The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-02-15

he read TO her, for fear she might TAX
cold. But of an evening, when she haC
gone to her cabin, he would always re
turn to IKE deck to finish his cigar, anC
the little governess, who was as strong
as lion and not afraid Of any weather
would be out there with him, leaning
over the taffTail, and the two would stand
there talking in low tones, until the
officer Of the watch sent them below.
1--WE had been about a fortnight out
from Madeira when the weather, which
had been pleasant enough, though cold
changed suddenly, aud we were driver
by storms every way but the way We
wanted TO 90. For several days the
matches were on, and none of the passen
gers were allowed on deck. Most of the
ladies, myself among them, were i'll, and
the resi- were too frightened to notice
anything; but l was told afterward that
the only woman who was neither sick
nor terrified was the governess, and she
seemed fey-full of wild spirits. and
! keeping up a constant banter with the
bridegroom, with whom she played at
cards half the day.
81 do not remember how long the
storm continued; but, Just as We were
beginning to take courage and pull our
selves together a little, we heard one
morning a sound that made our hair rise
with new terror-a peculiar, slow, regu-
lar clanking-and whisper went round
that the ship had sprung aleak and the
pumps were manned. Oh, you who have
only made this Injurious voyage of a
week cannot imagine the feelings of
those who have been for days together
in a straining, struggling ship. pitched
back and forth and from side to side
like a cork on those tremendous waves,
and then TO hear, hour after hour, the
du1 steady eI4nking that proela ms the
presence of the enemy within the walls,
gaining upon you hour by hour.
''For two mortal days and nights
those brave, indefatigable men struggled
with the encroaching foe, while signals
were hoisted ana rockets sent up TO at
tract passing ships At last the Captain
came to tell us he had no hope of saving
the ship, that the storm had abated, and
that as soon as it was broad daylight he
would get the boats cut. He begged US
to take some food, and added, as he left
the saloon: 4 hope, by Gods help, to
save every one; but remember, it is
women and children first, and if any
mus stay behind, I shall remain with
them.
Nobody attempted to eat anything,
but most of US went to our staterooms to
secure such portable valuables as we
thought it worth while TO take, and then
sat through the live long hours waiting
for the order to 20 out and trust our
lives to those frail boats upon the toss
ing The gradual sinking of the ship
made her steadier and besides, the wind
had almost subside1, and the heavy
swell of the sea wa; being beaten down
by the steady rain which began to fall
81 was standing at the foot of the
companion when the bride came out of
her cabin, which was Immediately be
hind me. She was deathly pale. and her
eyes was slightly distended, but other
wise was perfectly cool and collected.
She had on 4 thick waterproof cloak and
a wooden hood, and CARED little satchel
in her hand. Where's your husbandi'
l asked She made little movementof
her head toward the cabin. He is secur-
ing Isome important papers, she said,
and I think, she added, our marriage
certificate and my will
cat this moment the officer CAME
down the companion. 'Mrs. Odell, he
said, seeing me, there are but two
serviceable boats-the others were in
jured during the storm. Come up at
once. and l will put you in the first
Oh, Mrs. Blank, he added, seeing the
bride-come, too; and l will try and
put you together
" 6Irr said the poor girl, 4 will not
stir without my husband.
" Come, then he cried there is no
time to lose-I will call your husband
but 20 up stairs with Mrs Qdell-a and
will bring him to you-take her up,
there's good soul, he added to me-
took her hand and almost forced her up,
but further than the top of the com
panion she would not move
1.-THE sight that met us there was
startling enough The ship had already
sunk so low that cGnnot imagine how
the water kept out of the saloon: it
seemed as if we could step on board the
life boat that had already been manned
and was raised by every wave almost
to the level of the deck. All on board
was perfectly orderly, except for the
crying of one or two of the steerage
passengers who were being separated
from their male companions and passed
into the boat. 1t was nearly full when
the Captain saw US, and grasping Mrs.
Blanks arm, was about to haEd her for
ward, when she wrested herself from
him, and with sudden fury flashing over
her face, exclaimed in tone can never
forget: / can die here, if necessary,
Captain, but will not stir without my
husband
''He did not say another word, but
seized me unceremoniously, and before I
could draw my breath I,was in the
loaded boat. The painter was cut, and
one great billOw carried US many yards
away. Then we lay to, to watch the
second boat, and witnessed what was I'M
seen by her occupants. She was full, all
but very small space, and almost every
one was off the ship. | saw the young
couple standing together, her hands
elasped round his arm, and evidently re-
fusing once more to be saved without
him At the same moment the pretty
governess darted forward and flung her
self upon his other arm, evidently I'M
ploring to be saved. A stentorian voice Z
from the boat shouted: we can make .
room for two They evidently saw the
wife's struggle to die with her husband, I
and were willing with true sailor-like .
generosity to risk something to reward .
her heroism. l saw him clasp the girl .
with one arm and push his wife away,
to making a spring Then
rs she chung with agonized strength, he
-aised his cowardly fist and struck her
-ull in the face. With an unearthly
ihriek she fell back as he sprang into the
lest with the other women in hiss arms.
e. ean-Sell- Vol goods -chnnlaaI.
1.-THE whole thing was like flash OF
and as they cut away the boat,
almost before she was clear, the ship
sank slowly forward and went down
head foremost, carrying the Captain, the
bride and about dozen men to the bot
tom of the sea. "
As the thrilling vibration of the mar
rator's voice ceased there was a mo-
mentary silence. Her excitement at the
picture conjured up by memory COM
muuicated itself to the listeners, and at
first no one seemed able 10 break the
SPELL At last the Colonel spoke:
awe are very glad to know that you