The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1894-09-06
A PERIL OF THE SEA.

WCiC SatINl GU 0pOu Vic main w NJ
INDUCING in that yer pleasing pas.
time OF sailors, yarn-spining.
The vessel was homeward bound
from Rio ~JaneirO. after IA very pros
porous voyage.
Darkness was approaching as the
chief OH er rose to his feet and cast
a searching look about the horison.
When his eyes rOamcd toward the
West they rested for some moments
on a small bank OF leaden clouds
which seemed to be working up from
the water.
''Ah, well have a change Of wind
before midnight. and. if l make no
mistake, ii Will bring nasty weather
with it,"
Were nearing Cape Hatteras and
must begin TO look out for squalls.
You might clue up and furl the light
sails so that we will be prepared for
whatever comes If it looks too bad,
give me a call. I'm going below
The order which the mate mad re-
ceived regarding the sails was soon
executed, and the loftier pieces of the
Dark's canvas were >nugly slowed.
AS the sailors were coming down TO
the deck the vessels bell struck eight,
the time for changing watches"
The second mate with his men
sought their hunks 20 have IA few
hours needed rest, while the chief
o1.cer, with hi. portion Of the crew,
took charge.
The eaman who came aft to relieve
the wheel was a mere lad in years
but as Skillful a mariner is any on
board, and a prime favOrite with all.
as could lie seen by the kindly ton
Of the mates voice as he addressed
the youth.
Watch her close. Harry, my SON..
If we have a shift Of wind it'll come
quick, and we don't want to get
taken Gback."
LAY, ay, sir" was the respectful
reply Of the boy as he laid his hands
on the spokes Of the wheel.
Cope. -hued, feather.shaped clouds
now began TO chase each other across
the starry canopy Of Heaven.
AS the gaze OF the helmsman alter
mated between the compass. the sails,
AIN tlS hOl l.Ou, TX was dldIIlcu W
see away upon the ~Starhoard bow
something that appeared like a heavy
black shaft. reaching up from the
water, IN the shape of a tunnel. until
it met another similar in formation,
which seemed to drop from the skies.
There's a spout, sir" he said to
the mate.
LAY, av. I've been looking at it.
It's a heavy one, too. As they al
ways work to wind'ard, Pm afraid
she'll come uncOmfortahly neal. Keep
the vessels head noI'west for awhile,
and I'll speak to the skipper. I'd
rather he'd be on deck when those
fellows are about"
Obeying the order, Harry threw
the wheel over, ana the bark swung
of until the dangerous column Of
water seemed to be a little forward
or amid ships.
Mr.. Gorham, the officer, hurried to
the companion. way and Called
captain Bruce, there's a heavy
waterspout making down upon us.
Perhaps you'd like 10 take a look at
her.
''Ay, ay," came a voice from the
cabin, and the next instant the mas
ter was on deck.
danger impending, another at the
compass, before he said quickly, 'let
her go west Then shouted: Check
in the yards about four points to
port. We must work out Of its
course. l will get my rife, if it
m too near l will try to break it"
and with hal he hurried below.
The wind, which up to this mo-
ment, had been reasonably strong,
now died out TO a start calm"
The sails were trimmed, but the
Roadway of the vessel was slacken.
ing, for she had lost her propelling
power.
The speed of the terrible volume
of water. power which was approach
ing them, vas not checked, and when
the captain reappeared on deck with
rife in hand, the heavy black clouds
hung over the vessel like a pail, and
the whirl Of the angry, seething ele-
ment was borne to the ears OF the
frightened and Mortified seamen as
they watched the outcOming OF the
merciless circling shaft!
Quickly the weapon OF the cOm-
mander was brought to his shoulder,
and was instantly followed by u flash
and report. Then anne the deluge.
Tens upon tons Of water mingled
with sand fell upon the deck. which
threatened to submerge the vessel
and crowd her down into the fright.