The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-01-16

NUDtHlu
I.ocsrby is evidestiy about to
make sarcastic reply, when q sud.
den larch ef the packet throws him
against the taft rail Tue straining
and stretching Of the sails aud corr
dage overhead also warn him that
the wind is blowing fresher every
minute. 1t will likely become a
gale.
With cry to the sailors to reel
the sails he takes the tiller himself,
and bids the other rouse the captain.
The dsft fingers of the tars sooe
relievs the mast Of extra pressure,
and tho packet eases. But moment
later it needs not the terco wild cry
Of Captain Hervy to tell him Of the
danger.
"For Gods sake, port T.
And up he rushos aud seizes the
helm from the subordinates hseds,
his eyes almost starting from their
sockets as he drags on the wheel.
The tiller ropes have become
wedged ia the groove and will not
move. The Normandy is uumaua
geabls !
Like o mountain from the now
dashing. frothing waters rises u
huge black giant OF gloom.
1t is no. o cloud, for the quick
trained sense OF the sk'llful sailor
sees only too clearly the fearful
truth.
The ship is belplessly drifting to-
wards tho Needless, the most dau-
gerous and fatal rocks in the Eug-
lsh channel.
1t is but tho work OF q moment
for tho captain to sieze an axe and
with ono blow sever the ropes.
The packet Suddenly swings round
with a fearful crash, but it is toe
l,ts.
With dull, rumbling groan the
ship strikes, aud the curse that falls
from the lips of Captain Harvey is
har,lly lost in the terrified slriek ol
agouy that comes from below.
Ia an instant all is confusion.
After the collision tue Normandy
slips from the ledge. aud the water
is rushing through the opening into
tho hull.
Half clad 10 night garments, cry.
ing shrieking, disappearing, praying,
wondering, come the half demented
passengers on deck.
There are no intermediate stages
Of an accident at sea. lis but one
step from tue dreamer to almost
certain death.
Over all is heard tho voice Of Cap.
tain Harvey
"Cut away the boats"
The sailors, prompt to the word,
are lowering them from the devits,
when the ships carpenter appears.
A bold and faithful man, he had
as his duty demanded, at the risk Of
his life, Axamined the leak.
"She will sink in fvo minutes +!
A howl like that OF infuriated
boasts, and the passengers rush poll
NELL for the gangway.
"The women and children first !!
he simply says, and snatching the
pistol l.ocarby, who is beside him,
holds ia his belt, he draws back the
lock.
Ere soul has stepped FROM the
vessel to tho boats that arc now
luuched. a small, wiry baldheaded
mau, with terror, advances from the
throng crowding round the ladder,
and cries
"it's your works. Captain Harvey,
You over insured the Normandy to
destroy her. You shall answer, sir,
to the law for your criminal neglect,
and for intended murder,
It was not known then, but il
same out afterwards that this indi-
vidual was secret attache one OF
the great underwriting companies oi
London.
As owner Of tho Normandy, john
Hsrvsy had insured her heavily, far
above, perhaps, what some might
consider hor just valuo. But it must
be remembered that iu it aud ON il
h his world. aud who could estimate
her ~ be did !
"You shall answer for your crime,
the man repeats but the captain,
though bis brow grows whitsr, mover
moves Q muscle.
Lieutenant Locarby, who superin-
tends the trsnsfsrral, ~ the first
boat, SCARCELY loaded, leaves the
ships sidst asks
1Osptaius. bow msnyf' ~.
NSi1ty--dftsen for each 2
There sre sixty-ons, bub bs doaa
| not oouut hi1sslk
Anothef Of The lunches wilh IL
|ppyGQpe cargo, roved ~ tnpky arns,