS well in this boat as on board here.
Come on, lads"
And he waved his hand to the crew.
Who were already wavering.
For the last time, / order you out of
hat boat. So long as two planks of this
BOAT stick together and | have life, will
,e obeyed."
And | repeat, life is sweet"
With the words came the sharp crack
If the revolver; the man threw up his
rms, grasped convulsively in the air,
md fell headlong into the heaving swell,
disappearing among the bubbles and ed
lies aStern.