Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-16

two men from the burning ship the captain
and mate Of the brig were making all pre-
parations for the coming gale, and there
fore the boat had got alongside the sails
had been furled and everything made
snug.
Capt. Dunnett and his mate had been
kept up by the excitement of the situation,
but the moment they were on board the
brig they tainted dead off and were taken
below IN a state of Inconsistencies. This
had scarcely been accomplished and the
quarterback hoisted up and made fast when
the tornado burst upon them with terrific
ferceness. For a few minutes they could
neither see nor hear anything but the roar
ing of the tormented waters and the howl
ing and laundering of the wind. At first
the brig reeled and bent before it; then
she rose up and like a furious steed dashed
on frantically in the wake of the burning
wreck.
1t was a scene of grandeur and horror
which it would be difficult to equal, and ex-
cited awe in every heart. The force of the
wind was tremendous, and the two vessels
drove on madly before it. The wreck was
now one mass of flames, the red glare of
which lit up the foaming sea and the sky
above, showing the outlines of the brig and
the faces of the crew with terrible distinct
ness. The two vessels were running In
parallel lines, and were not more than half
a mile apart. Suddenly a towering mass
of smoke and fame shot up into the sky.
This was followed by a terrific report, and
then all was darkness. The powder In the
magazine had exploded, and that was the
last that was ever seen of that poor doomed
ship.
All that night the gale continued, and
shortly after daylight it moderated, and by
noon it had blown itself out, the clouds
rose, and the weather cleared up.
Capt. Dunnett and the mate were attend
ed with all the kindness and attention
which was necessary for men in their ex-
hausted condition. Jarvise was delirous,
and many weary days and restless nights
passed before he showed any signs of re-
covery. But he pulled through at last.
The captain was also for a time entirely
PROSTATE, but he, too, gradually regained
his strength, and in a fortnight. was on
deck again.
Poor Jarvise was greatly embarrassed
when he first met his old commander. He
was naturally of humane disposition, and
now the frantic passion which was begot-
ten OF despair had passed away he was
heartily ashamed ofhis conduct.
Il was not myself, Capt. Dunnett, he
said apologetically. Il was mad with
hunger and despair. The devil seemed to
have got into my heart; and when | reflect
on the thoughts that passed through my
mind, and things I planned during that
time my mind is filled with horror, and |
blushed with shame when ] think of them"
Il am sure that you do, Mr.. Jarvise,"
replied the capatin, soothingly; ''let US for
get all about it.
Forget it, Capt. DuDnctt?' cried the
mate, plaintively; Il shall never forget it!
The misery and torment of that dreadful
time will haunt me to my dying day."
"a dreadful time, truly" replied the
captain, soiemnly; land l can only pray
heavens that no other two men may ever
be called on to pass through such a dread
full ordeal as we did"
'.Amen!'' cried the mate.-Allthe Year
Round.