Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-05-22

injured, still attached to the yard, which
they lowered to within four or five feet of
the deck. They then fastened what had
formerly been the upper corners securely
with ropes to some staples on the deck,
though twenty times the intrepid youths
were in imminent danger of being swept
away by the waves. Under this limited
spread of canvas it seemed likely that the
schooner would be able to continue the
course she had been pursuing for some
time, and Brian and Moko returned 10
Gordon and Donovan to assist them in
steering the vessel.
Just then the door of the companion-way
opened a second time, and the head of
Brian's younger brother appeared.
"What do you want, Jack?" asked Brian.
Come, come. quick" cried Jack. The
water is pouring into the cabin"
rs it possible?" cried Brian, hastily re-
spending to the peremptory summons.
The cabin was dimly lighted by hang
ing lamp whose rays disclosed to view ten
children lying upon the sofas and in the
berths of the Slough" though she
younger members of the little party, who
were about eight or nine years of age, had
huddled close together prey to the most
abject terror.
'There is no danger" cried Brian, anx-
ious above all to reassure them. 1--WE are
nearing land now. Don't be afraidp'
Examining the floor with a lighted can
die he found that a small quantity of
water was flowing from one side of the
cabin to the other with each movement of
the vessel Where did this water come
from3 Had it penetrated some opening in
the vessels sideY A careful examination
of this apartment and subsequently of the
adjoining hold, however speedily con-
WINGED Brian that the trouble was not be-
low the water-line, but that it proceeded
from the heavy waves that were constant
ly breaking over the deck and dripping
through the hatch-way into the hold be-
low, consequently no serious danger was
to be apprehended On this score.
Brian treasured his youthful comrades
as he passed through the cabin on his way
back to the wheel. The schooner, which
was very substantially built, and had re-
Gently been newly sheathed with copper,
was not leaking, and seemed likely to
withstand the power of the waves.
1t was now nearly two o'clock in the
morning; the sky was as black as ink, and
the wind still blowing furiOusly. The
shrill cry of petrol occasionally rent the
air, but the sound was no conclusive proof
that land was near, us these birds are Of
ten encountered long distance out at sea.
Besides, unable to resist the force of the
wind, they might be following some aerial
current as blindly and irresistiHy as the
schooner, whose swift progress no human
power could retard.
An hour later and report like that of a
cannon resOunded through the air. The
last fragment of the foremost had just been
rent in twain, and the pieces of canvas
were fiuttering in the air like so many
enormous sea-gulls.
1--WE have no sail left now" cried Dono
van.
What difference does that make after
all?" replied Brian. You may rest as
sured that we shall go fast enough"
Thanks to the waves in our rear, ;" add.
ed Moko. eve shall have to lash our
selves securely to the wheel now to pre-
vent ourselves from being swept over
board"
He had scarcely uttered these words when
gigantic wave reared its head high above
the vessels stern for an instant, then broke
with sullen roar upon the deck, dashing
Brian, Donovan, and Gordon against the
companion-way to which they succeeded
in clinging: but the cabin-boy had disap-
cared with the vast volume of water that
swept the 'Sloughi'' from stem to stern,
carrying away part of the hatch-way, the
two life-bOats and the yawl as well as the
pinnacle; hut the gun-wales, too, being
shattered, the water could flow rapidly
from the deck-a fact that saved the yacht
from being swamped under its enormous
burden
"Mokoi Mokor' cried Brian, as soon as
he was able to speak.
Has he been washed overboard?" asked
Donovan.
Il can see or hear nothing of him." re-
Piled Gordon, peering over the vessels
side.
1--WE must save him! Throw him life
preserver and some roper shouted Brian.
Then, in voice that rang out loudly in
brief lull in the tempest he called again:
'Mokol Mokor'
'Helpl helpr' responded the cabin-boy,
family.
He is not overboard That voice came
from the bow of the schoonerp' said Cor
don.
'1'I save himI' cried Brian, making his
way swiftly, though cautiously, across the
slippery deck.
The voice of the cabin-boy was heard
once more. then all was still Meanwhile
Brian had succeeded in reaching the hatch.
way leading down into the hold He
called, but no answer came. Could it be
that Moko had been swept from the deck
by another wave since that last cry was
uttered? In that case the poor boy must
be long way off now, for the waves could
not have borne him onward with a speed
equal to that of the schoOner-and he was
lost.
No, a faint cry again reached the ears of
Brian, who sprung toward the space be-
tween the windlass and the bowsprit where
as he CROPPED eagerly upon the deck, his
hands at last came in contact with with.
ing body.
1t was that of the cabin-boy, who had
become tightly wedged in the corner
formed by the intersection of the gunwales
at the bow, while one of the halyards. in
which he had somehow been eutangled,
drew more and more tightly about his
throat as he struggled to free himself.
Caught in the halyard just as the gigan-
tic wave came sweeping across the deck.
he was now in imminent danger of perish
ing by strangulation.
Brian hastily pulled out his knife and
succeeded in cuttirg he rope that impris-
oned the young negro, who made his way
back to the wheel after fervently thanking
his youthful preserver.
Contrary to Brian's prediction the speed
of the yacht had diminished somewhat
since the loss of her scrap of foresail, and
the waves, running now more swiftly than
the vessel, might at any moment submerge
her from the rear and swamp her. Still,
how could they hope to avert this danger.
ii being now an utter impossibilitv for
them to hoist even an apology for a sail?
In the southern hemisphere the month
Of March corresponds with the month of
September in the northern hemisphere.
and the nights are of medium length. con
Sequeutiy about four o'clock in the morn
INC the urav liuht of dawn would anpasr
in the eastern horizon, EnaJ Is 10 saw tue
sky above that part of t. ocean toward
which the tempest was driving the
slough" Perhaps, too. the wind would
abate in violence with the coming of dawn.
Possibly, too, they might find themselves
within sight of land; and in that case the
fate of these children would soon be de-
cided.
About half-past four faint streaks Of
light could be seen creeping up toward the
zenith, but the fog. unfortunately was
still so thick that the lads could see scarce
ly quarter of a mile ahead of them. The
clouds were moving with frightful rapid
ty; the wind had not diminished in VIC
lanca and the ocean as far as tho ava coy,l A