The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-08-31

came aut from tie west,rd. Itsrew darL
but no wind had come. About ten o'clock
those who were on deck were startled
by a sudden darkening of the stars, and
they saw q dark black cloud rolling I'm
from the southwark. 1t soon hung over
the ship like a black pail, and the men
began TO be frightened The captain was
called, but before he came ON deck there
came a crash as though the very heay-
ems had been rent in sunder. The old
ship trembled in every joint, and a huge
ball Of fire rolled down the mainmast,
Another, and another crashing of the
lightning came, and at length the cleo.
trio light began to play about the ship in
wild. fantastic streams.
Of the men. See where it's head is
shivered."
All eyes We're turned to the spot, but
by the next wild flash the men could see
Thai dangerous havoc had been made
with the main mast. The cap was shiy-
cred, the starboard cheek was nearly
stripped off, and the trestle-trees were
%quiyering, OF course the heavy ton.
mast was only held in it's place by the
dubious trestle-trees, and the main ton
threatened every moment to come crash.
ing upon the deck, with the long top
mast and op-gallant-mast in its company,
Such a catastrophe would surely prove
fatal to the ship, and all knew it.
this, another danger arose. The low,
rambling sound that had been growing
in the southwark had escaped the notice
of the crew, and ere they knew it, the
rushing, bowling wind was upon them.
The ship leaped like a frightened stag
before the gale. The mate cut the main.
top sheets, and the sail was snapped in,
to ribbons. The foretop sail was clewed
up, and the shin was got before the
wind.
The tightening cloud was swept away.
and it was dark as Erebus. The wind
howled fearfully, but there was one
sound more fearful than that. It was
creaking of the shattered trestle trees,
as the lid of the topmast bore down up
on them.
20, GodW calculated Captain Jacobs,
IF the trestle trees give way we are
lost! Hark! Hear them labor,m
Away up aloft, in the impenetrable
darkness, stood the giant topmast,a and
all felt it could not stand there long.
The men crowded aft, and with pain
fully beating hearts they heard the mast
A0ooAs 49, IL VIC Jul UIlLS tllC SUI
broadside to-" said the mate, "the
weather rigging might be cut, and the
mast might go overheard"
'True-true," returned the captain,
"but who shall 90 aloft and do the job?
There would be no foothold in the top,
for that will go witha crash. The trestls-
trees are already shatte red"
IF you will port the helm, / will
make the trial." cried a clear, strong
voice, which Was at once recognized as
Caleb Bakers.
ut will be sure DEATH" said Jacobs.
Then let it be So" returned Caleb.
IF | succeed the rest of You may he
saved; but now we are in danger. Port
the helm, and l will 60"
Caleb took the < from the mizzen
darkness, as he moved toward the star
board rigging. The helm was put a-port
aud the ship gradually gave her star
board side to the gale. Soon the blow
of an Xxx was heard-then another-and
another. The ship heaved heavily over
then cracking-and then came the
crash. The heavy top-mast had gone
clean over the side! Fragments Of the
treetles and cross-trees came rafting up
on the deck, but all eyes were strained
painfully upon the masthead. The
dim outline of the heroic man could be
seen safely hanging by the mizzen top
mast stay!
The ship was once more got before
the wind, and ere long Baker came
safely to the deck. He staggered aft to
the pinnacle, and there he sank faintins
and bruised upon the deck; but he was
quickly conveyed to the cabin, and his
wants were all met.
Calah'S bry1iooa woro mona nf tI,o,,, bo3
and in a few days he was again at his
duty. The men eyed him anxiously,
and they seemed uneasy as they met
his smiles. The captain, too, changed
color when he met the kind, noble look
of the young man, but he soon over
came the false pride that actuated him,
and, stepping to the noble fello VS. side,
he took him by the hand.
Caleb said he, eff have done
wrong | freely ask you to forgive e. +
have called you a coward, but | did not
know you"
Think no more of t,"said Caleb with
n beaming eye. u once promised to
one whom I loved better than life-my
mother-that I would never do a
deed of which l might afterward be
ashamed"
Bunkton pressed forward. "Caleb,"
he said, selling the hand of the young
man in his hard fist, s.you must forgive
me for what's passed. Well be friends
after this"
"Bless you, Bunkton, and friends we
will be" returned Caleb.
EYES," added Bunkton, "an' if you
won't fight for yourself, I'll fight
for you, if you ever stand in need OF
it."
II tell you, my men, - said the captain
there's certainly two kinds of courage;
and, after all, 1 don't know but that Ca
leb bakers kind is the best. It takes q
stronger and bigger heart to hold it, at
all events"