The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-02-08

specimens of coral, and some of them
very rare and valuable. l said nothing
of the honor which had been conferred
upon me, however, and. as soon as the
wounds healed. actually forgot it my
self in the business of trading and love
making combined. We soon disposed
of our cargo to good advantage, getting
in exchange nuggets of gold, and not a
few diamonds and other precious stones,
as well as tropical fruits and nuts in
abundance. The gold and gems we
secured in canvas belts upon our per
sons.
''Shall we 90 to Calcutta, or shall we
go homer" asked John Nelson. one day,
as he came on deck and joined Bess and
me. "Ah, your faces answer me. Home
it is"
81 do not intend to interfere with
business, sir" began.
81 know, know. was young once
myself. You and Bess are owners of the
Nadine from this day. Head her
wherever you wish. 1 am only pas
senger"
And, after further deliberation, we
decided to postpone the Calcutta trip,
and turn toward home.
BEG pardin', capt'n. Dye see them
clouds yondergp and one of my older
seamen paused beside me and pointed to
line of pinkish. dusky clouds Just WIS.,
thla above the. horizon, from 49,
zehitn-a queer -1Sszlng sky surely, Dus
l saw no cause for l. alarm
''Well" I cried impatiently.
at amt well at all, capt'n," he said
earnestly. THAT means a 'quator tor.
nado. We're bout in no latitude now,
amt we.n
eff you mean we are al the equator,
we are pretty near If, / guess, y replied,
as | went to look at the chart. 'sYes,
latitude 3 degrees 1 said, as I re-
turned.
81 thought it, sir. I've sailed in
these ere waters afore to-day and we're
in fer it, sure"
make for the first land you sec there
and try to find harbor. Islands are
plenty enough, commented, as Invent
to see that preparations were properly
male for the coming gale.
The pinkish, dusky hue overspread
the sky; the cloud of billowy, inky
darkness rose rapidly, and beneath it a
brassy, quivering line told of the intense
heat of the tropical tornado. Our good
-shiPfew over the rolling waves, already
crested with white, as though she lived
and realized what depended on her
speed.
The sea birds screamed as they few
over our heads and we followed them,
knowing well they would lead us to the
land The wind sighed and moaued as
it increased into gale. Puffs of heated
air succeeded seconds of ominous calm,
and a CHASTITY, awful gloom was over all
go below and prepare for the worst, "
l cried hoarsely, as | handed John Nell
son two of my best life preservers, be-
fore distributing them to the crew.
I'VE viii stay with you-I shall, "
said Bess, who had come silently and
now stood beside US with brave smile
upon her trembling lips.
"Yes, it is best SC" said her father,
as he carefully fastened her preserver
and his own.
What a time of suspense that was,
waiting for life OF death to win; but it
was soon over. With demeniac howl
the tempest was upon US. The rigging
was carried away by the first furious
gust 1t was useless to give orders
which could not be heard nor obeyed;
we could only wait. Each man wildly
grasped a support as the mad waves
swept the deck; but more than one
poor soul went with the foaming waters,
never to be seen again.
John Nelson and | lashed Bess to q
strong support between US.
Suddenly the roar of breakers sounded
above the noise of wind and wave; a
wall Of water, with curling, foamy crest,
came sweeping in. There was sound
of crashing timbers, there were shrieks
and cries, and our staunch Nadine
was wrecked. That huge wave swept
everything before it. 1t swept US over
the low, sandy bar into comparatively
smooth, shallow waters, while the ship
sank almost instantly in the rough sea
outside. Then, as if satisfied with its
destruction, the tempest passed, the
warm sun shone out brightly, the forest
glittered with purest water gems, and
the birds began their joyous songs
again.
OF our crew, including ourselves, ten
alone reached the shore alive; the others
drif:ed to the land, with white, set faces,
staring eyes, ana pulseless hearts.
Thank God that we live.' breathed
John Nelson, fervently, while Bess en-
braeed US both with speeches. graft
tude.
We thought we were in bad enough
plight, but we soon found that it could
be worse. AS if the sands of that hostile
shore had suddenly become human
beings, dusky forms sprang up around
us. My eyes met John Nelson's with
silent intelligence as we noticed their
Joy at the sight of the dead bodies, and
of US as living victims. Bess saw the
look, and cried
"Cannibalsl Are they cannibals,
fstherl" and he could only answer with
a groan.
We were at once led to their village,
a little back from the coast, and thrust
into dens too vie for a respectable dog
to live in. 1t did not increase our salts
faction to notice, as We did, that Bess
was treated with the greatest reverence,
and given much better quarters,