Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-04-17

OIu as ne was, seen anytnlnR llke III. i
was surely one of those diabolical hur.
rieanes mentioned by those who have
voyaged in southern seas one of those
frightful cyclones that surround one
with circle of furious winds had
made a mistake as to the ocean and
had fallen upon the wrong waters. Ev-
cry half hour the wind shifted and the
mad bark, turning about, shot off in an
unknown direction through whirlpools
of waves as high as houses. How was
it that it had not foundered twenty
times It's ribs must be soldlv bolt
ed StoutlY decked as it was, it rolled
from wave to wave, plunging, then lis
| ing as if by miracle, shaken, tossed,
dashed, speeding along constantly at II
fearful rate.
Where was it going now That,
forsooth, the thee sailors would have
found it very di difficult to say. The
night had come on-au inky night
and they couldn't see sixty feet in front
of them. For an instant they had per-
ceived the Belle-Isle lighthouse. Now
they saw nothing save the horror Of
the darkness, heard nothing but the
sinister hOwls of the wind as it tore its
way through the cordage.
"Masi err" SAID Pierre, suddenly "the
watch light is out ~
"Try to relight it below. and be care
full of the fire." answered Pere Lam
dure. "But, no." added he, taking a
second thought Il will do it myself" j"
And quitting the mast, to which he
had been clinging, the aged sailor took
two steps toward the hatchway. Just
at that moment the sea swept the deck.
A cry burst forth. The deck was emp
ty.
"Malheur - cried Pierre, ''the mas
ter is overheard !"
"He is done for - said Jean cling
ing to the tller.
The two men leaned over the rail
searching the darkness with their di-
lated eyes. They saw nothing.
"Tonnerre 7" resumed Pierre, "what
will Marie say ?"
1.-THE chances are that We shall new
er know ~ replied Jean.
"Why ?"
Because we also will be drown
ed"
do you think So 20
''It looks like ii u
"But we do not know"
"I know. At all events l have an
idea
"What is it ?''
"That if tie smack should escape it
should take only one of us back to
land"
why ?''
because of Marie"
'You are mad, Jean !"
II am not. We are one to many
and you know it. The oeclsion is
good. If you are not coward we will
profit by il.
GLOW ?'
Let one of US follow Pere Ian
dure."
(which ?'
Let's leave that to Fate, to the first
sea shipped. If its starboard, it's you.
If it is to larboard, it's me-" Will
that work.
1t will"
The two men were silent. A min-
ute elapsed as long as a century.
The tempest seemed to have abated
trife. The waves came less swiftly.
AT last one Of them swept the deck.
"Larboard !" cried Jean. It's
me -
lie stood nailed to his place, silent.
Then he resumed "You are in luck.
Besides the sea is growing calm. You
are likely to see Marie again ~ BE
paused once more for an instant.
You have too much luck - cried
he at last in a choking voice. sudden
ly he stood erect and walked toward
the hatchway.
"Where are you going ?" demanded
Pierre.
"Wliere 1 please, " replied Jean in
tone of brutal rage. you will give
me five minutes grace, l hope. "
He opened the hatchway and went
down. Pierre remained above in the
darkness, his visage scourged by the
foam.
When five minutes had elapsed Jean
returned to the deck. He placed his
back to the mast and seemed to be
! waiting for something.
Pierre said to him "Jean, you are
mad. You are surely not going to
cast yourself into the sea ?"
"Why not," answered Jean. "Have
I not lost 20
IL release you. Remain on board !"
At that moment Pierre listened.
"What is going on below 2" resumed
! he t'TS the grnac< on firn 2'3