The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-06-11
NO. "a.

was thus drawn along to the stern. There
the rope uncoiled, and he dropped into
the sea.
"Cap'n, I'm overheard" Capt. Nc
Dade heard his brother-in-law scream.
1t was trying moment for the Captain.
His wife's brother in the sea, and his
main boom whipping back and forth,
his vessel careening, and his control
over her almost gone. If he tried to
save the mate his craft was gone, sure.
"He's dead; it's no use, Cap'n,"
Peterson shouted.
Capt McDade did not answer, for Just
then, as the vessel lurched, the binnacle
light went out, and in an instant after
ward flash of light shone from the
cabin windows. Steward Downey saw
that flash. MY God" he cried to the
Captain, " the ship is afire." He leaped
into the cabin. The three oil lamps
were on the floor, and the fire was well
under way. Downey sprang through
the flame to the Captains stateroom,
then on the fire stamped it out.
Meanwhile the crew had got the main
sail lowered, and the schooner was
eased. Mate Peterson, however, had
heard O'Donnell shout, and without
waiting for orders groped his way for
ward and lowered the yawl into the
water, and then Capt. McDade heard
him shouting away behind in the
schooner's wake. Adrift in the boat,
xpit nd ,o1y
ing ten knots an hour. He could not
even see the schooner's torch, the waves
ran so high. Peterson had given up phope.
Suddenly he heard family away off in
the darkness
Look sharp!"
1t was poor O'Donnell, whom Peter
son supposed to be at the bottom of the
sea. Just then he saw the schooner's
light. She had tackled, and was almost
sweeping over him. He made fast to
her as she scudded along, and shouted
to the Captain that he was safe. Just
then they all heard again voice out in
the darkness. Downey seized the oars,
jumped into the yawl, and with Peter
son rowed toward the voice.
When O'Donnell struck the water he
sank only few feet, and on rising to
the surface shouted to the Captain, and
then tried to swim. He could not use
his legs. Then he remembered the blow
he had received in the small of the back.
He thought his back swas broken and
that he might as well die. He padded
little with his hands, and saw that it
kept him afoat, although his legs hung
like lead in the water.
Almost in despair, he was about to
cease padding. Then he saw the light
of the vessel, and that kindled hope
The light disappeared, and he feared
that the Captain could not stop to pick
him up, but he kept up gentle pad
ding. Thus he kept his head above the
water and rode out the great waves. He
was able to keep himself afloat with lit
tie exertion, but the pain in his back
was excruciating.
Now and then he shouted, and tried
to catch an answer. None came. He
gave up all hope, but padded instinc-
lively. He remembered the sharks that
followed the schooner in the morning.
This filled him with terror. Still he
padded, half unconsciously. Then he
thought of his wife and children, now
in Europe, and that nerved him, and
putting his hands together reverently,
just using motion enough to keep him
afioat, he prayed to Heaven to spare
him for his wife and children.
AS he opened his eyes after the prayer,
he saw that dawn was just breaking, and
far away a speck approaching him. 1t
was the boat. The men did not see him,
but fortunately they pulled in his direc-
ton, and when they heard him shout,
they pulled with all their might toward
him.
Downey said afterward that they were
just about giving him up as they heard
him call. O'Donnell sank to the bot
tom of the yawlunconscious and the two
sailors pulled to the schooner, which lay
six miles away. He had been four hours
in the water
An hour later the sailors saw the two
sharks following the schooner again.
Rg Lord Chesterfield was dining at an
inn where the plates were very dirty.