The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-02-05


rocks in the English Channel. 1t is but
the work of moment for the captain to
seize an axe and with one blow sever the
ropes. The packet suddenly swings
round with fearful crash, but it is too
late. With dull, rumbling groan the
ship strikes, and the curse that falls from
the lips of Captain Hervey is hardly lost
in the terrified shrek of agony that
comes flom below.
In an instant all is confusion.
After the collision the Normandy slips
from the ledge, and the water is rushing
through the opening into the hull.
Half clad in night garments, shrieking,
disappearing, praying and wondering,
come the half demcnted passengers on
deck.
There are no immediate stages of
thought IN an accident at sea. IT'S but
one step from the Eden of the dreamer
to almost certain death. Over all is
heard the voice of Captain Hervey.
"Cut away the Doats!'
The sailors, prompt at the word, a1e
lowering them from the davis, when the
ships carpenter appears. A bold and
faithful man, he had, as his duty de-
manded, at the risk of his life examined1
the leak.
"She will sink in five minutesr'
howl like that of Infatuated be asts,
and the passengers pell NELL rush for the
gangway. With one stride the captain
confronts them.
'The women and children frstl" be
simply says, and snatching the pistol
s. hi l.
belt, he draws back the lock.
Ere soul has stepped from the vessef
to the boats that are now launched, +
small, wiry, bald headed man. shaking
with terror, advances from the throng
crowded round the ladder and cries:
''1t's your work, Captain Hervey. You
over-insured the Normandy to destroy
her. You shall answer, sir, to the lazy
for your criminal neglect, and for In
tended murder.
1t was not known then, but it came out
afterwards, that this Individual was Sc
cret attache of one of the great under
writing companies of London.
As owner of the Normandy, John Her
vey had insured her heavily, far above,
perhaps, what some might have consid--
cred her just value. But it must be re-
membered that in it and on it is his
world, and who could estimate her as he
did.
'You shall answer for your crlme,' the
man repeats; but the captain, though
his brow grows whittier, never moves g.
muscle.
Lieutenant Locarby, who superintends
the transferral, as the first boat, scarcely
loaded. leaves the ships side, asks:
Captain, how many?"
"Sixty fifteen tor each!'
There are sixty-one, but he does not
count himself.
Another of the launches with its pre-
cious cargo, rowed by lusty arms, fol-
lowed its predecessor out to sea.
The Normandy at the fore-end is now
entirely beneath the water, and those OF
deck scarce keep their footing. Many
are the scenes Of selfish terror enacted,
but not a man dared step into the. fraia
hope afforded till the children and the
women are provided for.
All but one-the captains wife Hester,
She refused Locarby's offered hand, and
though pale as death, clings to the rail by
her husband.
my place is by his side," she says,
"No! my love, CO." he bids her; 81
shall be the last
"My place is by your side" she re-
peated; Il will not go.''
The work of e1nbarkation is continued,
though the Normandy has begun to reel
like drunken man, and is slowly slip
ping back. Half the formast is sub
merged. And but four persons remain.
= The insurance agent, scowling at the
white-faced captain, steps into the wait
ing boat. Lieutenant LocarbY follows.
"Mrs. Hervey," he cried, standing up In
the stern, ''your hand, captain!'
The packet seems to settle in the ocean,
like man nesting for deep sleep.
Captain Eervey does not Immediately
answer. A sudden rising of his arm, 3
sharp report, and the attsche falls over
the thwarts, dead, bullet through his
brains. He then speaks: II shall die at
my post, and die as I have lived, without
a suspicion of stain upon my good
name"
The raging waves are now playing
about his feet. Hester, her head upon
his bosom, has thrown her arms about
his neck. A second will be fatal to all
The suction Of the sinking Normandy
will swamp them. Locarby, with strong
effort, pushed the launch beyond the
line of danger.
But the Lieutenant cannot turn his
eyes from the fated ship, and the last of
the Normandy is loud convulsive gulp,
as the wild waters meet above its neck,
and man and woman, clasped in each
others embrace, their faces turned to-
wards heaven, sink with it slowly BE-
meath the sea.