The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-06-18

could swing of, down he drove upon the
sailing vessel her heavy bouys striking it
amidships.
There was loud crash-the noise of
splintered woodwork k-and nearly the
whole port-side of the bark was badly
crushed, together with all her coats, the
quarter-b cat, the launch and the dingey,
ere by swinging of she enabled the stea-
mer TO pass, grazing her stern.
But for Alan's prompt manGvering,
the huge vessel would have cut him in
two at once. As il was, the water poured
rapidly INTO his hold, and his bark must
20 down in less than half an hour.
Our boats are all broken We are
lost w crsed his wife, shrinking, pale
with terror, close to 8 is side, while he
stood, with an arm about her waist, striv-
ing to allay her fears.
Forward, the sca, sweeping over the
| bark, had driven the crew aft.
There will, of course, be boat from
the other ship to our rescue" cried Al
ian, in a cool, collected voice, as Rayt MS
craft vanished in the heavy mist and
( rack.
He was right. A boat, til the steam
er's captain in the stern-sheets. urg-
ing his men at the oars, soon CANT in
sight. -
Mrs. Campbell clapped her hands.
Come, Allan" she said, "let us be
ready to get in the boat.
Yes, Lucy, yoa must be ready" he
answered, but as captain of this craft,
it is my duty to be the last man to leave
her.
When the boat came alongside Lucy
refused 10 get in
81 must see if it viii hold us az first" I"
she said.
Jump in, men, to satisfy her we've
no time to lose" cried Allan to his crew.
All the men entered the boat. There
was room for only one person more
| A look of fierce joy darkened Rayton's
face
q" Now," thought he, "Allan must of
course give the one vacant place to his
wife She will take it, and her husband
viii be left aboard the bark to go down
with the craft, ere further assistance can
reach him. Mrs. Campbell, thus made a
widow, and ere this, probably tired of
her stupid partner, will now know how
to appreciate the contrast between him
and me, and will soon consent to become
my wife"
Come, Lucy, get in" said Allan.
"There is not room for two" she an
swered.
Never mind my place is here yours
is in the boat"
And what will become of you ?'
81 must go down with my craft ifthere
is no other way"
"Quick :" cried Rayton, holding up
his arms to help Lucy into the boat.
"The bark is about to make her last
plunge"
"Go," Lucy" entreated Allan. "Never
minn me-" Leave me to the fate that
cannot be helped, and save yourself"
Then he tried to force her into the boat
but. now, throwing both arms about his
neck, and clinging to him tightly, whi lie
her beautiful face was lighted with love
and resolution, she answered
81 will not go. Sooder than desert you
| will die with you !"
Cast loose the boat warp /" shouted
the mortified and disappointed Rsyton'
"Quick We must save ourselves, at any
rate
With loud, gurgiing roar, as the boat
drifted clear of the bark, an avalanche OF
water swept over the latter, which was
buried to her waist.
There she goes |" cried several of the
sailors as the stoven vessel gave side
long yaw, preparatory to plunging be-
meath the sea.
"Ay and those two living fools will
90 down with her" muttered the angry
captain, between his teeth. " 1t will serve
them right"
Just then there was a shout. Another
boat, which had been lowered by the
steamers second officer, was seen emerg-
ing from the rack and mist close to the
sinking craft.
Had Allan waited longer, his wife and
he must have been drawn down by the
houndering wreck. Therefore, with an
arm about hsr waist, he sprang As far out
with her as he could into the sea, from
which, moment later, the two were
helped into the second officers boat. As
the latter was swiftly pulled away, the
bark was seen tolift her head for an in
slant, and then to surge over on her beam
ends with a violence which caused hel
mainmast TO go crashing over by the
board as she sank beneath the surgins
: waters.
Several loosened blocks from the faller
mast were hurled outward from it, anc
while Captain Rayton, who had sullenll
witnessed the rescue Of the couple, stood
watching him, one Of these blocks strucl
him on the head, knocking him down
senseless..
' After the boats reached the steamer
the doctor there pronounced Rayton's in
!. Jury fatal one. The unfortunate mai
: fingered for three days, during which b
was kindly tended by Allan Campbell
4 who did all in his power te relieve tn
r sufferings of his former shipmate. Jus
before dying Rayton said to his rival
: 81 have wronged you in my own minc
q Have hated you and wished you i'll. NOV