Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-09-13
tContinued from First Page.)
Changes. By the way IT blows. l think
will blow out by midnipht.''

power, in the midst of the fury and up
roar oil the storm, but was hardly secured
when the jib blew away with a loud report
There were loud commands and shrill
pipings below. and then the captain gave
orders to let her fall off before the wind.
and under easier sail, and with steadier
keel. the great ship ran before the gale
down to the Jersey coast.
Then the night fell down on the sea-
The passengers crept out to see how it
Jared with the ship. They whispered the
strange news through the saloons and the
cabins. There was woman at the helm.
and they Were making for New York under
her pilotage
All the long, long night, she sat wrapped
IN rubber cloaks on that swaying bridge.
They dashed her to the railing. and gave
her high seat where she could look out
al the night and the sea. Towards morn
ing the sea went down and the wind abated.
AT her suggestion. they tried the lead at
one o'clock. and the monotonous cry of
the sailor as he read off the iathoms, came
up to her through the darkness. Twice
she ordered the course changed TO east of
south. and the lead sank into deeper
waters. At O'Clock the wind changed,
and came out due west.
The ship was put about, and under
good spread of canvas ran little west of
north. The rain changed to mist. and
hnaily stopped. Then, as it grew pale and
gray in the east, heavy fog settled on the
water, and the wind fell to mere fitful
breeze
The passengers began to stir about, and
gazed up curiously at the heavily-cloaked
figure peering over the top of the canvas
screen. The deep boom of the whistle
broke in measured notes on the air, and
the monotonous swash of the waves kept
up dreary undertone.
Two or three hours passed, and nothing
happened. They were drifting idly on the
sea-they knew not where, The captain
began to be anxious, and the under Off
GERS murmured at the woman. Why had
they taken this mere girl-this stranger
into confidence
They were distrustful and full of doubt.
The woman herself went down to the map
room and eagerly studied the charts and
read the nights log-book. She pointed
to the map and placing her fiuger on a
certain spot, said
1--WE are just there, and when it clears
You will see the Hook abeam. The rca-
son the lead runs deeper is because we
are drifting on the Gibbs
clark There's WHISTLE
faint murmur, rs from some instru-
ment sounding the chord of A, came in at
the open door. A strange hush had fallen
on the ship. Every ear seemed strained
to catch the sound that fioated over the
water. Aain it came--faint, far away and
musical.
''lts the Jane-my husbands boat :"
cried the wife.
With a sort Of frantic rush she ran up
the ladder to the bridge, and grasping the
whistle rope she gave three short notes
followed by one long one. Hardly had
the booming roar died away when the in
visible steamer replied note Tor note.
A perfect shout of applause broke from
the thousand men gathered on deck, and
for moment there was scene of joyful |
confusion on the ship. Everybody came
out, and buzz of animated conversation,
mingled with shouts and laughter, filled
the air. The pent-up anxiety of the night
and storm gave way to voluble pleasure
and satisfaction.
Another whistle Tar off to the north. |
Then another to the southwest. The sea
was full of boats. All the fog lifts. In
sudden sweep it lifts and drifts away in
pearly masses before the sun.
All the Hook! The hills of Neversink |
in outline in the distant horizon. A tow
boat! Another, another. Six of them
spread in gigantic circle over the sea.
Brave watchmen waiting to welcome the
ships, with iron arms and fiery hearts. A
dismasted barque lay far to the south
Two schooners with every sail set drifted
idly to the east. Four of the tugs started |
frantic haste for the greater prize, one ran |
for the barque and the sixth contented
himself with the two schOoners. Two
came to the steamers bow together-the !
Jane and the Ramapo.
"A hundred dollars!'' shouted one
large captain.
''Seventy-five !" screamed his rival.
Give you seventy-five apiece!n cried
the big captain from the bridge.
"All right! Give us your lines
woman's dress was seen fluttering
among the chains at the bows. The Jane
suddenly seemed to have lost her senses.
She refused the tow-line, and it fell with
splash into the water
my husband has come | must 90
now, captain"
The old fellow grasped her hand in both
OF his. and very nearly crushed her we'd
ding-ring.
Call at the office. ma'a Call at the
company's office. shall report you-Oh
now. ma'am, you'd better. No? Done
your duty9 You did surely. bless me
Is this him9 Glad to see you, Captain
Thompson. We have brought back your
wife-or rather she has brought us back.
Clever idea to remember the signal SER
vice. Well, now, ma am, goodbye, and
don't forget to call at the company's
Office
They gave three times three as she
went down the ladder. Somebody held a
baby aloit. Then they chcered again.
The Jane took her place beside the Rcmaso
How the engine roared. The CRATE cables
strained and shok out lee Water in pearly
crops. Slowly the helpless monster behind
swung round and forgot ahead.
Higher grew the hills Of Neversink.
Long Island came yellow and green out
OF the sea. The forts sprang up in the
northwest. Slowly they entered the noblest
bay in the world, and boat and baby and
pilot were safe again.