Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-07-11
Beneath the Sea.
By T. HENRY DOYLE.

By z. HENRY DOYLE.
Out from the English harbor, with
all sails set, came the packet Normandy,
bound for the coast of France. A fairer
day had never with its sunshine kissed
land or sea.
Slowly the trim vessel rode in its
course, long line of light stretching
from its bow to the setting sun, making
it appear like some golden road that
reached from earth to heaven.
A singular silence had come over the
bark and its living freight. The last
cheers of the people on the pier had
died away in the distance, and those on
the deck, having ceased to respond,
stood leaning on the bulwarks gazing
thoughtfully shorewards.
Only as the breath of the fitful breeze
suffered some sail to flap against the
mast was the strange silence broken.
No engine pulsatsd down beneath the
well-scrubbed deck, for not yet had the
mind Of man achieved that browning
glory of invention. Time and space
still held their own ON the waste of
waters, and the genius that was to make
q mockery of them had not yet been
born.
SO the passengers knew that even
with the most favorable winds the sun
must sink and rise again ere they can
bid adieu to the vessels wooden walls,
and tread the soil of France.
A momentary gliding of the wide
Channels breast with glorious radi-
ance and twilight-the vanguard of
coming gleom-prepares to take the
mastery.
John Hervey. pilot and captain
bronzed and leaves the
helm to an under officer, and mingles
with his passengers.
A few courteous words here or there,
and he addressed himself to q lady sit
ting alone near the main cabin. She
raised her eyes at the souLd of his
footsteps, and revealed q sweet girlish
face as beautiful as dream of morn
ing.
ITS good omen, Hester" was his
greeting. as he sat beside her, "that
the first step in our new existence
should be SO bright, so promising, and
let us prey to God it may never
change.
She only answered "Amen," hardly
audibly, but with tone whose depths
and sweetness told the hope came from
her Utmost soul.
As they walked about that evening
enjoying the balmy air and the lovely
prospects, many who knew the truth
saw the couple and silently invoked the
blessing of Heaven on heron him,
For to-day had seen the realization
OF the captains dearest aspirations.
The ship he stood upon was his own
paid for with the proceeds of years of
toil-and the maiden was his wife, the
bride OF only day, but his love in
manhood and in youth.
Darkness came, and only those whose
presence duty required remained
above. The captain gave the necessary
orders for the night, and then, after
an instructive look at the sky, went be-
low himself.
len o'clock or more, and the breeze
increasing. Occasional clouds obscure
the stars, and the waves, as they dash
against the prov or strike the sides.
have hollow, echoing sound that
seems like the moaning of articulate
speech.
Midnight, and the heavens are COM
pletely euveloped in cloak of gloom.
Ay, worse even, for one of those sud-
den thick fogs that come at times with
speed OF the whirlwind in the Channel,
hangs around the vessel as though it
were coffin and its pail.
Lieutenant Mr.. Locarby -
The Ofdcer, who was near the main.
mast, peering anxiously out into the
darkness, started and quickly walked
ait as he heard the nervous voice of the
helmsman.
Well, what is it?"
II have lost my reckoning, We
were to have the moon to night. but
this cursed fog has upset nv caicula-
tons. Hadn't you better call the cap
tain?'
Locarby is evidently about to make a
sarcastic reply, when a sudden lurch OF
the packet throws him against the taft
rail. The straining and stretching of
the sails and cordage overheard also
warn him that the wind ia blowing
fresher every minute. 1t will likely be.
come Gale.s
With cry to the sailors to reef the
sails, he takes the tiller himself, and
bids the other arouse the captain.
The dcft fingers of the tars soon re.
neve the masts of extra pressure, and
the packet eases. But moment later
1t needs not the fierce, wild cry of Cap.
tain Hervey to tell him of his danger.
For Gods sake, port p
And up he rushes and seizes the
helm from his subordinate's hands, his
eyes almost starting from their sockets
as he drags on the wheel.
The tiller.ropes have become wedged
IN the groove, and will not move. The
Normandy is unmanageable
Like mountain from the now dash
ing, frothing water rises huge black
giant OF gloom. It is not cloud. for
the quick trained sense Of the skilled