Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-03-11

higher, as tho wind reared louder,
and still the good vessel sped on be-
fore their fury.
Were all right yet. if We can steer
clear of land" and Captain Wilde
bent anxiously above his chart.
"Can you tell where we are r.
questioned Willis.
1--WE are nearing the equator-l
can't tell exactly-at about one humid
red and sixty degrees longitude"
"And little islands are unreasonably
thick about here" said old Bill, dryly
as he thrust his head in at the door
to report the loss of the topmast, and
just in time to hear the last words.
And still the ship sped on, grooming
with almost human agony. But the
stout timbers stood the strain well,
although only the lower masts re-
NAMED, and the bit of a foresail
which still chung to the yard was in
shreds.
On the third day the sky was still
heavy. but the wind sank a little,
bringing hope to the tired and des-
pairing seamen. Three of their
number had been washed overheard,
and the rest looked in each others
haggard faces with anxious, question
ing eyes.
What would their end be, and how
soon must they meet their fate?
Breakers! Breakers ahead !! -
Hard down with the helm |" shouted
the man at the lookout.
The wheel spun around swiftly, but
to no purpose. A roar, different from
the wind; harsh, grating, crashing
sound ; shuddering culver, as the
good ship was crushed upon the reef !;
cries of vain distress from drowning
mates; and they knew not what the
end must be. There they chung until
daybreak, drenched by the spray, and
numbed by the chill night wind.
When the gray morning broke in
the east they looked around. Before
then was a small island, surrounded
by the coral reef upon which the YES
sci had stranded, inside of which the
water was calm and smooth, although
the storm still ragged without. A rank
growth of tropical trees, covered with
clinging vines, grew to the waters
edge, and bright-winged birds flutter-
ed amid their branches.
Of the brave crew Captain Wilde
could see but three-old Bill, the
first mate. and the helmsman.
ats rather hard lines, Capt'n, to
be served like this on the home
stretch" said Bill, with faint at.
tempt to smile.
Call aloud, Chauncyl 1t cannot
be that my brave fellows are all
lostp' groaned the captain.
The mate shouted again and again,
but there came no response save the
sullen roar Of the waves which had
claimed their victims, and had spent
their fury.
Come, men, we can easily swim to
the shore, follow me p and one by
ono they followed their captain in
silence, and reached the shore in
safety.
Arson Wilde threw himself upon
the sandy shore and watched the
wreck of his ship in gloomy despair.
Even as he watched it, a huge wave
with curling crest, came hurrying
landward, hurled its length against
the doomed craft, while boxes and
bales mingled with splintered planks
and we're swept over the reef towards
the island.
"Save what you can, men, we shall
need it sll!" shouted Captain Wilde,
as he sprang to his feet, and seized a
bale Of heavy canvas which was now
more precious than gold.
When they had saved what they
could they began a hasty examina-
ton of their own domain.
The wind had lulled away; the
sun smiled warm good-morning
through the cloud-rifts in the east !;
and, although the waves still ran
high, the ocean was sinking into its
usual calm.
Not sign of their lost comrades
could be seen-the sea had swallowed
them up. Not a vestige of the
staunch vessel remained except the
few splintered planks which they had
saved, and the small portion of the
cargo which they had secured.
Jim, you and Bill try to fashion
us tent" said Captain Wilde to the
helmsman. "Cbauncy and l will
look around bit, and see what we
can find"
But there was not much to see
nothing encouraging. The island
where they had been cast away was
a small one, highest in the central
part, and evidently of coral formation.
Banana aud hraoI frnit uoro ohund