The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1884-05-01


to bend on a clOsc-reefed mainseil.
Under the lead of the mate the new
sail was broken out, reefed and bent
on. The work was pushed forward with
energy, and, in spite of every difficulty,
il was hoisted in safety.
And now there began the real strug-
gle, fight for life. the clutching of
drowning man at a straw. The IN ate,
taking the lee wheel and assisting the
skipper to turn it, inquired what the
shippers intentions were
"Weu, Mr.. James, we are going for
the beach, andiL expect this is the last
of the old Swallow. Ughi there is
tremendous big billOw racing after us.
How she does twist-and turn-it is as
much as / can do to keep her before
them. There! just see that surge spin
by US. As ] I've, there Is a good mile
from crest to crest
but, Captain, YOU surely don't
mean TO beach us in this seaway; there
viii not be a fragment left of the Swal-
low in three minutes after she takes the
sand.
Il know it, boy. know it; but there
ism much choice left me. We might
as well die on the beach as choke like so
many rats. AMI besides some of US
may get ashore. The beach can't be
great distance off, according to my cal
culation. Go into the main-rigging,
some one, and keep a lookout. The
first thing sighted is n large steamer,
head on to sea, and sending her bows
under at every plunge. Every wave
enve,oped her to her guards. Stagger-
ing up to a sea she would lift herself
third out, her paddle wheels furiously
revolving, and then she would bury
herself with a fearful pitch.
Rolling and climbing and tossing
vii lily the Swallow fed from the wrath
of the tempest. Presently another
steamer is sighted She, too, lies head
on, Il signal in her fore-rigging
On the top of big wave the mate
catches n glimpse of The steamer. The
next moment She was hid in the surgcs.
Calling a man to take his place, he
goes into the main-rigging. As he
mounts up his practiced eyes catch the
outline of light house some five or six
points on the starboard bow Looking
again at the steamer, dead ahead, he
sees that she almost disappears un,
der the surgeS at every plunge. Her
sails. boats, and all her head-gear are
washed away. Well aft he sees a
crowd of people. As he looks the
American flag, union down, is run up
to her peak
The mate comes down and reports
Hattaras Inlet is dead ahead, and that
the steamer Ella, a Charleston packet,
was ahead and breaking up fast.
AYE, aye, the beach will DE lined
with them before the sun is up. [ tell
you, Mr. James, if it was not for these
ugly pillows I'd make a try of the in
let; let US see
by gracious, Captain, the tide"
and the mate paused to make a mental
calculation, 1.-The tide is fU on the bar
to-day, the water heaped away up. 1t
will be risky, that I will admit, but any
port in n storm. With brand new
new main-sail on her, it is a deal better
than the beach with a surf on it at least
forty feet high
''Well," and the skipper gave an I'M
easy glance behind at the heaped-up
waves, ''well, Mr.. James, here goes for
the inlet. 1t is the providence of the
Almighty that it is TO leeward. How
about the steamer"
Mr.. James again mounted the rig
ging. The steamer had rugged a black
tarpaulin between her main-rigging
with white spots on it Calling for the
glass, which was handed to him, he
levelcd it and read:
I'VE are breaking up. Captain and
mate lost overheard. Stand by us
He shut the glass with a snap and
swung himself out of the rigging.
Captain, " spoke the mate when he
reached the wheel, lit is the Ella sure
enough. They report Captain and
mate lost, probably swept overheard,
| if you are going TO try the inlet, what S
to hinder the steamer? Her draft S
4 about the same as the Swallows"
| But who is to pilot her over?"
/ ''If you run by close aboard, I'll
manage to get to her. You can spare
me now; let me try it. "
but if she should stick?''
Then I'll force her up on the swash.
! Those passengers have no choice what
ever if she goes ashore in the night
\ time There is a chance now. slim
one, TN allow; but they ought to have
/ the benefit of it. Some one on board
! of her is evidently doing all he can to
stave off the supreme moment, but
/ that's only a question of time; let me
\ try it, Captain!'
''Well, Mr.. James, there is the beach
st last. If you are going, str yourself;
we will be alongside presently. Good
| luck to you, my boy"
The mate presently appeared, stripped
| to his trowsers. He held in his hand a
\ light lead attached TO a twentv-fathon
/ lead line. He stood on the starboard
/ quarter with the line held up to the
view of the steamer Just ahead.
Riding up the broad waves and set
| Ting down into the cavern of the deep,
on came the schooner, reeling and
| swaying like adrunken man. Then, on
! the crest of an immense billOw, she
ranged past. As she hurried by the
| steamer rolled wildly toward her, and
/ the mate launches the lead with un-
erring aim. Deity passing the line
about him, he dropped himself over
! board.
Before he came to the surface another
wave passed over him and chased the
/ schooner half n mile. But ready hands
on board the steamer had secured the
! line and were hauling in. Then a pro
! lOnged cheer announced to the schOOn-
/ er at the mate reached the steamer.
/ A rough pea acket was offered him
as he picked his way to the bridge
/ through the frightened and pale-faced
passengers. AT the wheel the engineer
/ informed him that the water was gain
/ inc fast; that IN the night a sea had
/ swept the deck and washed the Cap
/ tain, mate and some of the hands over
/ board; that he had taken charge and
| done the best he could; that if ANYTHING
happened to the engine she was sure to
/ 60 ashore.
The mate explained that he knew the
way in over the bar and through The in
1 let, and had come 10 help them; that il
anything was to be attempted he was to
have a good head of steam and q good
hand in the pilot-house; that he wanted
/ to warn everybody that it was des-
! perate undertaking, and that they must