The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-25

for two or three hours very soundly.
never once moving when the cannon was
discharged, frequent as the report had
been. On my descending she begged me
TO take her on deck.
| L was about to make Somo answer,
when heard aloud and, as it appeared
! 10 me, fearful cry on deck. Before
! could spring TO my feet some one
! heavily thumped the companion hatch,
! linging the sliding cover wide open an
| instant after, and Caudeis voice roared
| down.
Mr.. Barclay Mr. Barclay there's a
! big ship close aboard US She's rounding
] 20. Come on deck, for Gods sake, sir,
! that we may larn your wishes.
| Bidding Grace remain where she was.
! / sprang to the companion steps, and
! the first thing saw on emerging was n
large full-rigged ship, with paintedp ports
| under small canvass, and In the act OF
rounding TO, with her main topsail yard
! slowly swinging aback.
! Midway the height OF our little mzzcn
mast streamcd the ensign, which Caudcl
I or another of tho men had hoisted
/ the Union down; but our wrecked
! mnst and the fellow laboring at the
pump must have told our story to the
| sight of that ship with an eloquence that
| could gather but little emphasis
| from the signal of distress streaming
! like n square OF flame half mast high at
| our stern.
The ship, a noble structure, was well
| within hail, rolling somewhat heavily,
| but with n majestical slow motion.
! There was little knot OF people on the
| poop, and a man standing near them,
! but alone; as l watched him he took
4 Il - L. Iii, trt,
! pet from the hand of the seaman who
| had run to him with it.
Now, Mr. Barclay" Grid Caudel, in q
| a voice vibrating with excitement,
there's yours and the lady's hopper
! tunity, sir. But what's your instruc-
| tions? what's your wishes, sir?"
My wishes? How can you ask? We
! must leave the Spitfire. She is already
half crowned. She will sink when you
stop pumping"
Right, SIR" he exclaimed; and with
out another word he posted himself at
the rail in n posture OF attention, his
! eyes upon the ship.
! Soe was apparently vessel bound TO
some Indian or Australian port, and
seemingly full Of passengers, for, even
as l stood watching, the people in twos
| and threes arrived on the poop or got
! upon the lldI0-utth W
! view us. Whenever she hove her stern
up, gay with what might have passed as
! gilt quarter badges, / could read her
name in long, white letters, -" Carthu-
! sian-London.
81" Yacht ahoy !" now came in a hearty
! tempestuous shout through the speak
! ing-trumpet which the man had before
noticed lifted TO his lips.
Halloo!" shouted Caudel in re-
! sponse.
What is wrong with you?"
"Wessel's maxim water fast, as We
can see." shrieked Caudel, pointing at
! our wrecked and naked mast, what
| our state is. The owner and lady g
aboard, and want to leave the yacht.
Will you stand by till you can receive
| 'em, sirI"
The man with the speakng-trumpet
elevated his hand, in token that he
heard, and appeared to consult with an
other figure that had drawn TO his side.
He then took long look round at the
weather, and afterwards put the tube
again to his mouth.
Yacht ahoy !"
"Halloor
I'VE will stand by you: but we cannot
LAUGH boat yet. Does the water gain
rapidly upon your
I've can keep her afoat for some
hours. sir"
Tue man again elevated his hand, and
crossed to the weather side OF his ship
to signify, / presume, that there was
nothing more to be said.
I'm two or three hours, sir, you and
the lady'll be safe aboard, cried Caudel.
THE winds falling fast, and by tha;
time the seal be fiat enough for one OF
G,a
/ re-entered the cabin, and found
Grace standing, supporting herself at
the table. Her attitude was full OF ex-
pectancy and fear.
what have they been crying out on
deck, Hcrbert?" she exclaimed.
There is a big ship close by US, darl-
ing" / answered. THE weather is fast
moderating, and by noon hope to have
you safe on board OF her."
ON board of her y she cried. with her
eyes full Of wonder and alarm. do
you mean to leave the yacht?"
YES. l have heart enough to tell you
the truth now she has sprung a leak
and is taking I'm water rapidly, and we
must abandon her"
She dropped upon the locker with her
hands clasped.
DO you tell me she Is sinkingY
1--WE must abandon her." / cried.
Put on your hat and jacket. my darl-
ing. The deck Is comparatively safe
now, and wish the people on board the
ship To see you.
She was so overwhelmed, however, by
the news that she appeared incapable of
motion. procured her jacket and hat,
and presently helped her to put them
on, and then, grasping her firmly by the
waist. supported her 10 the companion
steps and carefully and with difficulty
got her on deck, making her sit under
the lee Of the weather bulwark, where
she would be visible enough to the peo-
pie OF the ship at every windwarG roll
of the yacht and crouchcd beside her