Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-05-18

reening, and his control over her
almost gone. If he tried to save
the mate his craft was gone sure.
She's dead; it's no use, Cap'n,"
Peterson shouted.
Captain McDade did not answer,
for just then, as the vessel lurched,
the binnacle light went out, and an
instant afterward a flash of light
shown from the cabin windows.
Steward Downey saw that flash.
/" MY God," he cried to the captain,
/" the ships afrew He leaped into
the cabin. The three oil lamps
were on the floor, and the fire was
we'll under way. Downey sprang
through the flames to the captains
staterOom, seized the blankets from
the bunk, and throwing them on
the fire stamped itout.
Meanwhile the crew had got the
mainsail lowered, and the schooner
eased. Mate Peterson, however,
had heard O'Donnell shout, and
without waiting for orders CROPPED
his way forward and lowered the
yawl into the water, and then Cap
tain McDade heard him shouting
away behind in the schooner's
wake. Adrilt in the boat, without
an oar, and the schooner making
ten knots an hour. He could not
even see the schooner's torch, the
waves ran so high. Peterson had
given up hope. Suddenly he heard
family off in the darkness
"Look sharp~
1t was poor 0'Donnell, whom
Peterson supposed to be at the bot
tom 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 Peterson rowed to-
ward the voice.
When 0'Donnell struck the
water he sank only a 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 that he
received in the small of the back
He thought his back was broken
and that he might as well die. He
padded little with his hands, and
saw that it kepthim ahoat, although
his legs hung like lead in the water
Almost in despair, he was about tc
cease padding, Then he saw the
light of the vessel, and that kindled
hope. The light disappeared, and
he feared that the captain could moi
stop to pick him up, but he KEEP
up a gentle padding. Thus he
kept his head above the water anC
rode out the great waves. He wal
able to keep himself ahoat witt
little exertion, but the pain in hi,
back was exoruciating. Now anC
then he shouted and tried to catct
an answer. None came. He gave
up all hope, but padded instinct
lively. Then he remembered the
sharks that followed the schooner
lin the morning. This thought
filled him with terror. Still he
padded, half unconsciously. Their
he thoughtof his wife and children
now in Europe, and that nervet
him, and putting his hands to-
gether reverently, just using motion
enough to keep himself ahoat, h(
prayed to heaven to spare him fol
his wife and children. AS he
opened his eyes after this prayer, he
saw that dawn was just breaking
and far away speck approaching
him. 1t was the boat. The men
did not see him, but fortunately
they pulled in his direction, 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 ae
they heard him call. 0'Donnel
sank to the bottom of the yawl un.
conscious, and the two sailors pulled
to the schooner, which lay si1
miles away. He had been foul
hours in the water.
An hour later the sailors saw the
two sharks following the schooner
again.
/