Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-12-29


said.
Meanwhile they had braced up the
| fore-yards. and as the vessel came
round parallel with us, at q distance
Of about two-thirds OF q mile, they
bacLcd tho main-yards. and in a few
moments sho lay stcudy, riding finely
7 upor the water and keeping her decks
dry, THOUGH tho seas were splashing
over X freely,
Seeing now, as believed, that she
meant to stand by us, all my excite
ment broke out nirc3h. l cried out
that VIC were saved, and fell upon my
knees and thanAed God for his mercy.
Miss Robertson soDbcd aloud, and tho
steward mo down out OF the rigging
and danced about the deck, exclaiming
wildly and extending his arms toward
the ship. Cornish retained his grasp
of the wheel, but could not move his
eyes from the ship; the boatswain Glono
remained perfectly tranquil, and even
angered me by his hard, unconcerned
face.
GOOD Godr' 1 cried, do you not
value your li;ep Have you nothing TO
sayp See, she Il lying there, and will
wait till tho sea moderatos, and then
fetcn us on DOaru.
perhaps she may" he answered,
land it'll DO time enough for me to go
mad when / am saved"
And then he folded his arms afresh,
and leaned against tho rail. contem-
plating tho slip with tho same extra
ordinary Indifference.
The movements Of tho people on the
Russian bark were quite discernible by
the naked eye; and we all now, saving
tho boatswain, watched her with rapt
eagcrncss, tho steward stopping his
mad antics TO grasp tho poOp-rail, and
Eazo with dcvouring eyes.
We did not know what they would
do, and, indeed, we scarcely knew
what wo had to expect; for IL was plain
to us all that n boat would stand but q
poor chance In that violent sea. and
that we should run a greater risk Of
losing our lives by quitting the ship
than by staying in her
But would they not give us some
sign, some assurance. that they meant
to stand by usP
The agony OF my doubts Of their In
tentions was exquisite.
care they goin' TO lower that boatp"
exclaimed tho boatswain, suddenly
starting out Of his apathetic manner.
There was n crowd of men around
the starboard davits where the quarter
boat hung. but Il was not until 1
brought the telescope to bear upon
them that could see they were hold
ing an animated discussion.
The man who had motioned to us,
and whom | took to be master Of the
ship, stood aft, In company with two
others and woman, and gesticulated
very vehement y, sometimes pointing
ut us and sometimes ut the sea.
Ills meaning WAS intelligiblo enough
to ms, but was not disheartoned; for
though it was plain that he was repre-
senting the waves rs too rough TO per-
init them to lower boat, which was n
conclusive sign, Mt least, that those
whom he addressed were urging him
to save us; yet his refusal was no proof
that he did not mean 10 keep by us un-
til IL should be safe to send boat to
our ship.
"What will they do, Mr.. Royle." ex-
claimed Miss Robertson, speaking in n
voice sharpcned by the terrible excite
ment under which she labOred,
"Ihey will not leave us, answered.
"They are men and IL Is enough that
they should have seen you among us
10 make them stay. Ohl'' criod, sit
Is hard that those waves do not sub
sidei But patienccl The wind u lull-
ing-we have long spell OF daylight
before US. Would to Go she were an
English ship! / should have no fear
then. again pointed the glass at the
vessel.
pho oonto;,, ,,,. .tiu l,,io,,,in,. o.l
gesticulnting; but tho men had with
drawn from the quartcr-boat and were
watching us over tie bulwNrks.
Since the boat WAS not to be lowered,
why did he continue arguingp
| watched him intent y, watched
him until my eyes grew blcared and
the metal RIM Of thu telescope seemed
TO burn into the flesh around my eye.
put the glass down, and turned TO
glance at the flags streaming over my
head.
There she gocsl knew 1t. They
never shows no pityw exclaimed the
bontswain, in deep voice.
looked and saw the figures OF the
men hauling on tho lee m Embraces.
The yards swung round; the vessels
head paid of; they squared away for
ward, and in n few minutes her stern
was at us. and she went away, sol mn
ly rolling and plunglng; the main-top.
gallant-sail being shected home and
the yard hoisted rs she surged forward
on her course.
We remained staring after her-nc
one speaking one believing in the
reality OF what he beheld.
OF all the trials that had befallen us,
this was tho worst.
When the steward saw that we were
abandoned no uttered a loud scream
and rushed hcadlong down into the
cuddy.
took no notice of him.
Cornish ran from the wheel. and,
springing onto tho rail. shook his fist
Mt the departing vessel, raying and
cursing her with horrible, blnsphemous
words, black in the face with his made
and useless rage.
Tho boatswuin took his place and
grasped the wheel. never speaking a
word.
was aroused from the stupor that
had come over mo, the effect OF excess
sive emotion, by Miss Robertson putting
her hand in mine.
"Bo bravoP" she whispered. with
her mouth close to my ear. God Is
with MS still. My dead father would