Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-04-26
4 QUEER RACE,
BIZ WILLIAM WESTEL.

Hardly had she spoken, when, as II to
belle her words, the wind, which had late
" fallen of a little, rose again, and the
Diana" drifted more rapidly than before.
Nearer and nearer she drove toward the
fatal rocks, and the din of the waves beat
ing against them, and the roar of the
storm, were so great that we could not
hear each other speak. 1t seemed as if
nothing on earth could prevent our de-
structiOn. But as we drew within a mile
of the barrier, the wind lulled once more,
and the anchor ceased TO drag.
Death now literally stared US in the face.
When the next gust came we should not
have five minutes to live.
went forward TO the bows to loc,s at
the cable. II w2S -! p, out, and as rigid
as bar Of iron. l was watching it in
tently, and wondering how near it was to
the breaking strain" when Nab joined
me.
What do you think Of the rainbow now'"
i said. at does not appear to have done
us much good"
81 shall not give up hope, Mr.. Erie, IN
til the ship is on those rocks and find my
self in the water" was the undauHted an
swer; land even then Good heavensl
what is that2"
"Where2"
Beyond the Painted Rocks"
looked, but saw nothing; and then, re-
Numbering how much sharper were the
queens eyes than mine; had recourse n
my glass. Well might she exclaim and
stand with Outstrctched arm and blanched
face A great wall Of water, black and
solid, higher than the Painted Rocks,
ing out of the mist and sweeping swiftly
toward us.
For moment l was too much taken
aback either to think or speak. / was lost
IN establishment and dread.
But by u strong effort | recovered my
presence of mind.
at must be tidal wave" | said. 81
have often heard Of them, but this IS the
first ever saw If it strikes us while the
ship is ut anchor we shall 90 under and
never come up again; ! am enough of q
sniIOr 10 know that"
what will Won do, them"
"SIip the cable and trust to Providence
"Wcll said, Mr.. Erie. Can do anything
TO help your
eyes; there Is only one hatch open. Shu
IT, and tell Marian aud Buttcrcup to stay
to something"
All this passed I'm II few seconds and
stood by, maui in hand ready b. slip the
cable, taking care not to do it too soon
lest the ship should drive on the rocks be
fore we were ovcrtakcu by the wave. A
It leapcd over them knocked the pin out
OF the snHclIc Away flew the cable, and
without a moments delay ! dashed mysel
20 the capslan Nab had fastened hcrsel
TO the fOrcnast
Whit happened next ! can hardly tell
The huge wave curlcd over MS, linen a cas-
Cade Of green water fell on the deck, and
for minute or two ~ was darkness. We
were under water. At ! / verify thought the
ship was going to the bottom; but sh,
came up again like nstrong swimmer after
rdcep dive, and sometimes on her beam
ends, sometimes stern foremost, rolling
pitching plunging, gyrating like II twig on
mil stream, was carried madIy forward
on the crest Of that mighty wave.
begun 10 think we were out of the fry.
ing-pan into the fire; for to be flung ashore
at the speed we were going would be quite
as bad M falling foul Of the Painted Rocks.
The cuast toward which we were driv-
ing was strunge 10 ma part OF the island
] had not seen before low and thickIy
wooded, and saw 10 signs of life or cul-
tvhtion. On sped the wave as remorse-
less as fate; il rushed up sandy beach,
carried rs over the trcc-topa, and finally
left the "Diana" high m Il dry, stranded
in raviGe at least two miles from the
shore.