Little Falls transcript., 1886-01-15
1.-THE THREE WAVES" !"

f. "IHEIHkEE WAVES"
Fifty years ago I was sailor on 6
fishing boat at 1Deva. The captain
and proprietor of the boat was my
paternal uncle, Thomas, who had
taken me to his family at the death O
my parents. Iwas Is, and my fish
ing comrade was a boy OF Is, named
Bilinch.
Rough and stern as my uncle was
he had the noblest and most gener.
Gus heart one can imagine. He had
married a young woman whom he
loved with the deepest tenderness, and
they had a daughter of about my age,
as sweet and as good as an angel.
That year we had the most extraor:
dinary i'll luck fishing. In vain we
were the first on the suitable spot;
our nets took nothing but dead fish
small and of no value, while other boats
at our side We're obliged to throw over
board all their .ballastto make room
for. their fish. 1t continued thus the
whole season, day after day. 1t was
impossible to Blame the boat, which
could not have been better; or the nets,
which We're chosen with the. greatest
care; Or the crew, which was composed
OF the most famous fishermen between
Michicaco and the Cape Of the Figuier.
We were in despair. .a~
! One night Bilinch and I were on the
jetty at Maspe, making ready for the
departure of the beat, which usually
took place at 3 O'Clock in the morn
ing. When everything was ready we
saw that we still had a long time to
spare, and we lay down in the boat.
fell very soundly asleep. Sudden
ly was abruptly awakened by my
companion, who was pulling my arm
violently. was about to teach him
gentle manners when was struck with
terror by the deep fear l saw printed
on his face and by the inexpressible
anguish that contracted his features.
"What is the matter?" 1 asked
anxiously.
'Did you not see them? Did you
not hear them?" he murmured, his
eyes starting from their. sockets with
fright.
"Who?, Who?"
"Marie-and the other. Fly Thomas,
and do not look at them!"
Not understanding his words T was
about to ask more explanation, when
the hour for our setting out struck.
was obliged to postpone my questions.
Come away! come away!" scream
ed my companion. "Be still, Thomas;
they are waiting for u.s."
The crew was already on the jetty,
but, before the boat had touched,
Bilinch sprang ashore and began to
run toward the village. He met Uncle
Thomas and threw himself on the
ground at his feet, crying: "Icannot!
l will not! | am not going to seal"
A sailor raised him up, took him by
the ear and forced him to enter the
boat.
''What is all this?" asked my uncle.
'This lazy fellow wants to fish for
birds to-day" replied tie sailor.
But the poor boy writhed at
the captains feet, begging to
be put ashore. The sailors, seeing
nothing in it all but q trick to avoid
work, made sport of him. But I, still
under the impression of the strange
manner in which he had interrupted
my sleep, went to my uncle and told
him quietly that I was anxious in re-
gard to the boys health. My good
and thoughtful uncle quieted the men
and spoke gently to Bilinch.
"Now, be calm, my boy, and tell me
why you do not want to fish today
"Oh, master, it is impossible for me
to tell you, but swear that I cannot
and must not go with you"
But it is not enough. YOU are
bound to me for the season, and you
cannot miss a single day unless you
have q good reason to give"
Il have one, sir; I have been told
that if sailed to-day I should be
drowned without pity
"But how?" e.. 49,.
Gin shipwreck:"
''Then ii You drown the whole crew
will perish with you" '-.o-n-.,
eyes, and for. that reason you ought
not to go out to-day" a - -
Come. boy, this is not serious.
Either you are fooling US, or you know
important which we all
ought to know a". .'- #,
"But I cannot tell it,"
Every well; you will run no creator
risk than the rest of U.S. +
"For heaven ssake, master
i s'Be still, you coward. Your life is
worth no more than ours. > sgS354 ,'|f
, And taking the helm my uncle grave
y gave the. order for setting out. I
Thirty oars dipped at the same in.
slant. and the boat leaned forward.
She had gone a good distance when
Billnch begged the captain again to
stop, adding that he would tell them
all. 'i.% - E .5. :.
My uncle gave the order, tho sailors
lifted their oars, and the boat paused
gently apposite Urazandi. The cap
tain sat down and said to Bilinch,
who was weeping bitterly: = s~S
Come, Bilinch, be quiet, and tell us
what has happ pened .''sssssss .s. A
II will do 50; master, and God grant.
that no evil befau us!''' .. .
.'T This morning Ut q o'clock, Thorn
% and had finished our preparations
Eor to-day. We stretched ourselves
out on the deck and in al few moments
Thomas was soundly asleep. / would
not have been long in folio wing his ex-
ample If had not been sud ,.enly
aroused by the presence of two wom-
en, who seemed to have cropped from
The clouds. I was mute with fear,
mot ionless and hardly dared TO
breath That saved me, for leaning
Over Us and examining us attentively
they THOUGHT me asleep like my COM
paiaaon. The elder one said: Let
chem sleep. This is what We want.
they shall not Ewake now until I par
nit them
s lmme1 lately 4 felt that the. boat
Eas takenup and Vas passing through