The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-30
A MARRIAGE AT SEA.
W. CLARK RUSSELL

slept till somewhat after three O'clock II
the morning
was awakened BY suddenly and yio-
lently rolling out OF my bunk. The fall
was a heavy one was a big fellow. anc
struck the plank Of the deck hard, and,
though was instantly awakened BY the
shock OF the capsizal, Hay for some mo-
ments in a condition OF etupefaetion.
sensible Of nothing but that had fallen
out OF my bunk
The little berth was in pitch darkness,
and / lay, as have said. motionless. and
almost dazed, till my ear caught sound
OF shrieking ringing through wild but
subdued note Of storm on deck, mingled
with loud and fearful shouts az OF men
bawling for life or death, with trem-
bling in every plank and fastening OF the
little fabric as though she we're tearing
herself to pieces. | got on 70 my legs,
but the angle Of the deck was 30 prodig-
ious that / leaned helpless against the
bulkhead to the base of which bad
rolled, though unconsciously. The
shrieks were continued. ] recognized
Grace's voice, and the sound put q sort
Of frenzy into me, insomuch that, scarce
ly knowing how / managed, had In an
instant opened the door OF my little
berth, and was standing grabbing hold
Of the cabin table, shouting to let her
know that ] was awake and up and that
heard her.
Now the uproar Of what took to be a
squat OF hurricane power was to be cas-
lily heard. The believing OF the wind
was horrible, and 1t was made more ter
rifying to land-going ears, by the lnces-
SAINT hoarse shouts Of the fellows on
deck; but, bewildered as ! was, agitated
beyond expression, not knowing but as
stood there gripping the table ana
shouting my sweetheart shame the yacht
might be laundering under my feet, !
had wits enough to observe that the yes
sci was slowly recovering level keel,
rising from the roof-like slant which had
flung me from my bed TO an inclination
that rendered the use OF ones legs pos
sible. likewise noticed that she neither
plunged nor rolled with greater heavi-
ness than Ihad observed In her before I
lay down.
Fortunately, had no need to eiothe
myself, since ON lying down l had re-
moved nothing but my coat, collar and
shoes. / had little silver matchbox
in my trousers pocket. and swiftly struck
match and lighted lamp. looked at
Graee's door. expecting to find her stand
ing in It. 1t was closed and she contin-
ued to scream. TWAS no time for cere-
mony; opened the door and called to
her.
: "On, Herbert, save mel she shrieked.
1.-THE yacht Is sinking! !"
mo" cried, she has been struck by
a gale OF wind. ! will find out what Is
the matter. Are you hurt2'
1.-THE yacht is sinking she repeated,
in a wild voice OF terror.
Remain as you are, Grace. / shall
return to you In a moment. Do not Inn
agine that the yacht is sinking. know
by tho buoyant feel OF her movements
that she is safe.
Aud, thus hurriedly speaking, ! left
her, satisfied that her slriek5 had bean
produced by terror only; nor did wish
her to rise, lest the yacht should again
suddenly heel to her first extravagantly
dread! III angle, aud throw her aud break
limb or inJare har more cruelty yet.
The companion-hatch was closed, The
idea Of being imprisoned raised such q
feelsug Of CONSERVATION In me that
stooa IN the hatch as one paralyzed
then terror set me pounding on the cover
with my fist till you would have thought
that in a few moments ] must have re-
duced 1t to splinters. After a little,
during which / j. hammered with might
and main, roaring out the name OF Cau-
del, the cover was cautiously lifted a
few inches, letting in a very yell of wind,
such a schock and blast of it that ] was
forced back off the ladder, as though by
a blow in the face, and in breath the
light went out.
Its all right, Mr.. Barclay, cried
the voice Of Caudel, hoarse andyet shrill
too with the life-and-death cries he had
been already delivering. A gale Of
winds busted down upon us. We've 90,
the yacht afore it whilst we clear away
the wreckage. There's no call to be
alarmed, sir. On my word and honor a:
a man, there's no call, sir. beg you moi
to come on deck yet yen only be in tn,
way. Trust to me, sir; it's all right,
say" And the hatch was closed again
/ now knocked on Grace's door, an,
told her to rise and dress herself an,
join me in the cabin.
There's no danger" shouted
nothing but a capful of wind" I.
sat alone for some ten minutes, dur
ing which the height and volume OF tn
sea sensibly increased, though as tn
yacht continued flying dead before til
wind her plunges were still too long an
gradual to be distressing. Uceasioriuil
shout would sound on deck, but wha
the men were about could not conceive
The door of the forward berth wa
opened, and Grace entered the cabir
Her face was white as death her larg
eyes, which seemed Of coal blacknes
In the lamplight and by contrast wit
the hue of her cheeks sparkled Nit
alarm. She swept them round th
cabin as though she expected to behol
one knows not what sort Of horror, the
came to my side and linked my arr
tightly in hers.
oh. Herbert, tell me the truth. Whs
has happened?"
Nothing serious, darling. Do 80
not feel we are aloat and sailing Draw
ly?"
But Just new?-Did not the yacl
turn over? Something was broken g
deck, and the men began to shrek"
And so did you, Grace" said I, tryiI
to smile"
But if we should be drowned2' 81
cried, drawing herself closer to me ar
fastening her sweet. terrified eyes upc
my face.
shook my head, still preserving n
smile, Though Heaven knows, had n