The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-12-13
We may have to leave

In few moments the welcome re-
sponse came back, ''She is all right, SIR
"That's good. Hold her ready until
sound the pumps and see il we have
sprung a leak" He hurried to his room
and secured the sounding rod and line;
as most of the water had now rolled off
from the main deck he succeeded in
reaching the pump.
Quickly dropping the iron down the
tube until it reached the keelson, he
soon drew it up again.
six feet of water in the hold" he ex-
claimed. '.She'll go down under us.
Launch the boat"-and as he again has
tened to the cabin, this time to procure
what provisions might be handy, one Of
the men announced:
1.-THE main hatch is stove in, and the
cargo is all a-wash."
This report had the effect of acceler-
ating the officers movements, and seiz-
ing what few eatables were at hand in
the pantry he fastened to join his ship
mates, who had succeeded in getting the
boat ahoat without damage.
Fearing to be in too close proximity
to the bark when she should founder,
they pulled rapidly away in the darkness,
and as day broke they found themselves
alone upon the ocean, but ere the sun
was an hour high the black smoke OF
steamer was deserted upon the horizon,
and before the great luminary had
reached the zenith they were safe on
board a large vessel which was bound
to Baltimore.
The captain heard their story with
feelings Of sadness and extended to the
shipwrecked mariners all the hospitali-
ty that lay in his power. When the
steamer reached port the news of the
loss of the Beatrice was flashed from
city to city throughout the continent,
and many were the hearts made sorrow
full by the terrible tale.
But did the bark founder?
About an hour after the second mate
had so hurriedly abandoned the sup
posed sinking craft, the boy, Harry, be.
gan to return to consciousness. Slowly
he raised his head and looked around.
The night was clear now, but strange
sounds fell upon his ear. It was the
thrashing and chatting of the tattered
sails and broken yards that still hung
from aloft.
lettering to his feet, the lad became
,aware that he was suffering most in
tense pain about the body and limbs,
but as he took few steps he was over
joyed to find that no bones had been
fractured and the pain was only from
external bruises.
AS the youth was endeavoring to re-
call the terrible scene through which he
had passed, he heard a feeble moan is
suing from the port side of the after
house, and staggering to that portion of
the vessel he was delighted to see the
beloved form of his benefactor, the cap
tain, who was vainly striving to drag
himself along the deck toward the
wheel.
AS the master looked up he murmured
feebly:
"Ah, Harry, my bcsl Has the good
Lord spared usf'
''Yes, sir. But do not know how
many more are left"
$50 and see, boy, go and see. Some
may be suffering and need assistance"
'sBut you yourself, sir; can I not do
something for you, STRIP
CLEVER mind me. Look to your ship
mates," was the brave reply, though the
master with difficulty suppressed his
groans.
Oheying the order Harry searched
the vessel, but returned with the mourn.
full reply that they Two were alone.
swell, my lad, we must do the best
we CAM" was the response Of the cap
tain.
When morning broke the practiced
eye of the captain discovered the ab-
sence of the long boat.
500 forward, Harry, and see if the
craft has been stove in or launched
clear"
The boy fastened to obey, and re-
turred with the report that the lashings
had been cut.
'"Fhank heaven!' murmured Captain
Bruce. s'Some of our companions have
escaped and have taken to the boat fear
ing that the bark would founder"
All through the day the captain and
the lad strained their eyes in search of
q sail, but none appeared to gladden.
their sight, and again night enshrouded
them in gloom.
Upon the fourth morning Harry, who
was early astir, startled the captain by
calling:
'Come on deck, sir. There is large
tovboat not more than five miles
away"
"Set the ensign union down. It will
nos do to let him pass u.s."
the boy had no mead to display the
signal of distress, for TIE sharp eyes Of
ths captain Of the tug had espied the
bark long before the youth had seen the
steamer.
As the rescuing craft rounded up IN
der the stern of the Beatrice, the win
dcws in the pilot house went down, a
head protruded and a voice called:
SHOW many of you are aboard?'
sOnly two, sir!' replied Harry.
'sAre you able to lend us hand in
getting line out?"
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