The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-08-04

hoard-ousxter was completely stove M
while the hold was nearly fuii OF WAL. -
The only comforting facts were tns' 10, sas
lwind had fallen, and that the seq ""'
evidently going down likewise.
"He'll do now" said Bob, comln
up. 1--WE propped him against 2 spare
sail. and he says he'll be all right pres
emily. He tells me his name is Crossiey'
and that he's q rich merchant nome
.ward-bound to London from the baitic.
When they took to the boats ne ran
down to ret some money or something
and those timbers fell and blocked nm
IN. and the crew went off without him.
"Well. look here. cried Jim; . this
craft 5 loaded with timber, so that she
not likely to sink; and don't believe
she's leaking either, or the water IN nerl
would be deal higher Let's try the
pumps and see.
To work they went, and were soon
Joined by Mr.. Crossley, who, now that
his faintness had worn of, did as much
work as both of them together. After
long spell Of pumping Bob went to
"try the well, I" and returned with the
good news that the water had fallen SIX
inches.
I" Bravo!' cried Jim; "we'n pump
her dry in few hours at this rate, Tor
it's only the after-hold that's been filed. ;
Let's look about for something to cat,
and then at it again.
After some search they rummaged'
out 8 biscuit chest and small cask OF
water still unhurt by the sea. While
they were eating, faint CLEAN OF light
began to show itself in the east.
aHollo!' cried Bob; II thought this
was supper, and it turns out to pc
breakfast Look alive, mates; the sun Il
be on deck soon, and he mustn't catch
us skulking.'
At il they went again, and by sunrise
the ship was SO much lightened and the
sea SO calm that the three worn-out'
workers thought they might venture
upon nap. When Jim awoke again
the sun was well above the horizon.
Boil" cried he to his chum, who,
opened his eyes at that moment, ''here's
q breeze getting up from theea Now
If we can only manage to get some sail.
upon the old craft, think we II find our
way home yet
Bob and Mr.. Crossley were on their
feet in a twinkling, and the three set
to work to make sail. The foremost
and jib-boom being still sound, they
succeeded not without some difficulty
lin hosting the lib and foretopsail.l
Then Jim went to the helm, while his
crew Of one man and boy stood
ready to obey his orders. For even in
this first boyish adventure of one who
afterward became so famous he seemed
already to command and be obeyed quite
as matter of course.
The breeze freshened, and the light,
ened ship went pretty rapidly through
the water. All that day she ran before
the wind on q westerly course, and just
about nightfall our three voyagcrs saw,
the distant coast Of England looming
shadow-like along the horizon.
ssThank Gods said the merchant,
drawing long breath.
I'VE haven't made such a bad voy-
age, after ALL" laughed Jim. 1--WE
went out in q boat, and we're coming
back in ship. Pm sorry for poor old
Sam, though, losing his boat, because
he was SO kind as to lend it to us! II
we get any salvage for bringing this
craft into port we'll give it to him.
Never mind tie boat, my boy" re-.
joined Crossley; "rll make that good;
and you may rely upon some salvage
for saving my life. whether you get any
for the ship or not. By-the-bye. what's
your name?''
flames Cook answered the boy.
"Ill remember it, said Crossley;
" and I'm much mistaken if all England
doesn't some day remember IL fOo.u