Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-12-22
CHAPTER XIV.

As stood at the wheel | considered
how should act when the storm had
passed. And was Justified In specu-
lating, because now the sky was clear
right away round, and the stars large
aud bright, though n strong gale was
still blowing and keeping the sea voy
heavy.
We had been heading west ever since
We hove to, and travelling broadsdo on
dead south-south-east Now, II wind
and sea dropped. our business would
be to make sail. II possible, and, with
the wind holding north-north- west,
make an eight hours board north.
easterly, and then round and stand for
BermuGa.
This, of course, would depend upon
the weather.
IL was, however, more than possible
that We should be- picked up very soon
by some passing ship. 1t was not rs
though we were down away in the
South Pacific, or knocking about in
the poisonous Gulf of Guinea, or up in
the North Atlantic at GO degrees.
We were on great ocean high
way, crossed and recrossed by En-.
glish, American, Dutch and French
ships, to and from all parts Of the
world; and bad indeed would our
fortune be and baleiul the star under
which we sailed, II we were not over
hauled In short time and assistance
rendered us.
great though unexpressed am
bition OF mine was to save the ship and
navigate her myself, not necessarily
TO England, but To some port whence
could communicate with her owners
and ask for instructions.
AS l have elsewhere admitted, | was
entirely dependent on my profession,
my father having been retired army
surgeon, who had died extremely
poor. leaving me ut the age OF twelve
an orphan, with no other friend In the
world than the vicar OF tho parish
We dwell In, who generously sent mo
To school Tor two years Mt his own OK
pense, and then, after sounding my
mcllnations, apprenticed me TO the
sea.
Under such circumstances, there
fore, II would DO highly advantageous
TO my interests TO save the ship, since
my doing SO would prefer some def
mite claims upon the attention Of the
owners, or perhaps excite the notice of
another firm moro generous In their
dealings with their servants, and OF a
higher commercial standing.
While stood dreaming in this man
ncr at tho wheel | beheld figure adj
vance along the poop, and on its APP
proaoh | perceived the boatswain.
I've been sounding the well, Mr..
koyle, said he. 81 reused up on
sudden and went and did It, as | woke
up anxious; and there's bad news, sir
twelve inches o. water"
Twelve inchesl" cried.
"lts true enough. | found tho
bulrs-eyo ON the cuddy table, and the
rod don't tell no lies when it's proper
Tho pumps suck at four inches,
don't thoyP"
Eyes, sir"
Then that's rise OF eight inches
since halt,;past nine o'clock. What time
is II nowP"
Twenty minutes arter ten"
1--WE must man the pumps at once.
Call Cornish. You'll find the steward
LADDER
He paused moment to look round
him ut the weather, and then went
away.
could not doubt now that tho ship
was leaky, and after what we had en-
dured. and my fond expectation of saw
ing the vessel-and the miserable death
after all our hopes, that might be Ia
store for us-I felt that il was very
hard on us, and yielded to a fit OF
despair.
What struck home most to mo was
that my passionate druam to save
Mary Robertson might hU defeated
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