The Bessemer indicator., 1894-06-09
sc, had met Win head winds constanA

~ olncc leaving tno Onhnuei, anu W
the fourth week out was struck By Z
day long the good ship labored with
the mountainous waves. leapinS and
plunging till It seemed az though tha
groanipg, creakiny maats must come
out Of her. But she was o stanchi
well built craft, and had passed safely
through many q worse tempest. 4
with the fall Of the night, the Snia
increased in violence. The sails had
been reduced to the heavy lower cn4.
vas, Just sufficient to steady the vessel.
The captain remained on deck. taking Z
position near the rail, where he could
keep an eye on the rigging. Near hini'
sheltered by the bulwarks, sat little
Joby, on coil Of rope. sc &Nj
At FIRST the noise and confusion, th4
thunder OF the water, tho shriek OF
the wind through the cordage, and the
wild pitching Of the ship had frishtens
ed the boy. But when, by the Light
Of lantern near by. he saw the cap
tain's face, he felt relieved, and rathea
enjoyed the excitement of the storm.
Suddenly, lust rs the captain was
shouting an order through his trumpet
a vast billow seemed to rise out OF the
gloom and bear down upon the ship.
1t struck the vessels side with an
nwful roar, throwing tons Of water
on the deck. Before he could save hini'
self, the captain was lifted from his
feet and flung overheard into the sea.
Almost at the same instant small
figure was seen to leap upon the rail.
cling there moment. and then lenp
outward into the darkness and DIS
appear. .,,i ,ss,Ti;;J
sMan overboardr' s--'''l
The terrible cry rang above the roar
of tho tempest. For moment nll was
panic and confusion. Then. under the
mates command tho ship was rounded
to, with her head to the wind, and
boat ordered to be lowered.
mo use," said one of the men to tho
mate, who stood by tho rail near where
the captain had fallen overheard. I'VE
could never find them In the daylight,
let alone such night ms this"
II am afraid not" answered the mate
sadly. Poor old man! Poor boy!
Hark! what was thatT'
Falcon, ahoyr' The shout came
long md strong from the darkness,
| not twenty yards from where the ship
lay.
voices.
Delay your jaw there. ye lubbers!
|
or we'l be adrift."
Llnei Us! What could he mean3 But
the mate had already discovered .
curious thing-a light but strong rope,
fastened to a ring In the bulwark and
extending outward into the darkness,
toward the spot whence the captains
voice proceeded. 1t was drawn tight,
as II some heavy burden were towing
at tho end of 1t.
In nn instant sturdy arms were pull.
ing at 1t with q will. Then q stout
rope was lowered. and up 1t like o
monkey, scrambled Joby, followed more
slowly by Capt. Essex.
Then great cheer went up. drown
ing the roar of the storm itself, as the
crew gathered about tho dripping
forms Of the captain and his little
friend. A few words served to explain
what had happened.
Joby, with his eye on tho captain,
had seen him carried overheard. He
knew that one end of the coil Of Light
though strong rope upon which he sat
was secured to the bulwnrk, for he
had tied the knot himself that very day.
Without pausing to think of bis own
danger, he took the free end Of tho
rope between his teeth, and was In the
water nearly as soon as the captain
himself
Though he could swim like duck,
he was borne helplessly along on the
crest Of the waves almost into the arms
Of Capt. Essex, who caught him as he
was sweeping by. Tho captain fasten-
cd the line about both of their bodies: !:
and partly swimming and partly towed
by the ship, they had managed to keep
their heads above the water until tho
Falcon was hove to.
The storm blew Itself out during tho
night, and the next morning dawued
clear and calm. All the forenoon Joby
was observed to BIO very grave and
important question. Finally he pre-
sented himself before the captain in
the cabin.
"Well. my boy" said the captain,
''what can do for your"
"A mans life Is worth good denl of
money, Isn't it7" asked Joby. twirling
his cap nervously US he spoke. mot q
boy like me, but grown man."
Yes, of course, my lad" replied the
captain. "A mans life Is supposed to
be the most valuable of his posses
sions"
"well, then" said Joby, twirling his
cnp still more nervously, "they say I
saved your life last night. don't sny
1t was much, you see. Any fellow who
can swim could do the same; only I
happened to do it"
"Yes. you certainly did 1t, Joby. And
what thenT
"You see-you sec," stammcred Joby,
I'll thought that would pay for my
passage; then 1t wouldn't be stealing,
you know"
Joby could not make out why the
captains honest eyes should suddenly
grow moist, nor why the captains right
arm almost squeezed tho breath out Of
his small body: nor yet why the cap.
tains voice should be so husky, us he
said:
"Joby, my lad, while old Tom Essex's
hulk holds together, and single tim.
ber Of him floats, you shnll never want
for berth, or be without friend."-
il