Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-07-11
sailor sees only too clearly the fearful

wards the Needles, the most dangerous
and fatal rocks in the English Channel.
1t is but the work Of q moment for the
captain to seize an Ak and with one
blow sever the ropes. The packet sud.
denly 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 ter.
rified shrek of agony that comes from
below.
In an instant all is confusion.
After the collision the Normandy slips
from the ledge, and the water is rush
ing through the opening into the hull.
Half clad in night garments, shrek
ing, blaspheming, praying and wonder
ing, come the half-demented 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 boats ~
The sailors, prompt at the word, are
lowering them from the davits, when
the ships carpenter appears. A bold
and faithful man, he had, as his duty
demanded, at the risk of his life, ex-
amined the leak.
"She will sink in five minutes !"
A howl like that of Infatuated beasts,
and the passenger pell nell rush for
the gangway. With one stride the cap
tain confronts them.
1.-The women and children first /" he
simply says, and snatching the pistol
Locarby, who is beside him, holds in
his belt, he draws back the lock.
Ere soul has stepped from the YES
sci to the boats that are now launched,
a small, wiry, bald-beaded man, shak-
ing with terror, advances from the
throng crowded round the ladder and
cries:
Its your work, Captain Hervey.
You overinsured the Normandy to de
stroy her. You shall answer, sir, to
the law for your criminal neglect, and
for Intended murder
1t was not known then, but it came
out afterwards. that this individual was
secret attache of one OF the great un:
derwriting companies of London.
AS owner of the Normandy, John
Hervey had insured her heavily, far
above. perhaps, what some might have
considered her just value. But it must
be remembered that in it and on it is
his world, and who could estimate her
as he did?
| "You shall answer for your crime, :"
the man repeats; but the captain.
though his brow grows winter, never
moves muscle.
Lieutenant Locarby, who superin-
tends the transferral, as the first boat,
scarcely loaded, leaves the ships side,
asks:
Captain, how many?"
"Sixty-fifteen for each !"
There are sixty-one, but he does mot
count himself. q
Another of the launches with its pre-
cious ca go, 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
on deck scarcely keep their footing.
Many are the scenes of selfish terror
enacted, but not man dared step into
the frail hope afforded till the children
and women are provided for.
All but one-the captains wife Hes
ter. 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.
., %N o. m. my low love- CO." he bids her; 81
my place is by your side," she re-.
peated; II will not CO."
The work of embarkation is con.
tinued, though the Normandy has be-
gun to reel like drunken man, and is
slowly slipping back. Half the formast
is submerged. And but four persons
| remain.
The insurance agent, scowling at the
white.faced captain, steps into the
waiting boat. Lieutenant Locarby fol-
lows.
Mrs. Hervey," he cried, standing
up in the stern, "your hand, captain i"
The packet seems to settle in the
ocean like a man nesting for a deep
sleep.
Captain Hervey does not Immediately
answer. A sudden rising of his arm,
tCPolt, anu tuo HtCacQo lallS
over the thwarts, dead, bullet through
his brains. He then speaks II shall
die at my post, and die as have lived,
without 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 q
strong effort, pushed the launch beyond
the line of danger.
But the Lieutenant cannot turn his
eyes from the fatel 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 towards heaven, sink with it
slowly beneath the sea.
| SPANISH RAILwAYs.-Hon. John D,
Washburn, Of Worcester, in a letter in
| the Worcester SDy. Describing his trHv.