The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-08-30

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a fight out of the coward yet" The rest Of
the crew might have let the matter pass, bad
not Bunkton's continued behavior kept alive
the idea Of Bakers cowardice.
None save himself knew the great strug-
giles that went on in the young mans bos-
ON but he had resolved that he would not
fight, except in actual and necessary self
defence, and he adhered to his principle,
He performed his duties faithfully, and Cap
tain Jacobs was forced TO admit that though
Baker was coward he wasyet good sailor.
Thus matters passed until the ship had
doubled the Cape of Good Hope and enter
ed the Indian Ocean. 1t was towards the
close of day that had been sultry and OPP
pressive, that a fitful breeze sprang up from
the southwark. Itcame in quick, cool gusts,
and the canyas only tapped before IT.
awe are likely to have blow soon," re-
marked the mate.
"Not much, think" returned the cap
tain, as he took survey of the horizon.
"This splitting will soon die away, and
think the wind will then come out from the
westrd. However, it may be well enough
to shorten sail. You may take in t'gal-
lant'ls and close reef the top'ls."
This order was quickly obeyed, and, as
the captain had predicted, the splitting gusts
died away, but there was no wind came out
from the westward. 1t grew dark, but no
wind had come. About ten o'clock those
who were on deck were startled by sudden
darkening of the stars, and they saw great
black cloud rolling up from the southwark.
1t soon hung over the ship like black pail,
and the men began to be frightened. The
captain was called, but before he came on
deck there came a crash as though the very
heavens had been rent asunder The old
ship trembled in every joint, and a huge
ball of fire rolled down the mainmast. An
other and another crashing of the lightning
came, and at last the electric light began
to play about the wind-tossed ship in wild,
fantastic streams.
"The foremast is struck |" shouted one of
the men. "See where its head is shivered I"
All eyes were turned to the spot, and by
the next wild flash the men could see that
a dangerous havoc had been made with the
mast The cap was shivered, the starboard
cheek was nearly stripped off, and the tres
tletrees were quyering. ofcourse the heavy
topmast was only held in place by the du-
bious trestletree, and the main-top threat
ened every moment to come laundering up
on the deck, with the long topmast and the
topgallontmast in its company. Such cat
astrophe would surely prove fatal to the
ship, and all knew it.
But while all hands were gazing at this,
another danger arose. The low, rumbling
sound that had been growing in the south
ward had escaped the notice of the crew,
and ere they knew it, the rushing, bowling
wind was upon them. The ship leaped like
frightened stag before the gale. Mate cut
the maintopsail sheets, and the sail was
snapped into ribbons. The foretopsail was
clewed up, and the ship was got before the
wind.
The lightning cloud was swept away, and
it was dark as Erebus. The wind howled
iearfully, but there was one sound more
fearful than that. 1t was the creaking of
the shattered trestletrees, as the fd of the
topmast bore down upon them.
90 Godp calculated Captain Jacobs, "if
the trestletrees give way we are lost Hark
Hear them labor p
Away up alof, in the impenetrable dark
ness, stood the giant ropmast, and all felt it
could not stand there long. The men crow
ded aft, aud with painfully beating hearts
they heard the mast labor.
"If we could bring the ship broadside to"
said the mate, 'the weather-rigging might
be cut, and the mast would go overheard"
"True, true" relurned the captain, "but
who shall go aloit and do the job? There
would be no foothold in the top, for that will
90 with crash. The trestletrees are al
ready shattered"
"If you will port the helm, I will make
the trial." cried clear, strong voice, which
was at once recognized as that of Caleb
Bakers.
at will be sure death" cried Jacobs.
"Then let it be So" returned Caleb. al
l succeed the rest of you may be saved, but
now we are all in danger. Port the helm
and will 60"
Caleb took the ak from the mizzenmast
| l.. g., Lost in ha do
as he moved towards the starboard rigging.
The helm was put aport, and the ship grad
ually gave her starboard side to the gale
Soon the blow of an AK was heard then
another-and another. The ship heavily
heaved over-then another blow was heard
There was a fearful straining-and then
came the crash. The heavy topmast had
gone clear over the side. Fragments OF the
trestle and crosstrees came rattling upon the
deck, but all yes were strained painfully to-
wards the masthead. The dim outlines oi
the heroic man could be seen safely hanging
by the mizzen topmast.
The ship was once more got before the
wind, and ere long Baker came safely to the
deck. He staggered aft to the pinnacle, and
there he sank fainting and bruised upon the
deckj but he was quickly conveyed to the
cabin, and his wants supplied.
Caleb's bruises were none Of them bad
and in few days he was again at his duty
The men eyed him auxiously, and they
seemed uneasy as they met his smiles. The
captain, too, changed color, when he met
the kind, noble look of the young man, but
he soon oyercame the false pride that actu'
ated him, aud stepping to the noble fellows
side, he took him by tie hand.
"Caleb," said he, "If have done wrong
l freely ask you to forgive me. l have said
you were a coward, but now admit did
not know you"
Think no more of it," said Caleb, with q
beaming eye. once promised to QUE whom
loved better than liie-my mother-that
would never do deed OF which l might af
terward be ashamed"
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