Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-21

Def uOW tuo suh Nche tV"hf N''e
ing the clear pale-blue ice-wall into
living. swirling blood, and how, as we
were sucked slowly down-down-the
eyer-steepening side, we saw the whirl-
ing abyss opening right under us and
heard the dull, distant roar rolling up
from the riven sea-bed miles below.
But ali that mas come back upon
nv memcry since. Isaw nothing then
but the great black hull Of the dis
abled Fire King as it drifted swiftly to
the doom we were laboring to escape.
Presently her engines began to work
again. but slowly--ah, Heaven, how
slowly! She could do but little more
now than just hold her own with the
Titan. And so we drifted on and on,
laboring, despairing, praying-praying
aloud some of us, our English shyness
all swept away in the extremity OF
peril; some stricken voiceless with
horror, kneeling, clinging to each other.
praying only with dumb hands and
'tcyes; some uttering wild curses in
stead Of prayers.
II saw it all, heard it all A; but | nei-
Their cursed nor prayed. | had but one
thought-her mot our love, not our
peril-not even her peril-simply her
- And then | saw her.
again the two ships were rapidly
approaching each other, and the end
for both was approaching as rapidly.
Already we hung over the yawning,
believing gulf as on the side Of steep
hill. The chasm now was not a mile In
width. The upper portion of it tow
cred high over our mast-heads. Each
moment the whirling speed grew yisibly
swifter, and the CLASSY decliyity sensi-
bly, sleeper, and the thunderous roar
came up more loudly from the ocean
bed.
"Then the moon rose, cleaning
through the towering wall of water,
and full in the cold, CHASTITY glare
saw her-a pure white figure, kneeling
silently, with white, uplifted hands.
Then suddenly thought flashed
through me, and | prayed-ah how !
prayed.
I'VE were nearing each other every
moment. 4 very little while and the
Fire King would pass right under US
close-striking us probably as she
passed. Oh! how [ prayed that ii
might be s0-that | might reach her
deck and fold my darling once more in
my arms, and go, what matter where p
together.
"And it seemed as though Heaven
heard my prayer. Nearer and nearer
drifted the Fire King. Another minute
and her bows must foul our quarter.
had marked the exact spot for my
spring, and thrown off shoes and coat
in readiness. still praying, praying with
my whole soul.
All, Heaven Too late Even
as | watched her, gathering footing for
my spring, and praying. praying, even
in that moment the ship lost her hold
upon the steepening watery bank and
shOt-down-down
"Ah, Nell. Nell. Nell :"
The hoarse, trembling voice rose tC
a wild cry, then sank and ceased. And
through the gloom came echoing wildly
back the scream Of the hungry sea-gull'
close at hand.
A step came swiftly over the soft
sand, and the hoarse whisper of the old
fisherman gave words to the wild sea
birds cry.
"M'sieu, Via encore un."
But for once there is no answer. and
the hoarse whisper comes again, yet
more hcarsely:
M'sieu ct fois-c'es une dame -
Then there is a cry but it is from
the lips Of Jacques BOnhOmmc, and
the old fisherman passes his arm round
the tall dark figure, dropping motion
less against the rock, and lifts the
weary head to his shoulder.
Enfn :" he murmurs. uncovering
sOlemnly his own grizzled locks, ii
| Ia retrouyee "