Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1891-12-12

mighty swell rolling in from the west.
A gale OF wind was piping up from the
/ south; the gloom was appalling; a
/ spiteful dash of rain occasionally add
| ed to the wilderness of the scene. The
/ only ray of hope seemed to be i'll the
northwest, where a streak OF clearsly
on the horizon, q mere seam under the
brooding canopy of night and storm,
promised fair weather. But to the ex-
! perienced eye of Captain Fowler that
streak OF light was filled with inexpres-
sible dread. At that season OF the
| year following a northeaster it meant
to them in that spot tempest, lee
shore, and in all probability destruc-
| ton
The Sea Foam ought to have been
under close reefs. But a press OF sail
was carried on her with the hope OF
making an offing before shift OF the
wind. She leaped from wave to wave
like mad steed, buried in a smother
OF foam that swept the decks fore and
aft and shook every timber in the
ship. Her lee rail was awash; every
rope and timber and spar creaEed
and groaned under the pressure. Not
an eye on board was closed. The
westerly swell making a Cross-sea with
the southerly surge showed that a
shift OF the wind could not long be
deferred. And when it came how many
OF them would see another dawn.
When the schooner had cleared the
northern head OF the Bay OF Islands
Captain Fowler eased her of a point
or two to the north ard to increase
her Roadway His aim was to place
n safe distance between them and the
land. Ii they could but hold that
course until after midnight they
might then in case OF an emergency be
able to run for the Straits OF Belle
Isle. But we can never quite tell when
the Southwestern will shift northwest
and what will be the force OF the lat
ter.
Jack was on deck clinging with a
firm grip on the companionway. He
did his share at steering and hand
ling the sails, but Just then there was
nothing to be done but watch and
wait. He was somewhat anxious, but
not half as anxions as his father, Tor
he was too young as yet fully to re-
alize the power and the terror of the
seas.
There came stronger blast than
usual, and smart shower. The
change OF wind was at hand. The
schooner lay over almost on her beam
ends.
'IufT, cried the captain; then rang
out the order to shorten sail instant
1 ly. The bonnet was taken off the lib
the fore and main sails were close
reeted. 1t was hard Job and done
none too soon. For hardly had
everything been made snug when there
came very heavy shower, followed
by hull. For a moment there was a
dead calm. The little vessel walow,
ed helplessly, and nothing was heard
but the dreary wash OF the sea.
But the light streak in the west was
broadening rapidly. The lower edge
OF the rising mass OF clouds was firing
ed with a thin, ragged mist and smoke
indicating a violent agitation OF tbs
elements.
Captain Fowler sprang to the helm
himself and cried, Ease of your
mainsheet; latten your weather lit
sheet" A cold puff from the west
shuddered through the west sails.
Let 90 the foresale; lively there
boys, lively" Hardly we're the word:
out OF his mouth when roar wa:
heard approaching the ship like &
thunder OF a cataract The mer
sprang to the ropes, and as the fore
sail came down terrific blast STRUCK
the schooner and laid her side under
to the matches. She all but went
over. As she gathered way Captain
Fowler eased her by slowly putin.
down the helm as she leaped away
with the fury OF fiend
The wind and sea arose. It became
impossible to carry anything but try
sails. But even with those there wa!
no hope; and when the mainmast
: parted near the partners the gam,
was indeed up. The plaything OF thu
storm, swept by every sea, tn,
schooner drifted swiftly toward the
land. The deadly boom of the sur
roaring down above the bowling vino
soon announced the vicinity OF tn,
implacable cliffs. In few moment.
the fated men on the schooner expect
, ed to be beaten to death on the rocks
There came tremendous breaker
, 1t lifted the doomed ship on it.
mighty shoulders and rushed with il
toward the land. The cliffs literally
lowered overhead But when TIL,
crew gave themselves up for lost thu
surge suddenly retired and the shiI
settled down on a ledge above tht
rest Of the shore within n vast cavity
IN the face OF the precipice. To theil
amazement when day broke the crew
found their vessel comparatively un
, injured. The waves came into thu
/ cave, but rarely with their full force
The first sensation OF all on boarC
WIS one of relief and gratitude. They
, were all safe but two, who had beer
washed overheard and lost. But
when they were able to examin,
their situation more calmly despair
took the place OF hope. They wer,
surrounded with inaccessible cliffs
Far as they could see north ant