, 1880-05-03

threatening us all the time. Yet ]
made the man at the wheel give her all
the starbeard helm she would possibly
bear. I said nothing to the man at the
wheel of the new danger that threatened
us, but from the locks of the mate and
myself they guessed it and when, at
length, we were obliged to confess the
whole they were perfectly horror
stricken. yet they we're prompt to duty
and shortly they seemed resigned to
their fate-that is, they were more
calm than they we're before the new
danger was mado known to them,
though it may have been only the calm
ness of despair
Toward morning the nature of the
wind seemed to change; it was a
change which l cannot describe, yet
that indescribable something was there
which told us the gale could not last
much longer. It was in the tempera-
ture, in tho smell of the wind. 1t
seemed softer, and had not so much
penetration. Sut the Joy of this dis
covery was quickly daEat, e1. just as
the day was about to break. there same
uRJA Jul CttlS bOuAl vi
besides wind At length the light of
day came, and we saw the scene we had
been SO fearfully dreading Right ahead
at the distance of not more than ten
miles, was the shore of St. Elmo It
was mass of bold, sea- washed rocks
which was presented to us. and q cry OF
horror went up from my men.
The wind was still powerful, and we
were being hurled on at a fearful rate
towards the rocks. What could be
done? Instinctively cast Fay eyes to-
wards my mate, and l saw that he Was
very pale. 1 knew that my own face
must be pale. too. But [ c-uld not
stand still. went to my cabin and got
my glass, and by the time returned it
was light enough to see the shore dis
tinctly. Iraised my glass, and when l
had carefully surveyed the shore ahead /,
a CLEAN of hope shot through my soul.
O. MIR. uanter," I said, that is the
extreme western point of the island.
That point to the left is the westerly
cape of St. Elmo. Clear say beyond l
can see the top of the next island"
"Well ?" said my mate, interroga-
lively.
Il am sure if you would clear that
point We should be safe" 1 added.
Ii We could clear it, said Hunter.
" But that is impossible"
l hesitatcd slngle moment, and then
my mind was made up.
"Boys," I cried, speaking loud
enough to be heard above the roar of
the tempest, if we run ashore upon
those rocks We are dead men, just as
sure as fate no power can save a soul
of us. But if we can clear that point
We may be saved. By the help OF God
shall make the trial"
To clear that point you will have to
put the ships head due west, certainly"
said Hunter.
Il know it," was my reply.
"And she cannot be put there" he
said. She could not live moment
with her broa'iside thus exposed"
q shall try it r was my answer !;
and thereupon I ordered the fore and
main top men to go aloft and loose the
main topsail. 1t Was already close
reefed. Every movement was carefully
performed. l had the helm put a star
board as far as would ans swer, and then
the lee sheet was hauled home. Next
the weather Glow CANA home, and we
got the yard hoisted clear of the cap in
safety. The storm mIzzen ,4ast was set,
and | soon found that the fore staysail
would be of benefit if it would hold.
The mate said l was mad. Ipointed to
tbs rocks and asked him if he would
like to run in there. | acknowledged
that my present course would be mad
ness if there was any other plan within
the bounds of possibility.
The ship was now heading due west,
and she was going through the water
fast. Every hatch was battened, and
we were in for it. I prayed then, and
I saw others pray, for there was need of
it. [ had four stout men laahed at the
wheel, for they could not have stood
without. I stood by the mizzen-mast
and hung on upon the pin-rack. Six
times did 1 see the lee main yard arm
dip into the water, and yet the ship
did not go over We were literally un-
der water two thirds of the time, and
yet we did not founder. The masts
groaned and creaked in their steppings
and chocks the sheets strained and
vibrated like the strings OF viol the
canvas swelled out till each particular
thread seemed ready to snap, and the
old ship heeled over until her yards
almost lay in the water. OF course the
men could no longer work at the pumps
they could only hang on upon what
ever came in their way, and wait and
pray. Had it now been necessary to pull
a rope it could not have been done, for
had any man let go his hold, he would
surely have gone overheard.
On We dasned-on-; and yet the
ship was upon her keep. At lenghth
the point we would clear was under our
lee bow. 1t was surely not over a
cable length distant. There might be
xr-h1 al,