National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-16

ines oil clear water, anu nt the same time
give due attention TO the breaking swells
that rolled shoreward with immense
power, But the boys practicod eye saw by
the differing waves and constantly varying
HUGS, green and dark green, where the
water was shallow and where IL was perhaps
a hundred fathoms down, just where TO 60.
The sea quickly became very rough, clouds
Of mist and three-minute showers swept by,
sometimes almost hiding us for the time,
and the boom OF the surf came like signal
guns over the sea. In spite OF every care
In bounding over the crested waves, sheets
OF salty spray washed the deck, compelling
as to close the hatchway excepting space
to stand in, and take frequent dashes with
such equaninity as we could command.
The unexpected is always happening, and
so IL came about this time. The mast was
not well placed, and there was room be-
tween IL and the deck to admit considera-
bic water whenever a big wave broke over
the bow, which was taking place with con.
siderable regularity. Already II was be-
ginning to show in dlsagreeable quantity
inside, where there was a large and sufficient
quantity Of iron ballast Thewind increased
10 gale and the boat attained an immense
speed, while perhaps one.third OF the little
deck was at times submerged as VIC plowed
the turbulent brine It was impractlcable
under the circumstances to attempt to reef
or bail there was nothing TO do but to trim
the boat as best we could by our own
weight and let her go. And go she did,
keeping her head well up, in spite Of the
weight and plunging motion of the surging
water now In the hold.
Two miles from the shore Of Great Sound,
the nearest land, we passed British steam
ship at anchor, an officer OF which seized q
trumpet and called out
"Ho bo-log-ohl Come abo'w or
something equally Ineligible.
Johnnie, shall we climb up here and let
the Bride Of the Sea rest a little?''
"lts only two miles, sir. She'll not fall
shortn
"All right, but I'll take this hatch cover
and you can have that board floating around
down there II the Bride gets discouraged
and goes under"
Even two miles is long distance under
some conditions, dismal to contemplate aud
cause Of impotence. The water Is merci-
less always, the winds never care for conse.
quences, and there is total depravlty Of
inanimate things that excites exasperated
comment, II the solemnity of the occasion
docs not forbid. The situation was rather
hazardous to be regarded in the light Of adj
venture. The island scenery was beautiful,
the sea was imperiously grand, aud there
was much to engage the attention of those
who love TO wrestle with excitement; but
these points were mostly ignored at this
time; they did not engross thought to the
exclusion Of the stili distant shore and a
cranky boat.
Conversation had now died out; there
was no necessity for questioning; we had
reached the buoy-markcd channel In which
the steamers come and go, and had plenty
OF room. But here the sea was still more
violent, the boat plunged badly, like fox
hunter in bog, and then 1t settled down
until 1t was good deal like dilapidated
| catamGran.
The boy was cool, and attended to his
duty without a quailing eye or trembling
muscle. 1t seemed as If the little craft
would have TO 90 down; the lib was
| splashed to the top and half the mainsail,
while the crazy boom knocked whitecaps
into smithereens. 1t was q problem OF
distance and quantity-for instance: will
this dumpy boat take In three more barrels
Of water and disappear before 1t goes d
mile and a halfp and, II so, what will be
the remainder?
In spite Of the big cargo of salt water,
our speed was kept up, the iib boom did
not go under, and the boy stood on the
slippery deck with the resolution of hero.
In a tremendous surf along coral point
the little ship seemed to have lost its brave
| demeanor; II trembled and wavered on @
huge crest, hesitated, careened, then set
tied down to one more determined effort
Johnnie took advantage Of the moment Of
life, ported his helm skillfully, aud the
| Bride Of the Sea, with sigh at the mast
head and groan at the keel, gave up the
ghost, and the crew sprang to land
The boat was barely submerged, and 4
did not take long to work her up to
friendly ridge Of coral, into a position tina
enabled us to bail out most Of the water
which we did by disrobing and careenini
the boat, and using tin bread box.
"she didn't want to 60 down." SAT-
Johnnie, "you don't know, sir, how one o
these boats hates to give In. It's the frs
time ever one got out from under me, an,
I've almost lived In 'em.n
Then we had comfortable sail, wlndin,
about among the pretty islands Of Grea
Sound, over into Puget's Port and finally T.
the mirror-llke sheet of water at the tran
quill little town Of Hamilton.-Jerome Bur
nett IN Forest and Stream.