The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-07-25

kceieu up In q uinuto WerO Wo 70 Try
1t; all our hopc Is IN change OF wind.
or q lull which will let US put the main
sail on her."
This looks rough. but what Is TO
be will be. There Is no rubbing that
out" replied; and then did my
best TO steer rs nicely as l could. so
that no broaching TO should hasten our
fate.
! On, on-once passing hapless vcs-
sci drifting bottom up. with her sails
and spars alongside OF her--we swept
until the night was upon us. Then
tho captain and the good seaman re-
lieved Us from tho helm and / had
time to think. ! went below and
looked ut the chart; ! made an esti-
mate OF our speed. and to my horror
saw wo could not be over twenty. or.
at most thirty miles TO windward OF
the roclsicst part of the Cuban cost. :
went on deck sick Mt heart for sea
and gale seemed higher than over.
told the captain how near the last peril
was, but he did not seem TO heed
me. He stood with his shoulder TO
the wheel and the ship few madly on.
Never had she sailed with such speed
before.
went forward, and while looked
Mt tho phosphoric flame flashing from
beneath the bow thought OF home. OF
my own loved Ella-and groaned in
bitter agony. never before had feared
death. but now-now so near, 1t was
terrible!
An hour maybe more and thcn I
heard all too plain, even above the
wild roar OF the storm. the sound so
sullen and deep OF the surging break
ers. rushed aft and shouted the
fearful tidings in the captains ear.
God help us!-God help u.s." was
all he said
An instant after we were in white,
seething, Kissing water, and then,
lifted skyward on d mountain roller.
we were dashed down with terrible
crash upon the dreaded rocks.
How long seemed that night, while
could feel that the shattered rem
nants Of the old ship were going fast
from under me! But the blessed day.
light came at last and even the sun
shone out. And / saw, dashed like
myself to the deck, but one man--that
man was the captain. Whittier than
foam. was his face, and full as white
his hair. which had been glossy brown
on the day before. Our eyes met-his
We're wild and wolnsh-insanity' fire
was in them.
The sea now drove the last part OF
the wreck asunder, and for q moment
/ thought we both were gone; but on
one high spot OF rock we got foot
hold, and there clutching tho coral
crag with bleeding hands we hung.
Until then neither OF US had looked
away from each other or the wreck.
But together glancing southwark,
there we saw. not mile distant beau
tiful. fower-carpeted, fruit-laden Cuba.
White cottages, groves Of golden
oranges, and tall palm trees; never
had they looked SO beautiful to me.
Yet mile OF terrible breakers lay
between us and ia waste of
waters. through which the strongest
swimmer could not hope to pass.
And the ship was gone-no, one
plank-a single plank-small, but
large enough for one to cling to, came
drifting in our reach. With one hand
each Of us seized it. while with the
other we chung to the peak OF rock
which alone had saved us from instant
destruction.
LET go the plank! it is mine
will lash myself to it and live!" cried
the captain, his eyes glazing fiercely
on me. 49,
II will not yield my right; the plank
is mine. and life is us dear to me rs to
you'll" shouted.
II have n wife and children; YOU
have none; let me live for them!" he
pleaded.
II have one dearer than all the
world; 1 will live for her who yet
shall be my wife!" cried.
.'Fool-fool! she shall look for you
in vain!'''5 And as he said this, he
drew pistol from his bosom. Well I
knew it was capped, waterproof
knew how sure he was in aim; but
drew the plank towards me which he
had let go OF when no clutched his
weapon. He raised his hand, his !
weapon was levelled at my heart
Give up the plank!" he shouted.
Never, coward-nevcr! Fire, and
my dying curse go with you'll"
closed my eyes--I knew my fate
but wild rush Of water, a fearful !.
wave, swept me far. far away from the /
rock. Then ! was drowning-gurg-
ing, choking in the water. But rose,
and rs did. something hard touched |
my body. clutched tit was that
blessed plank. To it chung with
death grasp; yet it seemed as il was
doomed to die. after all, for the waters !;
covered me- and lost all conscious
ness
But not for all time was restored
TO knowledge that dear life was yet
mine by the kind acts of Cubans. who
had drawn my body. yet clinging to !
the plank. from the surf. and were |
applying stimulants when opened my
glad eyes once more on the face OF |
bright humanity.
asked II any others had got to the
shore. They carried me to a mourn
group OF bodies. /. saw
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