New-York tribune., 1884-03-02
CHATTER XXXIX.
TIE LAST or TIP srEATHMORF.

This was tho cry |, for one. had been waiting tho
whole blessed night for. and when 1t came ratling
down the hatchway in the hoarsc, coarse voice OF
tho third mate, there was scramble among the
most Of u.s. up bundled Captain jackson and hiS
wife. the Mortimers the Joyces with their children.
snatclcd in theirs and the nurses arms, and Mr.
Thompson Tucker Mr. Thornton took charge of
Mrs OBrien and the second mate OF Mrs. and Miss
Grant, then followed Aunt Damarls, Florence and
|, and the doctor formed the tail OF tho terrified
procession.
They had brought tho maintopsaH to the mast
and the ship was hove 10. over the port bow you
saw the dawn sitting through the night gloom like
light strainiug through oiled paper; 1t frightened
fast tho line OF tho horizon was gradually hove up
as the gathering irradiation tho coil OF it into
tho western darkness, till the whole sur
face of the deep was dull. dimly
cleaning gray, with tho pale heavens rising
off it's far stretches and soaring into stccy tint
over the mastheads, where the morning light was
shooting up to the zenith. There Was wind enough
TO keep the canvas steady. and no moro; the swell
of tho sea had moderated and there was scarce
glimpse of foam upon the asLen fluctuations; and
this was one reason maybe, why that ocean had the
most dcsolato look that ever beheld in the deep
il coldly heaven under the bleak breaking Of light
ia the east and made line, like tho sweep OF
feather dipped IN lndta-ink, against tIc cohlused
gloom of the sky in the west.
One could see the ship plainly enough now and it
was like shock to mark how deep she lay. The
water seemed flush with her covering board. and
every roll of her on the swell that running out
of the northeast hove the rail Of her topgaaut bul
warks TO the surface of the sea- 30 that on the main
deck Won might have washed your face in the ocean
by putting your head at such moments over the
side But | had no leisure for more than swift
glance round They had got tackles on the yard
arm, and wore hOisting tho long-boat out OF the
chocks TO launch her Iiards were stationed at tho
falls Of the quartz and gig, and saw that
Daniel meant to do every thing quickly and at once
He sung out to US to bc good enough to keep to-
cefhcr until tho boats were gSide calling ont to
me; Get the Ladies into the gig when shes brought
TO the gangway, Seymour; then take your place in
her aud the who belong TO your boat will Join
YOU" / looked aft and cried to the fellows who
were stationed at the gig: Which gangWay viii
Vm hiring Ter To- 2" Port ganrway, sir" one Of
them answered The order was then gwen to lower
AWAY the boats: thty dropped into the water smul-
taneously, the men ia them Dimbiy unlocking the
fallbloCks and selZlng Florence and Aunt Damaris
! each 10y the arm called out " shall we go on the
maindcck captanS' "Ay" be answered and for
with tho three of .us went down the poop-ladder
10 the port gangway.
There was no confusion. They had got the long
boat over quickly and quietly, aud were hauling her
10 tho staTbOaTd gangway-bOth gangways being
unshppcd-at which stood half dozen OF the crew
of the StrathmOre 10 prevent any man from enter
ing the boat before tho women W no were TO 20 III
her had taken their places. took notice. even in
that tImo of hurry aud prcoccupation. OF tie palo
and worn appearance Of the poor tweendock people.
both men aud women. most OF whom had stuck to
the deck all night in thir fear of tho ship founder
ing If they went below and 1t would bave moved
mny mans heart TO them there in their poverty,
about TO lose all that they had in tho world-God
knows little enough, yet precious to them as tho
fruits OF pinchng and selfdenying ashore 10 enable
them to make this voyage; mothers hugging Their
infants fathers standing in the midst of Their little
families the Frightening dawn striking cold ana
grav down botwixt the SAILS upon thetr gaunt sor-
rowfnl. terrified faces Oh. my lads shipwreck IL a
fearful thing; how fearful only those who have
undergone il can know.
A couple OF hands brought the gig to the gang
way. two being in her, MI Thornton. from the