Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1878-01-10

!
hard up!" suddenly shouted the
mate, as he heard the roar of the
coming blast. ''Call all hands there,
one of ye! Weather main-brace some
of you! Square the yards fore and
aft Lively, my lads-liyelyl you
work for your lives!" and the voice
of the officer rang out sharp and
clear above the tumult of the ele-
ments.
The watch on deck sprang to exc
cute the orders of their superior, but
they stumbled over one another IN
their hurry and eagerness, thereby
wasting moments that were precious.
The rain drove in their faces and
eyes, and before the yards could be
squared, or the captain reach the
deck, the gale suddenly burst upon
the ship from the quarter directly OPP
pOsite to that from which it had been
blowing.
The huge sails were caught fiat
aback, the ship rolled bodily down,
and was thrown on 20 her BEAM
ends.
The man at the helm was hurled
from the wheel, and the mate, to-
gether with the crew, were throw
headlong to leeward.
Coils Of roI e, buckets, handspikes,
and every movable article about decks
were in the lee scuppers, and the
men struggled to free themselves from
the dangerous situation.
The watch below sprangfranticaly from
their berths, ,arraytd in the scanticst OF
drapery, and for a moment the deck
of the Sunderland was scene of
Wild and utter confusion.
Exerting his immense strength, In
gram was the first to recover, and,
crawling aft, he put his shoulder to
the wheel, assisted by the captain,
who had turned out in hurry.
Three axes, sharp and ready for
instant use, hung in beckets from the
mizzen-m1st.
1t was no time to hesitate, and
with the next fash Ingram grasped
the captain 5 arm and motined to-
ward them.
Tho roaring of the cIments render
ed it impossible for human voices to
be heard, and nod of the head was
sufficient for the athletic and undaunt-
ed Ingram.
He sprang forward, closely follow
ed by the second mate and boatswain,
who had OWNED his purpose.
In an instant the lanyartls of the
mizzen-.igging were severed, and the
mast went over the side.
But still the ship would not pay
Off, and their lives depended upon the
success of the manEuvre.
For an instant the captain and
officers watched the compass, and
then, by aid of the helayigg-pins,
ropes and the bulwarks, the three
men gained the main channels.
The seas were breaking over the |
ship heavily, and once the three mar
rowly csca Jed being washed over
board
But their courage and energy were
equal to the emergency.
The axes glittered in the glare of
the lightning, the lanyards flew
the dead-eyes, the tall. heavy
mainmast disappeared Into the foam
ing sea, and slowly the ship righted
she paid off before the furious gale.
The three men rejoinrd the cap,
tain, who was aft by the wheel, and
watched in silence the old craft flying
through the water, rolling heavily,
and occasionally striking against the
wreck of the masts, which were tow
ed alongside .
Uunder the direction of the mate,
,he men began to cut away the wreck,
while the captain hastened below to ,
whisper few words Of comfort to the
lady, wo was the only pas :
;enger on board. /
A heavy sea, assisted by the |
leave and sudden jerk of sea, sent
he foremast crashing over the port t
and the Sunderland lay I
listnantled wreck in the Bay of Bis ;
;ay. |
Not a man shrank from his duty; t
Ill worked with will; the tangled &
mass was cut away, and, as the sun
'ose cleaning brightly across the i
Wild, raging sea, the ship was bobbing t
lead TO the wind, anC. al! danger was |
considered over.
The gale continued, and the sea-
men, with light hearts, worked away s
Is they busted themselves rigging !
SITS. Ingram and the second {
nate each had gangs Of men, while {
he captain BUSTED aboa5 decks urg- +
NC the men to greater efforts.
''Have you tried the pumps this t
Mr.. Ingram?' inquired the
captain, as he ranged up alongside
the mate, who, with his coat off. was
as earnestly as any seaman. {
"No, sir, l have not 1t slipped ,
my mind, | was SO busy rigging the
jury-masts. 1t should it should have
been attended to before. | am afraid
the old craft may have strained her.
self with all the rough USAGE she hoe