Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-06-19
THE RAVEN OF THE SEA.

The good ship Ant,Uerp was rapidly cleav-
ing the water on her homeward course.
A few days more and she would be anchor
ed safely in Dover harbOr.
The voyage from the Indies had been q
severe one, and the ship and crew looked
badly weather-beaten. She carried only
one passenger, a son Of the vessels owner,
George Cary, a stalwart handsome young
fellow, with cheeks as brown as berry, and
a smile ever stealing from beneath pair OF
twinklihg, blueish eyes:
The hot sun was beating on the shining
white decks, and on the waters the waves
arose. glistened, and fell in playful silvery
numbers. George Cary, shading his eyes
with his hands, was watching long,
dark line of coast to leeward. 1t gave a
sign of land once more. Happy visions
passed quickly through his mind, and how
long he would have remained in enjoyment
of them, it would be impossible to tell, but
his attention was attracted to bird, large
and dark, which had flown suddenly to-
ward the vessel out of the dazzling sunlight,
and had alighted on the deck Of the vessel.
He ran to it, thinking that perhaps in it's
giddy flight it had struck one of the ves-
sel's masts, and being stunned or killed by.
the blow, had fallen to the deck. Some OF
the sailors were there before him, and when
he reached the spot, raven, living and
unconcerned at the presence Of the sailors
or himself was slowly pacing around the
mute admiration as if entranced by its
presence. The approach of the captain
broke the silence. He exclaimed in lusty,
joyful tone: "God is good to us, men; He
has sent us the raven Of the sea-"
The men cheered, and one OF their num-
ber hastily retircd, and after little while
returned With an armful of provisions.
These he thew on deck at the feet OF the
bird. 1t Quickly fastened its long and wide
talloRs ,sh the largest pieces OF meat, ana
picking them up, arose in the air. !hey
glaaced up at it with reverence akin to
awe. George Carey was mystitied, and he,
too, was curiously regarding the birds as
cent, when something touched his shoulder,
and looking around on the instant, he saw
sailor with an uplifted gun, aimed at the
flying bird. 1t was only the work OF
moment, and George struck his gun up
ward with his arm. 1t exploded with
harsh, vindictive roar only to bury its con-
tents in the rigging Of the vessel, and to
throw the sailor to the deck. Above the
noise of the explosion there arose a yell
like the dying shrek of a man, and sent
chill of fear into the hearts of all. The
sailor lying on the deck never uttered a
sound from the time of the shot, and the
raven was fast becoming fading black
spot in the skies.
"Take him below" yelled the captain,
pointing to the PROSTATE sailor.
"God have mercy on us to night"
When they lifted up the man, he was still
senseless, and could give no reason for his
action, and they carried him below decks.
Angry scowls rested upon the faces of the
sailors, and t.. captains brow was dark
and furrowed with thought George did
not wish to interrupt the gloom OF the cap
tain, or to question the affrighted sailors
about the affair, and he attributed their
fears to some superstition regarding the
visit of the raven.
The moon came out in the evening, bright
and cheerful, lighting up the sea and the
heavens with it's pale, steady BEAMS. The
splash of an occasional high wave against
the vessels sides was the only sound which
broke the stiffness of the night.
George retired to his cabin, and soon,
despite the scenes of the day, he fell into an
easy slumber.
Probably it was after midnight, the time
is unknown, when he was awakened by a
terrible crash, as if the vessel had struck a
rock and was rapidly going to pieces. He
sDrang from his bunk, and rushing up to
of the vessel would allow, he saw the men
running in every direction for something
to cling to. The sky was as dark as pitch
spitefui tongues of lightning flashed from
it the thunder roared without ceasng and
the sea was believing in agony, as it's black,
heaving breast swelled and fell with fright
full contortions. AS George reached the
deck, the topmast fell tearing itself apart
from the vessel. He madly clutched 1T, ana
the newt moment he was swept with it out
on the sea. The waters hissed in his ears;
thew suffocated him; they lifted him on
high on their groaning breast; and the next
moment buried him beneath them. Amid
hope and depair, he clung to the mast pray
ing to God to save him. His brain BECAME
on fire demons, he thought, surrounded him
on every side, laughing at his efforts. Fills