Wichita eagle., 1888-01-12

| on deck with Louise.
When he got there he found that the breeze
had freshened some, but it was even more
| delightful now, for the schooner seemed to
| bound on before its fervent kisses like glad
thing of life.
A CLEAN of pleasure was in Hickey's eye rs
he pointed to a beautiful yacht at least three
times their size about half 4 mile off on their
weather bow.
"What yacht is thatw said Edward.
"The Una, sir, one of the fastest in the
club
sWhy, we are coming up with her hand
| over band"
ayes, sir; but she has taken in her foresail
to wait for US; she wants to try our speed"
"Well, she shall have chance. Go below
| and get bite Of lunch, and then We'll trim
| sheets"
Hickey didn't stay below long. A glass Of
| brandy and a sandwich were taken care of,
and then he hurried up to trim sheets and en-
joy the fun.
By this time Edwards craft had run up
under the lee Of the Una, the owner Of which
hailed him courteously, complimenting him
on the beauty of his craft and asking him to
try speed with him.
II will set my foresail," said he, safter you
have drawn ahead from under my lee"
Edward thanked him for this courtesy and
in moment or two he was stretching ahead
calamity. 1t was a pleasant scene, for there
was large party Of ladies and gentlemen on
board the Una, and the presence of fair wit
nesses made the friendly strife doubly inter
esting.
All this time the breeze had been gradually
freshening, and once in while the white
spray would be dashed high in air and fall in
snowy fakes on the deck Of the Louise; but
none on board of her cared for that. or even
for good ducking, for the Una did not gain
an inch upon her-in fact, Edward had luffed
up and left the Una ON her lee quarter, but
still within mailing distance.
1t was near sunset when the Una fired a
gun In acknowledgment of defeat, and hove
about with her PROV turned homeward. So
elated were all hands on board of the little
craft that they scarcely thought how far they
were from home, and with head wind fast
increasing to gale. But Edward was good
pilot up the harbor, and now he had double
confidence in his craft.
ave must lower the foresail and secure it:
the mainsail and jib is all that she can stand
when we haul her up by the wind" said he to
Hickey.
"Aye, aye, sir! and then she'll have all she
can stagger under, Pm thinking
The foresail was taken in and slowed, the
flying jib hauled down and the boom rugged
III as soon as possible; but a mile or two more
was lost to leeward while this was being done.
The schooner was now hauled by the wind,
the Jlb and mainsheets trimmed close down.
and she headed as near as possible to the har-
boris mouth, for the wind was blowing right
out of II. And the schooner did have all She
could stagger under, her lee rail very often
in the water and the spray dashing fore and
aft.
"Why does it blow SO hard when there are
no clouds, Mr. Hickey?" asked Henry.
Its nor'wester; they're always clear
when it's going to blow hard" was the reply.
"Well not feel it when we get in under the
land" said Edward, cheerfully.
mo, sir" replied Hickey; mot when we
get there. But, sir. reckon we'll have to
reef the mainsail and have the bonnet off the
jib before long. The wind increases every
hour. ] wish she wasn't so heavily spared
What she can't carry she must drag" said
Edward sternly. "She stands I'D very well.
Pm sure!"
stretches. See how the masts buckle
At this moment sea broke over the low
rail and almost deluged them with water. 1t
was now dark, though clear, for there wasno
moon, but the Sandy Hook lights were in
sight, and Edward hoped soon to gain a lee
under the point of Staten Island, in the AM
boy channel.
"You had better go below with the bows,
Lon Il
deck here"
Il would rather stay where you are. Ed
ward" she replied. "There is something sub
lime in this scene the great waves, foam
capped and angry; the brave little vessel
dashing through and over them am not
afraid"
Suddenly, after heavier gust than usual
and when heavy sea struck her, sharp
crack was heard forward, then one aft, and
III an instant Edward knew what was the
matter.
Down for your lives, down below" he
shouted. pushing Louise and the two boys
into the cabin and drawing the hatch over
them
The axes! Quick, Hickey. and stand b.
to cut away-the masts ara sprung" r.. p.
The latter words were hardly spoken when,
with crash both masts went by the board.
Cut away. cut away the wreck mustn't
thump alongside" he cried, seizlng an ak and
going to work. ''a
Hickey was true man, and soon the lost
snars were floating away to the leeward
Fortunately. the foremost had snapped off
about twenty feet above the deck, and SO
strong the gale that even It caused her to
pay off before the wind. and although a few
seas came aboard she got Storage way and
ran ahead of the seas To get storm trsail
IN the stump of the mast and rig preventer
stays was now Edwards strongest hope, for
hen he hoped 10 lay her to in the track OF
some Of the pilot boats before she was swept
far out to sea.
He paused only to speak few cheering
words to Louise and bid her and the bows not
to come on deck; then he and Hickey went to
work, having dashed themselves amidships
After couple of hours labor they got the
tiny sail bent and sheet aft. Then the helm
was put alec, and the beautiful hull rounded
20 once more and lay head to sea, light as a
duck an the water Her hull was SO low that
the wind had hi. iittle effect on her. and its
model such, with its faring bow. that each
sea lifted her above its crest.
Rather romantic affair this Master Ed
ward If didn't feel little seasick | should
enjoy it vastly" said Louise, when lie per-
mitted her to come on deck when all was safe.
"On my SOUL you take it easy for a first
cruise" said he, as he tried the pump and
found the vessel free from water from below.
That is the way TO take things which one
can't helm" she replied
"rhen you'll have to take me easy when we
get ashore, for have me you shall You are
the hravest girl ever knew or heard of"
WAT till we get ashore, Master Edward. /