Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-02
4 QUEER RACE
By WILLIAM WESTEL.

Hardly had she spoken, when, as IL to
belle her words. the wind, which had late
ly fallen off 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 look at
the cable. 1t was all paid out, and as rigid
as bar Of iron. I 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"
/ said. sit 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 undaunted an
swer; land even then Good heavensi
what is that?"
"Where?"
Beyond the Painted Rocks"
Hooked but saw nothing; and then, re-
Numbering how much sharper were the
queens eyes than mine; 1 had recourse fn
my glass. Well might she exclaim and
stand with outstretched arm and blanched
face. A great wall of water, black and
solid, higher than the Painted Rocks,
higher than the ''Diana's" masts, was COM
ing out of the mist and sweeping swiftly
toward as.
For moment l was too much taken
aback either to think or speak. was lost
In establishment and dread.
But by a strong effort l recovered my
presence Of mind.
at must be a tidal wave," I said. at
have often heard of them, but this is the
first ever saw. If it strikes US while the
ship is at anchor we shall go under and
never come up again; 1 am enough of a
sailor to know that"
"What will you do, them"
'Slip the cable and trust to Providence. )"
well said, Mr.. Erie. Can do anything
to help your"
Eyes; there is only one hatch open. Shut
it, and tell Marian and Buttercup to stay
where they are. Then lash yourself firmly
to something"
All this passed in few seconds, and ]
stood by, maui in hand, ready to slip the
cable, taking care not to do it too soon,
lest the ship should drive on the rocks be-
fore we were overtaken by the wave. AS
it leaped over them l knocked the pin out
of the shackle. Away flew the cable, and
without a moments delay | lashed myself
to the capstan. Nab had fastened herself
to the foremost.
What happened next | can hardly tell.
The huge wave curled over us, then a cas-.
cade Of green water fell on the deck, and
for minute or two ri waG darkness. We
were under water a6 : / verify thought the
ship was going to the bottom; but she
came up again like a strong swimmer after
deep dive, and sometimes on her BEAM
ends, sometimes stern foremost, rolling,
pitching, plunging, gyrating like twig on
mi1l-stream, was carried madly forward
on the crest of that mighty wave.
| began to 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 as falling foul of the Painted Rocks.
The coast toward which we were driv-
ing was strange to me-a part of the island
| had not seen before-low and thickly
wooded, and 1 saw no signs of life or cul-
tivation. On sped the wave, as remorse-
less as fate; it rushed up sandy beach,
carried us over the tree-tops, and finally
left the DIANA high aid dry, stranded
in a ravine at least two miles from the
shore.