Richland beacon., 1878-09-07
RAYVILLE La. SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER I 1878

And so through the long dreary
night, the watch was kept up. and
with mornings dawn q slight change
was noted. The ship was lying to on
the starboard tack making fair weath.
er of it for SO sharp a vessel, when
the murky obscurity began to clear,
and a glimmer of clear sky was seen.
The important news was imme-
diately reported to Captain Hardy.
who was doing in chair by the
comparion-way. With q bound be
sprang up the steps. and at the same
instant the cry of Land. 81" echoed
through the ship. -Four points of the
weather bow the loom of land was
seen, which every moment was be-
coming more distinct, while off TIC
lee beams stretched the ice-bound
coast of Cape Horn.
The dark face of Jack Hardy grew
q shade paler as bis eyes ranged from
point to point. taking in certain land.
marks, which but too accurately con-
irmed the dangerous predicament Of
the Sunbeam, a presentiment of which
bad haunted the young commanders
breast.
The ship was nearly landlocked, on
lee SD IRE, attended with horrors we'll
calculated TO demoralize the bravest
seaman. The land on tho weather
bow proved to be the island Diego
Ramirez. that on the weather quarter
St. I6lefOnsO rocks, and that on the
lee beam was the coast of Cape
Horn.
But two alternatives remained by
which the lives of all on board could
be saved, together with the ship and
cargo. One was to run between
Diego Ramirez aud the coast, the
other to make sail and endeavor to
bear of shore 10 the teeth of the gale,
which had abated somewhat 10 vio-
lence. 1t was impossible to remain
hove to, as few hours would have
found the vessel on the rocks.
Jack Hardy was not long in making
up bis mind as to the best course to
pursue. A glance at the chart re-
vealed countless sunken rocks and
lodges in the channel. with which be
was totally unacquainted. He would
only attempt that as last alternative.
"Send ali hands oft, Mr.. Pierson.
Rouse out the watch below. Splice
the main brace, set the close reefed
foretop-sail and reefed foresall."
The steward hastily served out the
grog. which was eagerly swallowed
by the sailors, who fully realized the
nature of the struggle they were
about to engage 10.
A tremendous sea was running,
which set the ship still nearer to the
lee shore with every heave. Under
the press Of canvas which it was i'm
perative to carry, the Sunbeam wss
all but buried 10 the foaming surges
Sea after sea broke over the ship as
she lay 10 the trough. delugiug her
with water from the forecaslle aft to
the bipoacle, where two Of the best
seamcn had been lashed to the wheel.
Occasionally the sharp bows Of the
clipper would descend with terrible
force, plunging madly into the seas.
threatening to tear herself assunder
as she struggled on. The entire ships
company was on deck, clinging to
life-lines which bid been rove fore aud
aft. The captain had taken up bis
position aft by the wheel. while the
two mates, with their respective
watches, stood ready to execute any
orders that wight emanate from the
quarterback
Gradually the ship closed in with
the land, aud the sight was truly a
terrible one. When the vessel was iu
the trough Of the sea, nothing could
be distinguished but . waste OF
waters; but when borne aloft on the
summit of some enormous wave, then
the bigb, beetling rocks, with noun
. tains of ice, over which the seas were
! breaking masthead high. were fully
,, revealed to the sbuddering sailors.
Suddenly the sails shivered and
tapped like thunder.
; "Up with your helm! keep her full!'
shouted the Captain, as be turned
, toward the pinnacle.
"The wind has headed US of q pint.
SIR" responded the seamen, as be
glanced from the compass to the
, weather.leecb of the maiD.topssil.
, "Tben God have mt rcy on us!'
muttered the captain, IS be glanced
quickly to leewsrd. "Tis Q narrow
chance, aud anything is preferable to
being dashed to pieces on you rocks
Mr.. Pierson," and be raised his voice
!. "loose the mainsail and reef it,"
The mate stared at bis commander
10 uosllsyed smazement. and pro5a
bly, for the 6rst time 10 bis life hesits
> ted to obey the order of bis superior
!. "Sbe will never bear il, SIR"
"She must, or carry the mssts ovel
J the side. Set the sail, sir, or I'll do i
: for you."
"Ill do it sir, if it's the last act o
4 my lifc." and 5000 after the hardy
crew were beaving the tack down