Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-01-05

stocked TO my sat siaction. i therefore
repaired 10 my cabin and procured tho
boats compass, some charts, n Sex
tant, and other necessary articles such
as the Nautical Almanac" and PEN
ellis and paper where-with to work out
my observations. which placed very
carefully In the locker in the stern
sheets Of the boat.
allowed Mary to help me, that the
occupat on might divert her mind from
the overwhelming thoughts which the
gradual settling OF the ship on which
we stood must have excited In the
strongest and brayest mind; and, in
deed, l worked busily and eagerly to
guard myself against any terror that
might come upon me. She 1t was who
suggested that we should provide our
selves with lamps and oil; and
shipped lantern TO hoist at our mast
head when the darkness came, and the
bulls-eye lamp 10 enable me to work
out observations OF the stars. which
intended to make when the night fell.
To all these things, which sound nu-
mcrous, but In reality occupied but
little space, ! added can Of oil, meshes
for the lamps, top coats, oil-skins and
rugs to protect us ut night, 20 that the
afternoon vas vel advanced before
we had ended our preparations. Mean
while, the boatswain had stcr ped II top
gal ant stun'-sail boom 10 serve us for
a mast, well stayed, with n block and
halyards nc the masthead to serve
for hosting n flag or lantern, and n
spare top-gal!ant stun'-sail to act as q
sail.
BY this tine the wind had complete
ly died away; peaceful deep-blue sky
stretched from horizon TO horizon; and
the agitation OF the sea had subsidized
into n long and silent swell, which
washed up against tho ships sides,
scarcely caus ny her to roll, so deep
had she sunk in the water
lnow thought 1t high time to lower
tho boat and bring her long-side, as
our calculations Oh the length OF time
to be occupied by tho ship in sinking
might be ialsilicd to our destruction by
her suddenly going stern down with us
on board.
We til reforo lowered the boat and
got the gaugway ladder over the side.
Tho boItswain got INTO tbs boat first
70 help Mary into hyr then took the
steward by the arms and brought him
along smurtly, us there was danger in
keeping tho boat washing against the
ship II e. lie resist at first, and
only smiled vacant when threatened
TO Leave him; but on tho boit,wain
crying out that biz wi was waiting
for him, the poor i'll ct got imsclf to-
gethor with n scramble, and went 80
hastily over tho Ean"wuy that no mar
rowly escaped n ducking.
paused moment at tho gangway
and looked ~ oun |. striving 10 rrmcm-
Der II there WAS tiny thing we had Tor
gotten witch would be OF some use to
us. NJ ny watched mo inNiou,ly, and
called TO mo by my Christian name, at
the mo time extending h'r arms.
would not keep her in suspcns, mo-
ment, and ut once dropped mo the
boat. She graspcd and fondl,d my
hand. and drew mc close beside her
IL should havo gone on board AGAIN
had you delayed coming" she whis-
percd.
The bontswain showed tho boat &
head OF, and We each Slapped an oai
milo away from the ship; and then.
from n stran"o and wild curiosity to
behold the ship sink, and sti in ouI
hearts clinging 10 her not only rs tho
homo wherein we had found shelter
for many days past, but as tho only
visible object in al tho stupcmdous
reach Of waters, VIC threw In tho oari
aud sat watching her.
AS some hours had elapsed since we
had tasted food, opened n tin OF meat
aud prepared meal. Tho boaiswain
ate heartily, and 50 did tho steward;
but could not prevail upon Mary 20
take more than biscuit aud sherry
and-water.
Indeed. rs the evening approached,
our position Affected her more deeply,
aud often, after she had est her eyes
toward the horizon, would SEQ her
lirs whispering prayer, and feel her
hand Tightening on mine.
The ship still iloated. but sho was so
low In thl water Tat | every minute
expected to sec her vanish. The water
was a5uve her main CHAINS, anu could
only attribute hur obstinacy In not
sinking TO TIC great quantity Of wood
both In cases aud goods-which COM
posed her cargo.
was telling Mary that ere the sun
sunk again We might bc ON board a
slip, and whispering any words of en-
enlargement and hope TO her, when
was startled by the boatswain cryingi
Now she's gonel Look ut hrr!'
turned my eyes toward the ship
and could scarcely credit my sense,
| when found that her hull had van
ishod, and that nothing was to be seer
OF her but her spars, which were al
AslnnL stern ward.
held my breath ne ! saw the mast
sink lowcr mi lower. First tho cross
ia k yard was submerged. tho gaffwitl
/ tho ensign hanging dead at tbs peak
tho IN dn.ynrd; presently only tn
mnin-tOp-mRst cross-treo was visible
dark cross upon the water; they van
ished. NJ lhu sans moment tho sui
disappeared behind tho horizon; an,
now we were alono ON tho great, breath
ing deep, with NIL tho eastern sky grow
ing dark Ns VIC watched.
"I's mi over, "Tail the boatswair
breaking to silence. and speaking i
u hollow tone. mo Twin man'll SO
the Grosvcnor AGAIN.
Mary shivorcd and leaned again,
me. | took up rug and folded
around hor, and kissed her forehead.
Darkness came down very quickly
and, that we might lose no chance {
being seen by any distant vessel.
lighted tho ships lantern aud hoiste
il at tho masthead. also lighted III
bull's-eye lamp and set it in the sterI
sheets
MARY" whispered. II will MAX
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