The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-30
OUR STORY TELLER.
BENEATH THE SEA.
BY p. HENRY DOYLE.

e -
Out from the English harbor, with all
sails set, came the packet Normandy,
bound for the coast of France A fairer
day had never with its sunshine kissed
the land or sea.
Slowly the trim vessel rode in its
course, long line of light stretching
from its bow to the setting sun, making
it appear like some golden road that
reached from earth to heaven. -
singular silence had come over the
bark and its living freight. The last
cheers of the, people on the pier had
died away in the distance, and those on
the deck, having ceased to respond,
stood leaning on the bulwarks gazing
thoughtfully shorewards.
Only as the breath of the fitful breeze
suffered some sail to flap against the
mast was the strange silence broken.
No engine pulsated down beneath the
well7scrubbed deck, for not yet had the
mind of man achieved that browning
glory OF invention. Time and space
still held their own on the waste of
waters-and the genius that was to make
mockery of them had not yet been
born.
with the most favorable winds the sun
must sink and rise again ere they can
bid adieu to the vessels wooden walls,
and tread the soil of France.
a momentary gliding of the wide
ChannePs breast with a glorious radi-
ance and twilight-the vanguard of
coming gloom-prepares to take the
mastery.
John Hervey, pilot and captain
bronzed and stern-faced-le the helm
TO an under-officer, and mingles with
his passengers.
A few courteous words here or there,
and he addressed himself to lady sit
ting alone near the main cabin. She
raised her eyes at the sound.of his foo
steps and revealed sweet girlish face,
as beautiful as a dream of morning.
Its good omen, Hester" was his
greeting, as he sat beside her, " that
the first step in our new existence should
be SO bright, so promising, and-let us
pray to God it may never change"
She only answered Amen hardly
audibiy, but with tone whose depth
and sweetness told the hope came from
her inmost soul.
As they walked about that evening
enjoying the balmy air and the lovely
prospect, many who knew the truth,
saw the couple and silently invoked the
blessing of Heaven on heron him.
For to-day had seen the realization of
the Captains dearest aspirations. The
ship he stood upon was bis own-paid
Tor with the proceeds Of years of toll
and the maiden was his wife, the bride
of only day, but his love in manhood
and in youth.
Darkness came, and only those whose
presence duty required, remained above.
The Captain gave the necessary orders
for the night, and then, after an in
stinctive look at the sky, went below
himself.
Ten o'clock or more, and the breeze
increasing. Occasional clouds obscure
the. stars and the waves, as they dash
against the PROV or strike the sides.
have hollow, echoing sound that
seems like the moaning of articulate
speech.
Midnight, and the heavens are COM
pletely enveloped in cloak of gloom.
Ay, worse even, for one of those sudden
thick fogs that come at times with the
speed of the whirlwind in the Channel.
hangs around the vessel, as though it
were coffin and its pail
Lieutenant Mr.. Locarbyp'
The officer, who was near the main
mast, peering anxiously out into the
darkness, started and quickly walked aft
as he heard the nervous voice of the
helmsman.
Well, what is it?''
have lost my reckoning. We were
TO have the moon tonight, but this
cursed fog has upset my calculations.
Hadn't you better call the Captain?
Locarby is evidently about to make a
sarcastic reply, when sudden lurch of
the packet throws him against the taft.
rail. The straining and stretching of
the sails and cordage overhead also
warn him that the wind is blowing
fresher every minute. 1t will likely be-
come gale.
With cry to the sailors to reef the
sails, he takes the tiller himself, and
bids the other arouse the Captain.
The deft fingers of the tars soon re-
lieve the mast of extra pressure, and the |
packet eases. But moment later it |
needs not the fierce wild cry of Captain |
Hervey to tell him of his danger.
For Gods sake, portp
And up he rushes and seizes the helm
from his subordinate's hands, his ewes
almost starting from their sockets as he
drags on the wheel.
The tiller ropes have become wedeed
ID the groove and will not move. The
Normandy is unmanageablel
Like mountain from the now dashino
frothing waters rises huge black giant
of gloom. '''-'
1t is not cloud, for the quick, trained
sense of the skilled sailor sees only too
clearly the fearful truth.
The ship is helplessly drifting towards
the Needles, the most dangerous and
fatal rocks in the English Channel.
1t is but the work of a moment for the
captain to seize an ak and with one
blow sever the ropes,