Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-09-12
6alfs and sktlfkes.
ADRIFr IN THE RIVER.
fContinuued from YESTERDAY.


marked his captor, as Johnny vainly
kicked and struggled.
All at once there came to the frightened
boys mind the remembrance OF his pow
erful friend Jack, whom he had last seen
on the quarter.
.Jack-O Jack, here. come here 80 he
cried at the top of his voice.
There was scuffling sound on deck
a noise az though calf were tumbling
down the after companion way-and
through the half-darkness appeared the
glowing eyes and indistiHct form of the
great English mastiff.
Well was it for the scoundrel that he
released his hold on Johnny in time for
him to grasp Jacks steel collar with both
hands and hold him back by force and
voice.
Get out of this quick. or he'll tear YOU
to pieces cried Johnny. excitedlv. while
Jack. growing fiercely. tugged at his
young masters restraining grasp. And
as Johnny forcibly though inelegantly re-
presented it afterward to his father. the
man got Johnny heard him scram-
bling over the rail and down the side steps
at an astonishing rate of speed.
II delare ~ Johnny exclaimed, with a
gasp, as he released Jack, who sprang
on the rail and watched the man through
the gathering darkness. "Spose Jack
hadn't been aboard. There is over five
hundred dollars in fathers desk in the
state ROOM Won't | have story for
father when he gets here in the morning,
thought he added, excitedly, as. lighting
lantern, he hung it in the main rigging,
noticing with some surprise as he did so
that the wind was rising and it had begun
to rain.
Hour after hour passed. and still no
Waterman.
Captain Seers had left the message with
Hortonjs clerk, who had failed to deliver
it that was all. And so, wrapped in oil
skins. Johnny paced the wet deck. with
Jack at his side, while all the while the
continually increasing gale piped and
whistled through the rigging.
BY midnight it was blowing harder
than ever. and Johnny began to feel very
uneasy, though he scarcely knew why.
Ascending to the quarter. he steadied
himself by the mizzen rigging and peered
shoreward through the darkness. All at
orce there was a loud twang, and the
stern hawser, which had been as taut as
steel bar, slackened suddenly and fell
with splash into the water. Another
similar noise, and then another and still
another.
Rushing frantically to the top-gallant
forecastle, Johnny saw that the great
ships hawsers hung helpIessly at her
side, while the Texas was swinging rap
idly out into the river, the gale driving
off shore with terrible force.
1t was not personal danger which made
poor Johnny. as he stood half paralyzed
for moment, sry, ''Oh, what can 1
what shall do?"
1t was the remembrance that his fathers
savings for twenty years were invested in
Texas, and Johnny had heard him say
that he ought to keep his share insured.
but he could not well afford it. And
Johnny well knew that a collision with
the vessels anchored in the river, or still
worse, striking the Hawksbill lodges in
the channel, would bring heavy bill of
expense to the Texas owners. Now, af-
ter launching. the great anchor was hung
by the ring stopper at the cat-head, ready
to let go. Johnny, who was launched,
h ad watched the whole operation from
beginning tc end.
1T is all can do" said Johnny aloud
as sudden though flashed through his
mind. The carpenters iron headed maui
lay on the forecastle. Selling it with fast
beating heart. Johnny placed one foot on
the cat-head, and with a strength born of
excitement and despair, struck once. twice
thrice at the great iron trigger. which,
when in position, confines the hauling
part Of the ring stopper.
| There WAS swift rattle of chains, a
tremendous splash, and then followed the
grinding rush and roar of the great chain
cable As it flew through the hawser-hole
from the ranges under the fore-caste
Then came a tautening of the cable, and
10! the Texas was safely riding at anchor
nearly in the middle of the river.
II guess we'll go below and turn in,
Jack" said Johnny. with great yawn
1.-THE ship is all right now," and they
went down.
What did the man mean by saying
that YOU amputated his arm. tatherp''
asked Johnny on the following day. as a
steam-tug was taking the Texas swiftly
down the river toward the ocean.
''IIe was a ringleader. and the worst
man | ever had In crew." was Captain
Seers' answer. as he rested his arm fond
ly on his boys shoulder. ale fired at me
twice, and to save my own life shot him
through the arm, SCATTERING the bone
This ended a mutiny, The wound would
not heal. and if had not cut off his arm
he would have died. He made great
many threats. but had entirely forgotten
that such man lived until heard your
story. BY cutting the hawser. he hoped
to do me great injury, and would have
accomplished it. only my twelve-y ear-olC
son was too quiek-wiited for him."
Now. father" exclaimed johnny
Jack deserves ever so much more prais,
than | do
But don't wonder that Captain Seer.
is proud of his boy Do you ?-Harper'!
Young People.