The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-02-09

I
threw himself carelessly down on the cush-
iors In the stern, TO gaze vacantly into the
water below. 1t was Just the place and hour
for contemplation. The gentle rocking of
the boat, with the now incoming waves and
the whisperings Of newborn breeze, all
seemed to lull the strivings his heart.
Somehow this same gentle, subtle breeze
seemed to arouse a new impulse within
him.
"I'll have a row." said Will, but on
looking round no oars could be found. For
moment he hesitated, as his eyes fell upon
the sail. ave been out enough with Frank
! to be able to manage sail in such water as
this"
The sail was quickely hoisted, and seated
at the helm, the Nancy was pushed by Will
out into the great stretch Of water. Her
great white wing met the breeze in a manner
TO delight the Captain, who laughed to see
the dancing spray as it glided so swiftly
over the water.
Mile after mile was thus hurried by, the
wind never once losing its strength or the
Nancy her gentle scorn of the little white
wavelets that kissed her face.
On such day as this, and before such a
wind, a child could have safely handled a
boat.
This was Denbeigh's first attempt at man
aging a sail, but he had been out with Frank
time and again. His QUICK eye had ac-
customed itself in these trips to many little
points of sailing that now served him we'll;
otherwise he was a new hand at the trade of
Jack Tar
AS he leaned back on the cushions, watch
ing the movements of the boat. his con-
science, though not for the first time that
day, gave him a little accusing prick. He
knew how his mother dreaded the water,
and at this very moment she supposed him
at the mills, in response to her last request.
That her trust in him was great and perfect
he well knew, and this made his present C.
cupatIon only the more distasteful
just the wayl" he said testify, and at
the same time putting the boat ON the home
ward tack. There is always something to
spoil my pleasureI'
Just then the boat, beating against the
wind, forced her starboard side close to the
surface, and shipped lot of water. This
was not observed BY Will without some
misgiving. He had witnessed this before
IA hundred times, when out with Frank but
seeing and doing he found to be two different
things.
Steeling himself with fresh courage, he
tackled again, this time lying close to the
wind. This gave him perceptible advan-
tage, and the Nancy glided along, but not
with the same speed as she had come
Then for the first time he discovered that
the sun was obscured by an ill-omened haze,
and that the wind was increased in strength.
In the east, great frowning wall of heavy
black clouds was looming up. For amoment
Will lost all hope. for he knew this to be
coming storm. Not ship was in sight, and
the shore was miles away.
mot a moment is to be lostl" he cried
Turning his head for an instant to give a
backward glance at the track he had Just
quilted. he discerned in the distance a long,
blue ridge, that assured his well-trained eye
to be an island. For a moment he was lost
in thought, then his eyes turned to the on
coming clouds.
"Either shore is not less than three miles
distant" he said, land to reach them against
such wind would bring me right in the
teeth of the storm. The island is right with
the wind, and not more than five or six
miles away. Yes, the islands my only hope
With skill far beyond one of his little
experience, the boat was put to
the wind. For moment the sail tapped
against its sides, then swelled out. The frail
shell shivered and shook like wet dog, and
seemed to be lifted ont other native element;
then she plunged her shapely neck deep into
the water and sped away.
The clouds now were meeting overhead,
but as yet no rain had fallen. Finally night
and the most intense darkness buried every
thing in black oblivion.
"Oh, for one look at all the people at
homel" cried VIII, over and over again.
The wind grew more fierce and bowling;
the sea grew higher than before, and
the Nancy, now at her worst, was ship
ping water at a fearful rate. The boats
keel lay high above the water, for it was
useless in the teeth of such hurricane to
try to lower the sail
Securing the long rope on his arm, Will
sat awaiting his fate, for death stared him
grimly in the face. With the report of
cannon the sail ut that moment was torn
into ribbons-that lent new force to the
terrible cries Of the storm, now in. all its
fury.
The boat righted for moment only
a huge seething wave, more powerful than
its fellows, caught it just amidships, and
then a heavy blow struck the boy on the
head, the cold water ingulied its victim, and
all was silent.
When consciousness returned-for the
falling wood had dealt him heavy blow
Will knew that he was being dragged
through the water at rapid rate.
The rope that he had been thoughtful
enough to secure to his arm had been the
means of rescuing him from instant
death, as it was still fastened to the boat,
that now, keel upward was being washed
along.
VIII was good swimmer, however Gas
every boy should be who lives near any
stream of waterl. and soon gained the boat.
After several efJrts ne was successful in
reaching the back of the slippery hull,
where at least he was safe from the angry
water.
Every limb was stiff and cold with the
long exposure to the elements. His head
was almost bursting with pain, and with a
nameless fear, that almost stopped the quick
beatings of his heart, he took the precaution
to secure the rope more certainly around his
person, and prepared to meet the worst, foI
drowsiness came over him that would not
be shaken off.
As be lay thus, thousand fancies filed
his troubled slumber Amid all the pain and
turmoil he felt the warm imprint of his
mothers parting embrace, and smiled and
whispered to the dying wind the sacred
word:
"Motherl'
Some time after, he was awakened by
L Il. IL l. Il