The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-07-27
Selfrf Shrr.


"Caught at last, Jack The old craft 8
bound to drive ashore in half an hour,
and then there'll be wet jackets for US
all!"
AYE, aye, Bill, my boy and it jist
sarves US right for shippin' aboard ten
gun brig. They always has bad luck,
they has!.
So muttered the two veteran sailors as
the staunch little cruiser whirled onward
like a feather by wind and sea, drifted
nearer and nearer 10 the huge black cliffs
which, through binding spray and deep
ening storm, loomed out palmer and
palmer upon the lee bow. The Seabird
had made her last voyage All her boats
had been stove in; masts and riggings
had long since been tore away by the fu-
rious gale, or hacked off by the crew
themselves; and the cruel rocks upon
which the helpless vessel was driving
headlong would have crushed the tim
bers Of the strongest seventy four like
an egg.sbell.
But, with death gaping for them every
moment. not q man fllnched. The cap
tain gave his orders and the crew obeyed
them as coolly as if running into port Or
a fine summer morning. But the end
came at last. One mighty shock which
threw every man off his feet, terrible
crash, giddy rebound, and then the
doomed brig settled right down upon
sunken reef, With the tearing, grinding
noise which no one who has once heard
it can easily forget.
"She'll move no more now, till she
breaks up altogether" said the captain
quietly, $50 we must just think of saving
ourselves. ANY chance of line from
the shore, Mr.. Rogers2 You know this
coast we'll"
"None, sir, I'm afraid" answered the
frat officer, who was standing near him.
There's neither rocket or life.bost within
several miles, and no boat could come
out In the teeth of this sea-"
At that moment red light blazed up
from the cliff overhead, and the whole
scene started into view at onoe. The
great wall of black rock, with the sea-
birds tapping and shrieking around it;
the narrow strip of beach below, crowd.
ed with anxious watchers; the quaint lit,
tie fishing village, with it's rude huts built
of driftwood and broken stones: the
stranded ship and her crew, every face
and every rope standing out distinct in
the light of the beacon; and all around
the tossing waves which, ,reddened by that
unearthly glare, seemed to cast up
spray Of fire against the gloomy sky. 1t
was plain that the vessel must break up
before very long. The captain looked
toward the shore for moment, and then
turned to his men. my lads" cried he,
sthere's one chance for Us yet. They
can't get boat to US, but We may get a
| line to them, for the tides setting strong
ly in-shore. Twenty pounds to the man
who will swim ashore with airope!"
The offer sounded like bitter mock
cry, Tor to face that sea appeared moth
Il ing less than certain death. The words
we're hardly spoken, however, when a
man stepped forward and touched his
wet forelock to the captain, who stared
as he recognized him. And well be
might; for this man Was the "black
sheep" of the whole crew, and had been
brought up for punishment (not for the
first time) few days before.
"What, you, Thompson" - Is
"Aye it's me your honor" answered
the man with grim smile as he knotted
the rope around his waist. Eyer, honor
told, only t'other day, as was dis
grace to the ship, so mayhap the old
craftll be we'll rid of me-"
For a moment the captains iron face
worked as no one had ever seen it yet
and then, without word, he held ou'
his hand. The other grasped it for al
instans in grip like smiths vice, ant
then, watching his opportunity, plunged
Into the roaring sea. Then came a Ions
and terrible pause. Every man on boarC
held bis breath, while straining his eye
Into the boiling wbirl of foam below
Once, q few of the s'-sighte(
among them thought they caught sigh
of the sailors black head in the midst o
the white, seethiDg breakers; hut tn
next moment a mountain wave rolled IL
and covered all. Had the daring swim
mer succeeded. or had he perished in th
attempt? No one could say.
There are very few things more diff
> cult. or requiring more skill and Judge
ment, than to carry rope ashore in I
stormy sea. To landsman it may seen
merely question Of breasting the wave
between one point and another, but sncl
is by no means the case. To avoid
| mama or faka aduantana Of IL. To knns