Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-03-18

daylight.
81 am afraid not"
"Then we must pray-that's all"
II must have been some kind
power that held our ship up through
that long night, for the water mount
aims broke their fury upon her, and
the mad wind bent her down till she
almost groaned with physical pain.
At length the first faint streak of
the coming dawn appeared in the
east, and yet the gale was undated.
The captain was just upon the point
of leaving his stand by the wheel
when there came a noise that spoke
louder than the tempest. II was a
rumbling, roaring, crashing noise
that came to us like the knell of
death. All knew in moment what
it was. Our ship was upon lee
shore The morning came, and 1t
found us with blanched cheeks and
trembling limbs, and it found some,
too, upon their knees in prayer.
What a scene burst upon us Right
under our lee and not more than five
miles distant was rugged rock bound
coast.
What power should save us now Z?
To wear ship would be of no use, and
to tack was impossible unless we
could make and carry sail enough to
stand off. The captain staggered to
the weather mizzen rigging and pass
ed the order for loosing the foretop-
sail. The yard was pointed to the
wind, and the lee sheet was hauled
safely home. but on the moment that
the weather sheet was started the sail
split and in a few moments more it
was in ribbons
eve are gone!" uttered the mate.
And so it seemed The men hud-
died aft, but not one of them knew
what to do for safety. The ship
would certainly feel none of her low
er sails while on the wind. and the
captain knew that the mizzen topsail
would be of no use without the fore.
And every moment, too, the ship
threatened to fall off into the trough
of the sea.
"Where are we ?" asked the mate.
But the captain could not tell.
1--WE must call the pilot"
Napton looked up into the face Of
his mate, but this time he made no
objections, and the pilot was accord
ingly sent for. The old man came up
and for while he gazed upon the
surf bathed coast in silence. There
was bitter smile upon his lips, and
his eyes sparkled with strange light.
He at length asked for glass, and
the mate obtained one, and having
adjusted the focus he handed it to
him.
"What coast is that2" asked Mr..
Sawyer after the pilot had lowered
glass. "Andros," replied the old
man.
"And there is no salvation for us
now!" the mate gasped.
Il can save the ship" calmly said
Marco Midas without change in his
countenance.
"You save us!" gasped the cap
tain, starting up.
eyes"
"But how ?"
"Never mind. | can save your
ship and your lives" The old man
spoke calmly, but yet loud enough to
be heard above the roar of the temp
est.
"Then do lido it, and you shall
be rewarded"
"Stop. sir +! For a thing of your
doing you insulted me. You struck
me! Had you been on shore you
should not have lived ; but l can for
get and forgive it now. Go down on
your knees, acknowledge your error
and you are safe"
The captain hesitated. There was
something in the old mans manner
that told of truth, but the proud man
was not yet bold enough to confess his
fault. Nearer and nearer surged the
ship toward the fearful rocks, and
louder and loader came the roar of
the convulsed breakers.
ut will soon be too late" spoke
the pilot.
"In heavens name," gasped the
mate, save US Capt. Napton, you
did him wrong"
The stout captain cast one more
look upon the fatal coast, then he
ran his eve over the mad sea, and
then he sank down upon his knees.
II did you wrong-I freely own it.
Forgive me-and save u.s."
"Then l am captain now" said the
pilot, with proud look and sparkling
eye.
EYES,"
"Then man the main braces and
lay the yards square-stop, sir, l
know what ! am doing. Put up your
ho1u, aud 1at bar mn or hofo.o -