The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-06-24
darker hue; then they changed altogether
and hccalna q dark hlun

from thls peautl1ul day, and were engaged
IN merry songs and laughter. The city
gradually faded from sight, and at last was
lost. AS they floatcd smoothly along, the
the scene grew brighter aud more beautiful
along the banks. Here was farmhouse,
with its several outbuildings, all surrounded
by large and shady trees, aud the cattle
peacefully grazing in the fields beyond,
while overhead could be seen flock of
crows cawing continuously as they wheeled
IN circles over the corn-fclds. A forest in
the distance covering the sides of noun
tain, and extending away at last into the
blue and empty mir, while dotting the whole
OF tho ripping surface of the buy could be
seen crafts Of all nations.
Now fishing smack passed under her
DOW, bowling merrily along upon it's course.
A. large schooner was moving slowly up the
bay, towed along by tiny tug. They were
passing through the ''Golden Gate" ono of
natures greatest and grandest freaks. Anon
they were beyond the head of the bay, and
were passing the lighthouse. The land
gradually faded away into long banks of
blue clouds.
AT last they were In the calm Pacific,
with her mild and balmy breezes, her cloud
less skies above the blue waters below.
This CAVITY continued from day to day.
On the morrow they expected to weather
the stormy cape. And night settled down
upon them, leaving all in peace and happi-
ness, with nothing to disturb their culm
slumbers.
The morning broke clear and beautiful,
with not cloud to obscure the blue hcav-
ems. 1t was a warm and lovely day even
the most feeble had venturcd from their
berths to behold this beautiful scene. But
as the day wore On, cloud was seen in the
ofliDg. AT first it was only small
white spot; then another rose, to be fol-
lowed by still another; they seemed TO be
hurrying together until they had combined
into one large and widely. extended mass,
which rolled along, blackening and en-
larging until it covered the whole heav-
ems.
A breeze sprang up, lashing the waves
into frothy foam the white caps were ris-
ing, now sinking. Few remained on deck
to see the storm which threatened.
The waves were tossing and tumblng.
driving the slcet and rain with great vio-
lence against the deck and rigging. The
seq grew more Dostcrous as the night ad-
yanccd. At eight bells the wind was blow
ing hurricane. Tho ship plunged to and
fro, as SHE bravcly breasted the angry
waters. Now, Us she rode upon the crest
OF all enormous wave, hcl stern sank, and
she seemed slipping backward, down-but
as the wave broke under her, she rushed
madly forward into the trough of the sea.
She trcmbled and quivered like some
dumb creature in agony, as the waves broke
over her, deluging her decks, and seeming
about to cngulf her. But she still rode
upon the crest of another.
What was that9 A belle Yes, it sounded
again! BY some chance the tongue of her
watch bell had become unfastcncd, and it
struck her resounding sides with dull and
hollow sound, startling everybody with its
wierd and hollow changing, as the ship
rolled IN the trough of the soa. Dolefully
and sadly it pealed out upon the waters,
with the chilling and almost human words,
"Your Knoll! Your Kncll |" filling the
minds Of the passengers with horror and
dlsmuy.
What was that dull roar9 Was il not the
beat OF the surf2 The man upon the Look
out shouted
Port your helm For your lie, or you
are lost The breakers The brcakersl''
Too latel In another instant her keel
grated the rocks, and with fierce lunge
she struck. She quivered and tremblcd
from bow to stern.
Ihen the panic was fierce and wild;
frightened men, women and children rush
ing madly here and there in their fear,
While above all could be heard the wild roar
and beat of the surf upon rock-bound
shore.
Above the roar and din could be heard
the noble shouts of command.
keep the guns boomingl Men, stand
firm to the boats Let no one of us enter
until the women and children are safe ~
Then did they show their true and noble
hearts. The boats were lowered, but the
sea was 80 wild that they were, one after
the other, instantly swamped, and with
shrieks and groans the poor wretches sank
TO their watcry graves.
The ship was sinking slowly. Her fires
were out-shc had passed the last water
line.
The remaining passengers, aitrighted,
were huddled together upon the upper deck.
The waters had reached them. Some,
Drawer than the others, were trusting them.
selves upon spars and doors--with any
thing, 80 as to reach tho wished-for shore.
they felt the chilling waves gradually creep
Ing under their feet, lungrily reaching up
with their horrid jaws to grasp them, de-
tcrmincd not to be cheated out of their
prey. There were only five lcft-the sea
had claimed the rest. These clung to the
rigging with the tenacity Of despair, and as
large and mighty billow came rolling to
ward thcm, as it reached them and swept
them from their hold upon lts crest, with
last despairing shrek two were swept away
and lost.
Out of the two hundred souls upon this
noble ship, only the mate, lashed to gun,
and the captain and his wife were left. Tho
wind, whistling through the broken masts
and cordage, seemed to play the prelude
to their "W edding March to Heaven"
With last dull boom, the ship sank to its
final resting place.
What was that upon the beach yonder,
half buried in tho sand2 A spar and h,,-
man flgure3 Yes it was that of man. A
woman clung closely t. him. "Twas the
brave commander and his beautiful bride.
Her arms were about his neck, and a sad,
sweet smile uDOn those pale cold lips