The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-06-30


board-quarter was completely stove In,
while the hold was nearly full of water
The only comforting facts were that the
wind had fallen, and that the sea was
evidently going down likewise.
Hell do now," said Bob, coming
up. "rve propped him against a spare
sail, and he says he'll be all right pres
entity. He tells me his name is Crossley,
and that he's a rich merchant home
ward-bound to London from the Baltic.
When they took to the boats he ran
down to get some money or something,
and those timbers fell and blocked him
in, and the crew went off without him."
Well, look here, - cried Jim; - this
crafts loaded with timber, so that she's
not likely to sink; and l don't believe
she's leaking either, or the water in her
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 off, did as much
work as both of them together. After
long spell of pumping Bob went to
TRY the well, and returned with the
good news that the water had fallen six
inches.
"Bravor' cried jim; 'we'll pump
her dry in few hours at this rate. for
it's only the after-hold that's been filled.
Let's look bout for something to eat,
and then at it again.
After some search they rummaged
out biscuit chest and a small cask of
water still unhurt by the sea. While
they were eating, faint CLEAN of light
began to show itself in the east.
"Hollo!" cried Bob; 81 thought thiS
was supper, and it turns out to be
breakfast Look alive, mates; the sun'l
be on deck soon, and he mustn't catch.
us skulking.''
AT it they went again, and by sunrise
the ship was SO much lightened and the
sea so calm that the three WORKOUT
workers thought they might venture
upon nap. When Jim awoke again
the sun was well above the horizon.
"Bob," cried he to his chum, who
opened his eyes at that moment, ''here's
a breeze getting up from the east. Now
if we can only manage to get some sail
upon the old craft, l think we Il 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
in hosting the jib and foretopsail.i
Then Jim went to the helm, while his
crew of one man and q 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 a 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 westerly course, and just
about nightfall our three voyagers saw
the distant coast of England looming
shadow-like along the horizon.
''Thank Godn' said the merchant,
drawing long breath.
"We haven't made such bad voy-
age, after ALL laughed Jim. eve
went out in 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! If
we get any salvage for bringing this
craft into port Well give it to him.
Never mind the boat, my boy ,s-
joined Crossley; 'srI 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?"
james Cook" answered the boy.
"rll remember it," said Crossley;
"and I'm much mistaken if all England
doesn't some day remember it too"
He spoke truly. Thirty years later
that barefooted boy was the greatest
seaman and explorer in Britain, and
Mr.. Crossley, then white-haired,
wrinkled old man of seventy-fve, was
never tired of telling his friends about
the strange voyage that he had once
made in a water-logged vessel with Cap
tain Cook.-DaUid Her, IN Ha1pe,'s
Young People.