Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1893-04-14
A THRILLING NARRATIVE.


Easily Told Than Believed.
There was an acquisition to The select
circle at the corner grocery. He wasa tall.
cadaverous looking individual, with shy
dropping ears, gobelin blue eyes, and a
pale, wan nose. The crowd Immediately
sized him up as a man with history, and
he wns asked to contribute something for
the edification Of those present.
His eyes wandered, with far away ex-
preston, over the faces Of the men grouped
around him, and then he said he would re-
late an incident that occurred while be was
1t sea, about fifteen years ago.
~ was born,D he began, Eat Portsmouth,
OF rich but honest parents. My father
owned line Of steamships, and, as I was
passionately fond Of the water, he said he
would put me in command Of steamer az
soon az was old enough, IL would start
az the bottom and learn all there was to be
learned about navigation. Igladly accept
Cd his proposition, and at the age OF fifteen
was installed on one of the boats as cabin
boy. From that position I was promoted,
a. soon as capable, to the different posts,
until at last reached that Of captain.
Then my father, to my great Joy, gave
me command Of the Sea Hawk, one OF the
trimmest vessels in his service It was a
proud day for me when started on my
hrst trip across the Atlantic. had made
several successful trips, and as the season
was about to close it was decided that my
next one was to be my last. 1t was, but
hardly III the sense my father meant 1t. On
this passage we had very small number
OF passengers, as the weather was quite
| disagreeable. We got off all right. and
had been out about four days when the
barometer indicated that we were to have
some ugly weather, and it was not mis-.
taken
have seen storms in my life, but never,
l think, one equal to that which, about
midnight broke upon us with all the un.
bridled fury Of the elements. The waves
reached height that would seem incred
ible to one who had never been in storm
at sea, and our vessel was tossed about as
though it had been chip. Suddenly there
was vivid flash Of lightning; then, above
the terrible tumult of the roaring waves
above the shrieks OF passengers, came tho
most soul terrifying clap of thunder it has
ever been my misfortune to hear. Imme
diately following great cracking OF tim
bers was heard amidships, and yawninl
chasm appeared in the center of the boat
w Law bSSh opi uSh W
"In another instant the ship, with fear
full plunge, settled rapidly and sank from
view, carrying every mortal on board with
her. l had been standing near the rail
and when l saw we were about to sink
leaped upon the bulwarks and sprang int
the water as far from the vessel as possibl,
to avoid being drawn down with her.
was fortunately successful How the nigh
passed know not. When the mornin,
dawned there was not a vestige of eithe,
wreck or human beings. was alone upo,
the broad bosom of the Atlantic, with no
30 much as a straw to cling to and thou
sand miles from land"
Here the narrator paused and gazed con
templatively into the stove. His audienc
sat with bated breath, staring at him will
Mortified countenances.
"What did you dor" one OF the mel
asked in awestruck tones.
"Oh," answered the stranger, II swan
ashore"
And, accompanied by his breath, he wen
forth into the still, chilly night. Tn
crowd in the store was mute for fully tel
minutes. Then one of them softly whis
tied, ''And you wink the other eye"-Chi
cago Figaro.