The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-05-26

lOdHl SlSolld vi
lows hurl with mighty crash against
the rock-bound coast. The island
seems to tremble to Its very founda-
tions. "God protect our Mariners" is
the thought of every islander. My
room IN Mardier's commands view of
both sea and town. The latter is a
small place built upon the strand. The
streets are deserted as the rain descends
in torrents.
The storm increases to hurricane.
In the harbor sea-mews fly hither and
thither uttering discordant cries which
are drowned in the roar of the tempest
and the thunder of the waves.
So pass morning and afternoon. The
hurricane still RACES with unaoated ve-
hemence. The lantern IS already aligbt
in the neighboring lighthouse at Ham
merberg. Several fishermen are busy
IN the harbor trying to make their
boats, which are dancing about like
nutshells, more secure from risk of in
jury.
But hark ! A dull, brief report re-
sour ds above the din of the tempest
and the turmoil of the waters. This is
no thunder of the waves it is a cannon
shot. We hear 1t once more, and then
repeated at short intervals. Men con-
gregate at the harbor's mouth, and a
large telescope is procured. But no
ship is yet visible; the horizon is too
circumscribed. Thus half an hour
passes away. All Allinge is on the alert.
People unite IN groups to discuss the
plight of the devoted vessel. | find
myself attached to one of these knots.
Now-it may be about 5 O'Clock
something black becomes visible against
the back ground of Hammerberg. 1t
draws nearer and becomes plainer-we
distinguish ship.
A sudden flash quickly followed by
a report gives a renewed intimation
that the vessel is in distress.
But who can render any aid? The
coast is precipitous, and wild uneven
crags jut out far into the ocean. The
sea is so rough that no boat could live
in it. The danger becomes more and
more imminent. The craft, brig
already bereft of its mainmast, must
strike. 1t is hopelessly lost.
In the excitement of the awful mo
ment l had been unconscious as to my
immediate surroundings. Suddenly
quite close to me, | heard cry full o.
despair, soul-stirring wall.
1t was Gudrun, who stood wringing
her hands, her fallen tresses prey tc
the blast. "The Nautilus-Gunnar !!
she cried in her anguish. "Save him
The doomed ship was none Other
than that which bore her betrothec
honeward. Men ran to and fro with
confused confused cries, but no one
ventured to the rescue at woulC
only be tempting Providence" declared
a venerable sailor and he added, un
covering his head in all reverence
The Lord of heaven and earth dellvel
them" All the bystanders followed
his example and united in the prayer
I Gudrun rushed from group to group
imploring, supplicating, wringing he
hands, but nobody ventured to cour
certain death.
Suddenly Captain Torstensen, he
father, appeared upon the scene wear
ing "sou'wester" and long sea boots
"Who will come with me ?" he asked
in clear, resonant voice. He me
with no response. Some attempted tt
persuade him from his enterprise, evel
resortlng to force. The most expert
ence sailors regarded it as madness IL
attempt to navigate in such sea.
"Then l shall try it alone," he de
clared, hurrying toward his boat. Tw'
Young men followed him, at first doubt
fully; then, adjured by Gudrun, de
: termlned to join him in the desperat
venture.
A rush was made for the LANDING
where the boats were lying. Torsten
: sen could scarce stand upright in hi
boat, but for all that he cast off III
painter. And now, just as the mel
were In the act of pushing off, Gudru
leape5 into the boat. A cry of terro
rose from a hundred throats. Man
women were weeping. The boa
heeled over and the oarsmen were evi
dentIy striving to put back with Gud
run. A receding wave, however, cal
ried the boat rapidly out of the harbo'
The crowd stood breathless not
word was spoken. All eyes were cen
tired on the boat, which appeared o
l the lofty summit OF wave only to dis
appear next moment in the trough {
the sea. Gudrun's fair locks wer
floating in the wind like cloud feel
The minute guns had long ceased
, echo from the brig.
y Darkness set in, and they had nc
returned. Nothing further was seen {
the ship. Night fell. The storm rage
on, the waves still battled fiercely, an
out wonder those who were meetin
4 their doom drew their last breath III
T heard. Unheard1 No. There is or
= who listens and hearS.
8 The people of Allinge passed sleeI
: less night. As for me, pondered ov'
Gudrun's words of the previous day
i "Do you hear? Oh, l know l sha
= die soon !"
Once more day dawned, but tt
u morning was bright and sunny. III
{ storm had subslded. Men were searcl
ino the shore All that remained