Richland beacon., 1878-09-07
while the sheet was manned and
hauled fat aft.

while the sheet was manned and
hauled fat aft
The effect of the broad surface Of
of canvas upon the ship was tremen-
duous. Her lee channels we've buried
in the foaming surges, and she re-
minded her bold commander Of q
fiery steed under the lash. The ship
no longer rode OUer the seas, but
forced berself bodily through them,
dividing the masses of water which
poured in one constant torrent aft to
the break Of the house.
A favorable start bad enabled the
Sunbeam to head we'll up, the breath
re the seamen came freer but in the
midst Of their hopes and fears, the
short wintry day came to a close, and
the som5er shades of night enveloped
land and sea- All day long not
mouthful of food had passed the lips
of that crew, from whom came no
word of complaint. 1t was impossi-
BILE to start fire in the galleystove,
and in fact no one OH board thought
Of hunger.
Sound the pumps there, carpenter,
and pass the word for the steward to
light the binnacle!"
The Captains orders were at once
obeyed the carpenter in faltering
voice reporting three feet water in the
hold
"Wbat is the matter with you,
Chips? Your voice trembles like an
old woman's. Is it any thing to be
wondered at that o vessel makes wa
ter when she is forced 10 this manner?
Rig the pump. sir, and be careful what
you are about, or you'll rue the day
you ever signed articles with Jack
Hardy" and the Captains voice as.
sumed bard, stern tone, which had
it's effect upon the subordinate.
The bowling Of the wind, and the
never-ceasing roar Of the huge waves
as they toppled on high. now mingled
with the dismal clank of the pump and
the rush of hail as they pattered on
deck. The running-gear bad been
swept in confusion to leeward, and
jammed by the water washing to and
fro meath the spare spars lashed along
the waterways. The glass bad be.
gun to rise, and already the gale had
betrayed symptoms of dying out.
Still not an officer or man left bis post
At ten o'clock the vessel was judged
to be abreast of the island, and as the
gale lulled the roaring OF breakers
dashing against the rocks bovmed
through the air.
At midnight the wind sank sudden
~ away, aud the sound of the break
ers became clearer. Perilous as bad
been the situation of the ship through
out the DAY, it was rendered Infinite
ly moro 50 by the dead calm. There
was not a breath of air. The ship
had become unmansgeable. driving
broadside to the rocks, where tho
heavy southwest swell was breaking
with force only equaled BY the ap-
pslling noise OF the reverberating
surges as they eliminated in clouds
Of foam and vapor about the ce.bound
shore.
Every moment the ship was forced
nearer and nearer to her doom. The
cables and anchors were entirely use-
less, for there was no bottom to be
bad at one hundred and sixty faith
Oms the boats were of no service for
towing on account of the furious swell
and oil hands realized that in less
than twenty minutes the good ship
Sunbeam would be ground into pieces
as minute as too,bpicks. The seamen
gazed at one another sgbast, as death
clothed with countless terrors. stared
them in the face. Suddenly the car
penter started forward.
There is one chance left, lads
Follow me, and lend hand to launch
the long boat"
"Tbe long. boat! the long-bost !"
was repeated from the psllid lips of
the poor fellows. who were ready to
grasp at q straw to save their lives.
Fear bad deprived them of their
cooler judgment. But in q voice Of
thunder Jack Hardy arrested their
movements.
"Stand fast, lads, and do as l bid
yon. Carpenter, come out Of that
boat"
"Not l. 'Tis each man for
himself, and God for Us all now,"
was the reply Of the man. as be COOL
ly cut the lasbings which secured the
boat.
"Once more. l say, obey my orders.
You would be dashed to pieces in q
moment"
"As well il this as on board bere.
Come on, lads"
And be waved bis hand to the crew
who were already wavering.
"For the last time. | order you out
Of that boat. So long as two planks
of this ship stick together, and | have
life, I will be obeyed."
"And l repeat, life is sweet"
With the words came the SHARP
crack of Q revolver; the msn threw
up bis arms, grasped convulsively a