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

with an assorted cargo OF great value.
The captain. Rabbit by name, was an
oddity in every way. He always
struck for new courses. took all tracks
but those prescribed by custom. and
thought nobody knew anything but
himself
For instance, he insisted that n
counter-current ran southwark inside
OF the Gulf Stream, and TINT the only
way to make quick voyage to Now
Orleans was to hug close in on the
shore side OF 1t all tho way out, despite
the danger Of capes. rocks and reefs,
the whereabouts OF which he said he
knew too well not to avoid them.
Who could gaihsay himp He was
captain OF his own ship-monarch OF
1t and all aboard. So, sailing with n
stiff nor'-westcr on our quarter. we
sped swiftly on, passing all the dangers
OF the coast successfully such as
Barnegat, Hatteras, etc.v and found
ourselves on a morning suddenly be-
Gained of Cape Florida, close in with
the land, but soon drifting northward
despite the captains .'southerly cur
rent"
1t was very clear-not u cloud In
sight--warm and close, though 1t was
September, and the time for an elui-
noctial gale to be upon us.
'Heave the deep-sea lead. Mr.. R."
said the captain to me, .'and see IL 1t
is shoal enough to get an anchor to
hold"
sounded. and forty fathoms was
given.
bend two hawsers together and
drop our heaviest kedge," was his next
order. Then close furl every sail
but the fore-storm-stay-sai and bal
acknowledgements, send down all the
light spars from aloft, and get ready
to house topmasts and secure lower
yards. get up preventer- braces and see
all secure below and aloft."
'Ay. ay. sir!" And it was DONE
We were now ready for storm, but
!. old rs / am In sea matters, could
see no token OF 1t anywhere.
Were going to have tough time
OF 1t, Mr.. X said Captain Rabbit to
me.
why, SIR" said l. 'the sky Is as
clear as my loves dear eyes. and the
water is as smooth as a mill-pond. I
see no sign Of wind"
Wait about two hours and you'll
sing another tune" he replied. I've
been in these ATTITUDES before. The
worst of this will be that 1t will come
dead off shore, and II we must scud
Cuba and her reefs will be under our
lee. II we bump our heads there, II
will be the last OF the old Triumph and
us too"
made no reply. for ! thought it
only one OF his fancies and leaving the
second mate in charge OF the deck.
went below to take q nap for I'd had
the mid watch and felt rather snoozish.
1 went to my state-rOom and threw my
self on my bunk, and soon was dream
ing OF a. blue-eyed angel ashore whom |
hoped to be spliced to at not far
distant time. A heavy trampling over
head and the shout OF sail hands
dhoy" brought me out OF sleep. and to
my feet in an instant. hurried on
deck. Never can forget the change
of scene OF sky and sea, from the calm
beauty in which left it when / went
below. Now, black clouds were roll
ing up to the northward. coming on in
great blotchy waves, like crags OF ebon
mountains. overhanging and about to
fall upon us. The sea was black un-
der the shadowy wing OF the storm,
and the roar of tho tempest like
hoarsc angry voice, came to our ears
from the distance.
'Up with the fore-storm- staysail-
never mind tho spanker," shouted the
caTtain. "You two mates take the
helm; men, lash yourselves to the rig
ging, it will wash us fore and aft be-
fore we get headway." And selling
an axe from the beckett, he bounded
forward AID cut away the hawser
which held us ut anchor.
As he did this / looked of on our
starboard beam and saw the water APP
parently rolling In huge white break
err towards us. The next instant the
wind struck us, and for a moment
thought all was over, for the ship
keeled until her lower yard-arms were
in the water.
Hard up-hard up the helm!"
shouted the captain In my ear.
could but just hear him, and point
ing to the wheel, he saw that his or
der had been anticipated.
just then away went our mizen-mast
close by the deck. and that alone saved
us, for now her head payed OF before |
the wind. and the ship righted. Then
the staysail filled. and away the old
craft shot like an arrow sped from
well strung bow. As we got out into
the gulf the sea rose literally 30 high
that the foam was scattered In cloudy
mists through the air
How does she headp' asked the
captain. who stood forward OF the
wheel.
"Sou'-Sou'. west SIR" I replied in a
shout. for the gale drowned all COM
mon tones.
II she goes at this rate and holds
that course we will strike Cuban rock
inside OF ten hours!" he cried.
why not try 70 hcave her TOP" /
asked.
I'm such sea and gale we would be