The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-10-19

bows to the cockpit The ladies had
reluctantly gone below. Dallett, as the
last of our fair companions disap-
peared through the hatch. looked at us
in some anxiety. II wish we had diff
ferent sort of a freight. boys. We are
going - have some nasty weather and
this shift makes q dead beat to wind
ward for fifteen miles: no joke under
the circumstances. Some of those girls
are going to be sick before we get
back"
1t was an isnominious retreat. We
had planned TO reach certain bay and
camp there for day or two, but the
adventure promised to be too perilous.
Burnbee beckoned 10 me and pointed
to the western sky. 1t was the color of
copper. Dallett was watching 1t anx-
lously. At last he brought her up shak-
ing in the wind and we reefed down
close at the word of command, leav-
ing hardly more than the peak, a bit of
canvas as big as a table cloth. 1--WE
cannot do it, said the helmsman. I'VE
must put about again and run for II.
The Travis are only twenty-five miles
down and there is a harbor where We
can lie.'
Going before the wind was so much
easier that the ladies ventured out.
quite delighted with the idea that the
weather had moderated The yacht no
longer pounded and surged but
skinned under her peak like a petrol
and as we did not think 1t worth while
to enlighten them as to our change of
course they We're entirely satisfied.
Only Miss Marcy. who was a better
sailor than the others, guessed the true
state of the case and she bravely held
her own council.
The copper sky changed to bronze
and a streak of lightning cleft 1t. The
horizon TO windward was q deep black
line, that broadened till The white crests
showed against 1t.
1t was tempest when II reached us
finally. The NJ. S. sprang her length
like wild horse under the lash and
the jib broke adrift. our passengers
were once more housed below, for we
could no longer pretend to keep up a
holiday tone and the room aft was
needed in working the boat.
When darkness overlook us we were
still afioat, for the NJ. 5. was an able
craft, but Burnbee and had been taxi
ing trick and trick at the pump for two
hours and the weather did not Tighten.
Suddenly. in lull, Dallett said, ''Do
you hear it?''
We listened. 1t came faint and fitful.
but deep and solemn. The tolling of a
bell.
When Burnbee spoke 1t was with the
voice of man who has heard news of
disaster. THAT Is Cairnstorme bell. |
know It's sound. 1t means that in the
dark we have overrun our distance and
there Is no harbor between us and the
cape"
We could not see Dallett's face, but
we gathered close to hear what he was
saying.
There is only one chance. boys. We
must make the lee of Cairnstorme."
But the reef"
"There Is an opening somewhere. I
have gone In by daylight in decent
weather. We must chance 1t tonight
II Is our only hope. Stand. by and be
ready If we strike. Better get the girls
out and tell them just how the land
lays" This was said in short, jerky
sentences, for Ii was not time to
waste many words.
We ran for Cairnstorme island In the
dark with what speed we could. but II
was like the progress OF a bird with
broken wing, and more than one sea
came aboard, wetting us all well, before
we approached the reef. Fitfully. but
louder with each repetition, sounded
the ominous bell.
All tltttIlN uISDlHy duucu variety 10
the storm and the frequent glare of the
lightning increased the terror Of the
more timid members of the party. As
we strained our eyes to make out II
possible the contour of the land a
strange thing occurred. A zigzag sheet
of violent flame swooped to the earth.
revealing distant expresses and live
oak trees and a stretch OF rocky, bar
rem shore In one vivid panorama. The
center of this supernal fire seemed to
focus upon the broad roof of "a gray and
gloomy dwelling, and almost lmmedi-
ately from that point rose the red glare
of a confiagration.
Exclamations of surprise and terror
followed the moment of silence during
which we realized what had happened.
Cairnstorme house had been struck by
lightning. II was Dallett who changed
the current of our thoughts with q.
CHEEKY exclamation.
Mature Is working our way, boys,
by that torch we will get in safe"
Indeed, 1t was obvious that nothing
more favorable to us In our dilemma
could have happened. The great mass
Of flame that soon lit the sky and re-
Elected on the sombre masses Of the
shone across the crested, turb ilent
waves on which our little yacht tossed
1t was a friendly beacon.
As we neared the shore the booming
Of the great bell increased during every
Ilull Of the tempest. All on board heard
1t and more than one heart quaked at
the sound. for superstition Is latent In
most human breasts, however well we
may conceal the fact from ourselves or
our neighbors.
Dallett found the opening Of the reef
and we stood through into safety, drop
ping our kedge at last in tn, quiet water
island. The change from the tension of
anxiety and the great discomfort 0flqur