The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1892-05-25
Trust the Pilot.


seaport, one of those easterly storms
came on, which so often prove fatal
to vessels and their crews on the
adjoining coast. The wind had
blown strongly from the northeast
for day or two, and, as it in
creased to a gale, fears was enter
tanned for the safety of ship which
had been from the commencement
of the northeaster standing off and
on in the bay. The officers were
apparently undecided as to which
way to direct her course, and had
once or twice refused the offer of a
pilot.
On the moning of the Sabbath.
many old weather. beaten tars were
seen standing on the highest point
of land in the place, eagerly watch
ing her through their glasses; and
mothers were listening with tremb-
ling to the remarks that were made
on the apparently doomed vessel.
Her destruction was inevitable.
unless she could make the harbor.
At length a number of resolute
men put out in a small schooner,
determined, if possible, to bring her
into port.
A tremendous sea was rolling in
to the bay, and as the little vessel
made her way out Of the harbor,
the scene became one of deep and
exciting interest. Now, lifted up on
the top of dark wave, she seemed
trembling on the verge of destruc-
ton; then, plunged INTO the trough
of the sea, she was lost to view, not
even the tops of the masts being
visible, though probably twenty feet
high; a landsman would have ex-
claimed, "She has gone to the bot
TOM" Thus alternately rising and
falling, she at length reached the
ship, hailed her, and rendered a
pilot, who was refused. Irritated
by the refusal, the skipper put his
little vessel about, and stood in for
the harbor, when a gun was dis
charged from the laborlng vessel,
and the signal for pilot run up
to the masthead.
In few minutes the vessels came
side by side; and the pilot spring
ing into the ships chains, was soon
on her deck.
The mysterious movements of the
vessel were explained. She had
taken pilot some days before, who
was ignorant of his duty. but who
persisted in his efforts to take the
ship in. When she was first hailed
from the schooner the captain was
below; but, upon hearing the false
pilot return the hail, he went on
deck, and at once reversed his an
swer by by firing the signal gun.
The new pilot requested the cap
tain and his truest man to take the
wheel gave orders for the stations
of the men; and charged the cap
tain, on the peril of his ship, not to
change her course a hand-breadth
but by his orders. His port and
bearing were those of a man conf
dent in his ability to save the yes
sci and as the sailors exchanged
looks with each other, it was evil
dent that hope was reviving in them.
All the canvass the ship could bear
was now spread to the gale, and,
while silence as of death reigned on
board, she was put on the port tack,
directly toward the foaming break
ers. On, on che hew,until il SEEM
ed from her nearness to the break
ers that destruction was inevitable.
"Shall put her about2" shouted
the CaDtain. in tones Indicative of
intense excitement.
Steady" was the calm reply of
the pilot, while The sea was boiling
like a caldrOn under her bows.
In another moment the same
calm, bold voice pronounced,