The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1892-01-30

he did his courage failed him and he
dared not do it. and soon the mist and
rain closed in about the vessel and
shut him from our sight.
1t was desperate pull to reach the
ship, and when we caught the line
| thrown to US from the Croyden the
| boat was half filed with water. That
night for us on board the ship was an
anxious one. Happily toward morn
| ing the gale showed signs of abating
| and before the break of day the sea.
which had risen so suddenly. began to
| go down. and as soon as it was pussi-
| BILE we lowered boat.
The Croydon had drifted more to
lceward than the wreck. but we could
soon make her out on the horizon. and
the well selected crew. with long and
steady stroke. soon shortened the dis
tance. As we drew nearer the form of
Thomas could be seen. leaning against
| the rail.
Thank Heaven! he's still alive!'
exclaimed Mr.. Horton. the officer in
charge of the boat. When we came
within hailing distance we shouted to
him words of CHEEKY greeting; but
Thomas made no response until within
a few boats length he sprang TO the
rail and screaming to keep Off hurled
pieces of wreckage which he had gath
cred abou; him ut the advancing boat.
He's mad!' we cried. the night on
board has made him mad
We stopped pulling. and then back
ed water to keep clear of the missiles
which the maniac never ceased throw
ing Mt us.
We hesitated, undecided what To do.
OF course we might dash up and board
the ship. but then there was danger
that Thomas. in his present excited
state, might throw himself into the sea
and be drowned. and so it was decided
best TO act with caution. and ii possi-
BILE to gain foothold by stealth. aud
then 10 seize and put him in the boat.
We pulled slowly around the ship. Mr..
Horton BY soothing words cndeavoring
to calm the maniac. who followed us
as we circled about, and with many
threats warned us to keep away.
When we reached the other side
horrible sight met our eyes. Propped
up against the stumps of the mizzen
mast was the skeleton which Thomas
mad dragged from beneath the fore
castle. and the grinning avs and
sightless sockets were surmounted by
his own ragged cap Around the
bones he had drawn the old peajacket
found in the cabin, and the long and
whItencd fingers hung limp below the
sleeves.
Aud as the ship plunged and lurched.
the arms swung to and fro and ratified
hn eI,,
bobbed and bobbed in hideous salu-
tation.
Horrors" cried MIR. Horton; Il
can't stand that. Give way, my lads.
and board herr
We shot the boat through the water
and in an instant had gained the ves-
sells deck. The moment the boat
touched the side Thomas fled and
grabbing the skeleton as he ran with
swiftnesS born of the terror that
possessed him, mounted the rigging.
and clutchng the dangling bones with
one hand and the shrouds with the
other, gazed down upon us with fear
distended eyes. With fair words and
promises We tried to tempt him down.
Dut there he hung. terror-strieken
maniac. If we approached he would
ascend still higher on his treacherous
support. until at last. crouching on the
extreme end of the swinging mast. he
swep, back and forth with the rolling
ship.
Every moment We feared that his
hold would loose but he, apparently
fearless of everything but us. gave
heed To nothing but our movements
down below. There seemed no escape
for him now except by the sea. and
while some of us manned the boat and
stood ready TO pick him up should he
jump. others climbed cautiously up
either side of the mast 10 seize him.
He betrayed no 81 IN that ne OBJ
served the men as slowly they APP
proached. and we hoped that his mad
ness was leaving him and his own quiet
nature returning. when just as Que of
his pursuers was about TO stretch forth
his hand and lay it on him lie sprang
To his feet. With wild shrek he
hugged the skeleton tn his breast and
hurried himself into the sea- and the
bubbles that iloated up from his feet
ing breath AS he aud his gaastly com
rade shot into the oceans depth mark.
ell his grave for au instant aud then
were swept away by the hurrying
waves.
Half an hour later the Henrietta was
blown into thousand fragments and
shortly after the Croydon making all
sail speedily left behind her the float
ing debris of the abandoned shiD.-N