Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-08-14
CHAPTER XIV.

As l stood at the wheel l considered
how should act when the storm had
passed. And l was justified in specu-
lating, because now the sky was clear
right away round, and the stars large
and bright, though strong gale was
still blowing and keeping the sea very
heavy.
We had been heading west ever since
we hove to, and travelling broadside on
dead south-south-east. Now, if wind
and sea dropped, our business would
be to make sail, if possible, and, with
the wind holding north-north-west,
make an eight hours board north
easterly, and then round and stand for
Bermuda.
This, of course, would depend upon
the weather.
1t was, however, more than possible
that we should be picked up very soon
by some passing ship. 1t was not as
though we were down away in the
South Pacific, or knocking about in
the poisonous Gulf of Guinea, or up in
the North Atlantic at 60 degrees.
We were on a great ocean high
way, crossed and recrossed by En-
glish, American, Dutch and French
ships, to and from all parts of the
world; and bad indeed would our
fortune be and baleful the star under
which we sailed, if we were not over
hauled in a short time and assistance
rendered us.
A great though uneXpressed am
bition of mine was to save the ship and
navigate her myself, not necessarily
to England, but to some port whence
l could communicate with her owners
and ask for instructions.
AS l have elsewhere admitted, l was
entirely dependent on my profession,
my father having been a retired army
surgeon, who had died extremely
poor, leaving me at the age of twelve
an orphan, with no other friend in the
| world than the vicar of the parish
| we dwelt in, who generously sent me
to school for two years at his own ex-
| pense, and then, after sounding my
lnclinations, apprenticed me to the
| sea.
Under such circumstances, there
fore, it would be highly advantageous
to my interests to save the ship, since
my doing so would prefer some def
mite claims upon the attention of the
owners, or perhaps excite the notice of
another firm more generous in their
dealings with their servants, and of a
higher commercial standing.
While stood dreaming in this man.
ner at the wheel beheld figure ad-
vance along the poop, and on its APP
proach perceived the boatswain.
1--WE been sounding the we'll, Mr..
Royle," said he. 81 reused up on a
sudden and went and did it, as 1 woke
up anxious; and there's bad news, sir
twelve inches O. water"
Twelve inchesr' l cried.
"It's true enough. l found the
bull s-eye on the cuddy table, and the
rod don't tell no lies when it's proper.
ly used"
The pumps suck at four inches
don't theyP"
Eyes, sir"
Then that's rise of eight inches
since half.past nine o'clock. What time
is it nowP'
Twenty minutes arter ten"
1--WE must man the pumps at once
Call Cornish. You'll find the steward
on a mattress against the companion
ladder"
He paused moment to look rounC
him at the weather, and then wen
away.
/ could not doubt now that the shil
was leaky, and after what we had en-
dured, and my fond expectation of say
ing the vessel-and the miserable dealt
after all our hopes, that might be il
store for us-I felt that it was yer,
hard on us, and l yielded to fit o
despair.
What struck home most to me wa
that my passionate dream to saw
Mary Robertson might be defeated
Yet hope springs eternal, and after I
faNn T11inntac IaSrai IN mo or
by reflection. If the ship made nj
more than eight inches of water il
three-quarters of an hour it would b.
possible to keep her afloat for severa
days by regular spells at the pump AM
there were four of us to pump if Mis-
Robertson steered while we worked.
Presently heard the men pumping
and the boatswain's voice singing t.
encourage the others. What courag
that man had. l who tell this story
am ashamed of the prominence / Civ