Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-03-01

A quick flush passed over the young
mans face as the Captain thus spoke,
but he was soon calm.
Il mean. SIR" he returned, ito give
no one occasion TO strike me; yet
Bunkton struck me, but you can see
that he already suffers more than |
do.n
Bunkton gave Caleb the lie, and
again tried TO urge him into fight,
but the Captain interfered and quiet
was restored.
From that time Caleb Baker was
looked upon by the crew as coward.
At first they taunted him, but his uni
form kindness soon put a stop TO these
outward manifestations, and the feel
ings of the crew were expressed by
their looks. Bunkton took every oc-
casion he could to annoy the young
man. for he had taken his oath he
would have a fight out Of the coward
yet" The rest OF the crew might have
let the matter pass, had not Bunk
tons continued behavior kept alive
the idea Of Bakers cowardice.
None save himself knew the great
struggles that went on in the young
mans bosom; but he had resolved
that he would not fight, except in act
ual and necessary self-defense, and he
adhered to his principle. He per-
formed his duties faithfully and Cap
! tain Jacobs was forced to admit that
| though Baker was a coward he was
ret good sailor Thus matters pass
ed until the ship had doubled the Cape
of Good Hope and entered the Indian
| Ocean. 1t was toward the close OF
day that had been sultry and oppres-
sive, that a fitful breeze sprung up
from the southwark. 1t came in quick,
cool gusts and the broad canvas only
Topped before it.
I'VE are likely to have blow soon,
remarked the mate,
Not much, think" returned the
Captain, as he took survey OF the
horizon. This splitting viii soon die
away and | think the wind will then
come out from the west'rd. However,
it may be well enough to shorten sail.
You may take in t'gallants'ls and close
and reef the tops'ls."
This order was quickly obeyed, and
as the Captain had predicted, the spit
ting gusts died away, but there was no
wind came out from the westward. 1t
grew dark, but no wind had come.
About 10 o'clock those who were on
deck were startled by a sudden dark
ening of the stars, and they saw
great black cloud rolling up from the
southward. 1t soon hung over the
ship like a black pail, and the men
began to be frightened. The Captain
was called, but before he came on
deck there came crash as though
the very heavens had rent asunder.
The old ship trembled in every joint,
and huge ball of fire rolled down the
mainnast. Another and another
crashing Of the lightning came, and at
length the electric light began to play
about the ship in wild, fantastic
streams,
The foremast is struck shouted
one of the men. See where its head
is shiveredn
All eyes were turned to the spot, but
by the next wild flash the men could
see that q dangerous havoc had been
made with the mainmast. The cap
was shivered. the star board cheek
was nearly stripped of, and the tres
tie trees were quivering. or course
the heavy topmast was only held in
it's place by the dubious trestle trees,
and the maintop threatened every in
stant to come crashing upon the deck
with the long topmast and top-gal-
lantmast in its company. Such ca
tastrophe would surely prove fatal to
the ship. and all knew it.
But while all hands were gazing at
this another danger arose. The low,
rumbling sound that had been grow
ing in the southwark had escaped the
notice Of the crew, and ere they knew
it, the rushing. bowling wind was up
on them The ship lesped like
frightened stag before the gale. The
mate cut the maintop sheets, and the
sail was snapped into ribbona The
foretop-sail was clewed up, and the
ship was got before the wind.
The lightning cloud wasswept away,
and it was as dark as Erebus. The
wind howled fearfully, but there WAS
one sound more fearful that that. 1t
was the creaking OF the shattered
trestle-trees, as the end Of the topmast
bore down upon them.
"Oh, Godr' calculated Captain ia
cobs; IF the trestle-trees give way we
are lost. Hark! Hear them laborr
Away up aloft, in the impenetrable
darkness. stood the giant topmast,
and all felt it could not stand there
long. The men crowded aft, and with
painfully beating hearts they heard
the mast labor,
HIf we could bring the ship broad
side to- said the mate, the weather.
rigging might be cut and the mast
might go overheard"
''True-true, returned the Captain;
but who shall go aloft and do the job!
There would be no foothold in the
top, for that will 90 with crash. The
trestle-trees are already shattered"
If you will port the helm will
make the trial." cried a clear, strong