Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-10-10
GaIes arro Sketfbfs.
a wAIF FROM THE SEA.
1.-The RESCUE.

ONLY one on board, for, at the best of times.
the steamships plying between Rotterdam
and Lightpool do not depend upon human
cargoes for their freight. and few people
care to cross the German Ocean in COM
pany with oxen, sheep, and pigs. If they
can avoid it. And now the times are so
far from being at their best, that the skip
per Of the Ivan Dunck'' wonders to find
even a single traveller.
Yet. on this bleak and dismal Christmas
morning am here, muflied TO the eyes,
pacing the deck OF the numbering old tub.
as she forges. catle-laden, slowly for
ward on her homeward voyage.
There has been very heavy weather for
a week. Her departure from the Dutch
port has been delayed by it Tor several
DAYS but taking advantage of Temporal
ry lull, the previous forenoon she put to
sea, and was caught in sudden return Of
the gale during the night. but which has
now again abated. as daylight breaks dim
ly through the sullen leaden sky. With
the advance of morning the wind drops
entirely, but the sea still runs very high.
the swell il tremendous, and the streak OF
yellow light which marks the eastern no.
rizon ia often hidden from view by the
mountains Of waterfn the midst OF which
the vessel rolls and labors.
The captain for some time stands alone
on the bridge between the paddle-boxes,
where I suddenly join him, and endeavor
to draw attention to some object think
have deserted upon the wilderness of wa
tiers. point earnestly in the direction OF
the bright light, but the captain. failing to
see it, shrugs his shoulders, and says.
CURLY, You must have good eyes, sir
can't make anything out.
"Nay. my good man." insist why.
there it is again Keep steady lookout
now as point, when we rise the next
time There | can swear ! see a cluster
of something"
well, il is not OF much consequence TO
MS If you do il will only be some stray
spar or bit Of wreckage. or something or
other that has been carried away in the
night Lor' bes you. why lots of things
20 overheard in such gale as that, and
we see the sea strewn with the like at
times"
"But will you not bear up to it and find
out what it is ?"
"a pretty joke that. sir that we should
go out of our course quarter of a mile
and more to pick up "A hen-coop or water
cask."
But, tell you, III swear there's some
thing alive floating yonder. ] could de-
clare almost that just now ] saw an arm
waven'
ALIVE, sir why, what would live out
there It's not a boat and it's not Il raft |
can barely make out what you mean. | do
see speck of something now and then
out alive ~ and the skipper laughed, Its
not much life they'd have in 'em after
such night as we've hadr'
'.Still there might have been wreck,
and it is quite possible, should think,
with such IA gale. Suppose. now, some
fellow creature is clnging for dear life to
spar-suppose. | say. that it is Just pos
sibe--will YOU refuse. for the sake of
half an hour to alter your course on the
chance of saving human lite? Again,
now, rs we rose that time saw it more
plainly. and it is drifting nearer to us :
At least slacken speed. and it will come
across our track in little while"
There is prolonged reluctance to
yield to my wishes A telescope is OBJ
tanned and great deal of scrutinzing
gone through with at every moment which
the rising and falling of the vessel makes
available. A length n hoarse command
or two is given. The vessels course is
slightly altered and her speed slackened.
Then the crews hurry to the bows. and
Chamber up upon the sheep pens and cat
tle-stalls which crowd the deck forward.
More orders from the captain. and some
of the seamen stand by to lower the life
boat. Slowly the speck upon the
waters drifts toward the vessel; slowly
the vessel advances to meet it. Ewes are
strained Ia make it out. a thrill of ex
element runs through even the knot OF
hardy men upon the deck, as each APP
preaching wave lifts them over the inter
mediate distance. and gradually reveals =
human being clinging TO ragged mass
of tangled wreckage.
Speedily he is within few yards of the
steamers bow; n lite-buOy, with running
rope attached. is flung to him, but being
ill-aimed. it falls little short. and signs
are made for him to remain where he is;
but, whether from misunderstanding
them. or from anxiety. fright. or exhaus-
ton. he lets 90 his hold on the spar, and
strikes out to reach the buoy. Then, on a
sudden. he throws up both his arms, and
sinks never TO rise again
Once more, hoarse hurried orders from
the captain, and the boat is lowered, and,
with desperate energy, her sturdy crew
pull toward the spot Too late. alas !,
they reach it; no sign of the unhappy man
appears. row round about the drifting
piece OF wreck as they will. This now.
however, relieved from the weight of HIM
who, but n moment ago, found upon it
safe refuge, has canted over. and so dis
lodged and cast upon the waters dog. that
hitherto unobserved. had likewise found a
restingplace uponit, The poor beast makes
towards the boat, and struggles to get his
torepaws over the gunwale the sailors
pay little heed to him, casting anxious
looks in each direction for the lost man.
Round and round the spot they row, from
time to time holding on to and examining
the piece of wreck. until all hope has to
be given up. No further sign of life APP
pears save the struggling dog. who. still
keeping close to the boat. follows her to
the ships side. where the davit ropes are
being made fast to her. ere she is drawn
once again on 10 the deck, crew and all.
Take in the dog in heavens name
take in the dog shout. as stood look
ing over the bnlwarks upon the boat be-
low. She is lifted foot or more out OF
the water by those who haul away upon
the deck the dog is all but out of reach.
when rising wave carries him lust within