The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-12-13
A PERIL OF T'HE SEA-


spinning.
The vessel was homeward bound from
Rio Janeiro after very prosperous voy-
age.
Darkness was approaching as the chief
officer rose to his feet and cast a search
ing look about the horizon. When his
eyes roamed toward the west they rest
ed for some moments on a small bank
of leaden clouds which seemed to be
working up from the water.
s'Ah, we'll have change of wind be-
fore midnight, and, if make no mis-
take, it will bring nasty weather with
it,
"We're nearing Cape Hatteras and
must begin to look out for squalls. You
might clew up and furl the light sails SO
that we will be prepared for whatever
comes. If it looks too bad give me a
call, I'm going below
The second mate with his men sought
their hunks to have few hours needed
rest, while the chief officer, with his
portion Of the crew, took charge.
The seaman who came aft to relieve
the wheel was mere lad in years, but
as skillful mariner as any on board
and prime favorite with all, as could
be seen by the kindly tone of the mates
voice as he addressed the youth.
"Watch her close, Harry, my son. If
we have shift Of wind it'll come quick,
and we don't want to get taken aback."
"Aye, aye, SIR" was the respectful re-
ply Of the boy as he laid his hands on
the spokes of the wheel.
Copper hued, feather shaped clouds
now began to chase each other across
the starry canopy of heaven
AS the gaze of the helmsman alter
mated between the compass, the sails
and the horizon, he was alarmed to see
away upon the starboard bow some
thing that appeared like a heavy black
shaft, reaching up from the water, in
the shape of tunnel, until it met an
other similar in formation which seemed
to drop from the skies.
ssThere's spout, sir" he said to the
mate.
ssAye, aye. I've been looking at it. It's
a heavy one too. AS they always work
to wind ard, I'm afraid she'll come un-
comfortably near. Keep the vessels
head nor'west for awhile and I'll speak
to the skipper. I'd rather he'd be on
deck when those fellows are about"
Obeying the order, Harry threw the
wheel over, and the bark swung off
until the dangerous column of water
seemed to be little forward or amid.
ships.
Mr.. Gorham, the officer, hurried to
the companion way and called:
Captain Bruce, there's heavy water
spout making down upon us. Perhaps
you'd like to take look at her."
ssAye, ave." came voice from the
cabin, and the next instant the master
was on deck.
He took one hasty glance at the dam
ger impending, another at the compass,
before he said quickly, "Let her go
west" then shouted: .sCheck in the
yards about four points to port. We
must work out of it's course. I will get
my rife; if it comes too near will try
to break it," and with that he hurried
below.
The wind, which up to this moment
had been reasonably strong, now died
out to ssstark calm
The sails were trimmed, but the head
way of the vessel was slackening, for
she had lost her propelling power.
The speed of the terrible volume Of
water power which was approaching
them was not checked, and when the
captain reappeared on deck with rifle in
hand the heavy black clouds hung over
the vessel like a pail, and the whirl of
the angry, seething element was borne
to the ears of the frightened and herri-
fed seamen as they watched the out
coming Of the merciless circling shaft!
Quickly the weapon of the commander
was brought to his shoulder, and was
instantly followed by flash and re-
port. Then came the deluge.
Tons upon tons Of water, mingled
with sand, fell upon the deck, which
threatened to submerge the vessel and
crowd her down into the frightful vor-
tex which yawned close under the stern.
Sails and spars hung wreck from
aloft, while skylights and bulwarks
were crushed like eggshells in the grasp
of giant.
This latter calamity, however, proved
to be blessing, as it allowed the vast
volume of water to flow freely off into
the sea.
Harry had been knocked senseless
over the wheel and there lay more dead
than alive.
But the captainl Where was he? His
voice was silent.
The second mate, who with his watch
had been below, rushed affrighted from
the cabin through the after companion
way.
''For Gods sake, what has happened?'
he exclaimed. 'Have we been in col
lision?"
But he received no answer, for there
was no one to reply.
By the feeble light Of the stars, which
now began to twinkle forth, the officer
observed the boy where he had fallen,
and casting hasty glance at the pallid
features of the lad was convinced that
he was past all hope Of recovery.