Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1894-04-04
TONED BY AN ICEBERG.
An Uncommon Streak of Good Fortune Met
 in Mid-Ocean.

in Mid-Ocean.
 When the captain of the Norwegian bark Wave King" sailed for the port of New York, he expected as matter of course to meet some icebergs on the way. He expected to engage tug boat to tow him into the harbor if he found the weather at Sandy Hook bois- terous or the wind too strong against him to sail in alone; but as for having l present of tow in the middle of the Atlantic, and free of charge, that was a piece of good fortune of which he never dreamed in his most economical moments. Yet, improbable as it seems, that was the treat he unexpectedly re- ceived
 Everything went very well with the bark until half through her voyage, when one day the mate (who was an arctic weather-prophet) report ad that ce-feldS and icebergs were near,
 He knew it, he said, because of the light loom along the ocean,s rim; also from the look and coldness of the sea- water. A bright look out was therefore kept, and sure enough about noon a great ice-feld, or shoe, became visible in the haze, dead ahead. There it lay tight in their track, and extended as far on each side as their best telescope was a ble to make it out.
 For several miles on both sides the bark now sailed back and forth, the lookouts searching for an opening in the beautiful, trembling, glistening white fields; but none could be found, although the fair blue water lay tempt ingly beyond, in full sight.
 Presently the captain noticed that the ice-feld, under the pressure of the fresh breeze, was advancing toward them, and he gave orders to "'bout ship"
 As the vessel went about large ice- berg was noticed right astern in the light haze, and, strange to relate, it also appeared to be coming toward them. At first this caused the sailors much uneasiness, for they feared to be caught between it and the field of ice.
 A little careful steering, however, places them to one side of the berg, and the men gathered along the ships side to watch the monster as it went maies- tically by.
 The captain knew that some strong lower. current was pushing against the underwater portion of this berg, and urging it along against the winds and surface currents. He wondered what would result when the berg and ice- field met. Which would gain the mas- tery? Why, the heavy berg, of course.
 Then bright idea flashed through his mind. which he instantly began to put in execution by ordering the steers man to turn the bark and run her right in between the berg.
 Going as close as he dared to the great ice-mountain, he ordered the crew to lower a boat and take rope and hitch on to it. This they did, malz- ing fast to a low pinnacle, or foot-hill. Then sail was shortened to fying-iIband spanl1er, just enough to keep her steady and take some strain off the rope; and To! the ship was towing kindly i'll the wake of the berg, while all hands awaited developments.
 They had pot long to wait Steadily and surely the ice-mountain bore down on the ice-feld. There came great crash, and little shiver of the berg that could be felt on the towline.
 With bang, and smash, and roar, the mighty contest went on But the berg proceeded serenely, leaving broad swath behind in which the bark rode safely until. clear water was once more reached.
 Then, as quickly as possible, the rope was cast off, all sail set, and respect ful distance put between the bark and berg. U 0. Davidson, in St. Nicholas.