The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-10-27

r<%tINEM 'NS} SOOloI Cil&tA we ca pcCC-
iS1Mp@W ed. Everything had so
EtSSSss3sIiIir far been in our favor,
sDEYaa and it was only when
~ we got into the lati-
tude where we ought to have picked
up the northeast trades that, instead
of the usual breeze, we came in for
nothing but a succession OF light
winds and variables. With these we
gradually worked along until we got
5nto about 2O0 north latitude, when
We had q calm for two days. Shortly
before midnight on the second day a
tight breeze sprang up from the south
ward There was only enough wind
Co keep the sails full, and we glided
,slons at about two knots an hour,
with lazy little hobs to q swell that
same up from the eastward. All that
day the breeze continued light. The
sun beat down. with tremendous
power, and toward noon the breeze
died almost entirely away, though
she swell continued with long, low,
regular undulations. Away on our
port bow heavy clouds began to ap-
pear on the edge of the horizon, and
sthe glass was falling rapidly
Twas at the wheel in the first dog
watch. We lay heading all round the
compass, the ship having no steering
way, and I watched the bank of
clouds gathering ominously on our
port quarter The sun seemed to set
an q perfect atmosphere OF sulphur,
seaving some angry looking streaks of
red and gold that cleaned like flashes
OF lightning suddenly arrested. The
skipper paced the quarterback, oc-
easionally diving below to look at
the glass, and each time returning
with g. more anxious countenance,
and saying to the mate that he had
never seen the glass SO low since he
had been to sea.
"We'll reef her right down at four
bells, Dir. Jarvis" he said, "for there's
everything good, bad and Indifferent
mixed up in those clouds, like an
Irish stew"
As soon as the watch came on deck,
sail after sail was clewed up and furl.
ed, until we had nothing on her but
the two lower topsails, toremast,
staysail and storm staysail. The
ship, now denuded of her sails, stood
out like a skeleton against the back
ground of copper-colored clouds. The
men began to get somewhat depressed,
MS with a sky and atmosphere like
that we knew that it was no ordinary
blow that we had to expect; and 1
could hear the shrill voice of a little
shriveled-up seaman named Lester
,croalSing more than was his won't,
and calling to mind the time when he
was in the China seas some thirty
years ago; how the clouds had gather
sd up In the same way, and how the
chip foundered, and all hands werelost
except himself.
Here! cut that yarn, said one OF
the men.
"You're a regular old Jonah!'
The watch below turned in at eight
bells, having been cautioned to be
ready for q rouseout. paced the
deck for some time. The dirty ap-
rpeArance OF the weather. The ship
looked absolutely desolate, with her
dong, bare masts tapering away into
the darkness.
~ don't like the way that stuff
hangs about" said the skipper;
s'when it does come it will come with
"a rum" Here and there g. star would
family show itself, and the sea glitter
ed with 'phosphorescent lights. Hour
after hour we lay under the shadow
OF those dense clouds, waiting for the
storm to burst. The watch dragged
rfwearily on till close on midnight,
when suddenly a bright flash of light
ming seemed to part the clouds asun-
der then others followed in quick sue
,cession
"We'll catch it directly" piped the
shrill voice of Lester, and he was
right. Scarcely were the words IT.
Jared when we heard q roaring sound
an the distance, which increased into
g. whirling shrek. In an instant it
was upon US. Fortunately it struck
us ON the quarter. The ship for a
moment plunged forward, bury.
ing her bows in the sea.
AT the same instant there
was terrific bang as the topsails
were blown clean out of the bolt ropes
There was not q stitch of canvas left
ON her, and we scudded under bare
poles, the sea bubbling around US, q
mass OF seething foam. 1t was i'm
possible to stand upright, and we had
to crawl about as best we could.
We were thankful when daylight
came, az the horrors of the storm had
been much intensified by the pitchy
darkness. When the sun rose, sea and
-gky presented a wild and grand sight
The scud WAS flying s,bove us, and thu
foam below. Everything was rushint
.madlV before the hurricane. +hare
alone on this wild and desolate world
OF waters, was our gallant ship stag
!gering before the mighty blast, anc
fighting the waves like a living thing
For two whole days and nights W,
drove along, accompanied only by TIN
;incessant roar Of the storm. On tn
third night the ship seemed to los
her buoyancy, and by the heavy dead
ened way she rose and fell, we though