The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-04-24

ing the ship all aback, and throwing
hor on her beam euds, while the m an
ut the wheel was thrown aside as if
he had been II feather. The men.
with the mate, were hurled into the
lee scuppers, up to their waists ir
water. aud for moments did net
know whether the old craft was sink
ing or not.
"As quickly as possible I sprang
for tho wheel, with the iDteution of
putting it hard up, but the bowling
of the gale, the binding. cutting
showers Of the rain and salt spray.
and the horrible darkness, prevented
me from working rapidly.
with crash that made me shiv
err the mizzen mast went over the
side the main.topmast had been
snapped short off, aud was pounding
abont aloft,bn it all tended to right
the old Panther, who as she fell of
before the wind sped on the wings Of
the gale at n tremendous rate We
soon cut loose from the wreck Of the
epars pounding alongside, but it took
,s close Oh to daylight before the
Panthor's deck was put to rights.
IL should have menti iuel to you.
reighbors, that among my stores in
the hold was few casks of fine
French brandy, which intended
for the better class Of tho natives
They paid liberally for it, aul it
formed no snail portion Of the fit
out Of South Sea trader
1T was Just in the gray of dawn
rs ordered the mate to hoist one
out Of the Inlin batch, aud 81 have
it in the cabin 1t was a difficult
task and somewhat risky, tho ship
MAS rolling 40 he .vily. but manage
ed it, and all hands we're called aft to
splice the main brace
The last man had fled ont OF the
cabin, and ! WAS on the point Of ask d.
ing the mate to join me in stiff
glass, when sharp cry OF caused mo
tn hurry on deck tJ ascertain the
cause.
II found the mon clustering Aft In
y body, while mt their haa stoo the
carpenter with soun ling rod and
line in his hand Terror aud dis
'ray were plainly discornble in the
couniennnees OF the men, and the
caise was bnt too apparent.
tits no use strng Cling, sir, eX-
claimed the cirpentcr, who by the
Any, hailed from New Foundland
Fate is against rs, an the ship is
sinking There is six feet of W ter
IA the hold. We are bound to Dlvy
Iones locker, and we may ns well
dic happy. a short lifo, aad mer-
ry ono Eh. boys
Aud tho man turned to The crew,
who in hoarse roar echoed the ras..
calls sentiment.
We'll, neighbors, / fslt that the
situation WAS II desperate one. ani
upon my tirnness depsndcl the
lives OF all on board What woull
oot have given ut that moment to
nave hal pistol or a weap IN cf any
kind in my possession, bnt it was too
late to cili upon the steward. The
mon, their eyes glaring with II terri
ble excitement, were crowdlnS upon
me for the pnrpose Of gaining access
TO the cabin, where tho internal bar =
rel of brandy held forth allur.nents
which ronse thsr worst ptsslons.
"SnaichinS upa cipstan bar which
had been washed from it's rack,
cleared space about mo. In lang.
uage sharp, and to the poiut, | ex,
horted them TO be men, aud not
give up tho struggle while hops last
cd. | ordered them to man the
pumps to test the strength of tho
leak. and they wavered, undecided
which course to follow.
"rhe sea was rolling after us with
undiminished fairy, but the gale had
lulled, the heavy clouds had broken
assuuder the bright cheering rays Of
the morning sun pouring down with
an inspiring vig,r. rhe mist rapid
ly dispelled, anialoud jpyous shout
from forward. in which [ recognized
the mates voice, proclaimed that
land was In sight.
"'Do you hear that, boys, Ian in
sight, and we are running on lee
shore with this sinking hulk. Houray
for the bran ly and d-n the I'd ls.
The carpenter waved his blnl aluft.
l felt his strong hani claspius my
throat as | swung my weapon about
me, A rush, a confused roar, "A
sharp sensation Of pain. and | re
memhered no m ,re Of the atf,r.
"Wnen Iagain rogaind my senses,
it was with n consciousness oi dull
pain in my head,aui raising my h an |
| found that it had been b,nd,ged
my eyes too felt weak but although
my state room was dark, mIl, ont
the form of my mate seated besil
ne There was no motion TO the
ship, the snrgiug of the gale through
the tophamper had died away, aud
u strange, aud may say opp,es-
slve silence, reigned throughout the
ship.
"'well, sir, how do you fiad your
self Z aud Jack Gregory bent ove,
mo as tender ~ u woman coild have
duno.
"a little pain, sir, aud somewha'
weak, l replied, as duh glimner
ing OF what had occurred iawned
upon me, 'lbut tell me, Mr.. Gregg,
how fares the ship How mnch lsny