Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-05-08
The STORY Teller.
THE RESCUE.
An Old Sailors Stroke of
Fortune.
BY BLUE JACKET.

BY BLUE JACKET.
$50 you would like to hear how I, 8
poor sailor, chanced to marry pretty
wife, possessed of thousands and with.
out exception, mistress of the finest
estate in Santos
"WelI, come out on the piazza. We
have fine view of the bay there and
I love to listen to the roar of the surf
1t reminds me of old times, you know
Light fresh cigar. You have nothing
like them in the States I can assure
YOU of that; and now for my yarn.
"Many years ago I was chief mate
on board of Down East brig engaged
in the South American trade. The
captain was good enough at heart, but
he did love gold dollar so much tina.
the passion of avarice at times warped
the better and prevailing instincts Of
his, nature. -
sI was young, careless, and free,
without soul living I could claim as
kin, and as happy in my lone state as
you can we'll imagine. had but little
responsibility on my shoulders, the
skipper taking entire control, even to
details. s..
"We were to the southwark of the
line, outward bound, and upon the
eventful night in question, which was
truly an era in my life, 1 had the first
watch. The wind was light, and the
ocean as calm as though asleep. -
"We had all our light kites set to
WOO the gentle breeze, running through
the water not over three knots an
hour. Absorbed in my own thoughts
and reflections, was leaning idly over
the taffrail watching the bubbles and
phosphorescent light playing about the
restless rudder, when touch on my
arm from the man at the wheel brought
me to myself.
"tWhat do you call that, sir?' he
Inquired, pointing over the quarter.
"I gazed in the direction pointed out
by the man, and, to my intense sur
prise, saw bright light, not unlike
ball of fire, which threw a lurid, tre.
mulous light across the dark waters.
"sIt can't be the moon, sir p said
the seaman, with an inquiring look.
"sThe moon rising in a quarter
bearing south-southwest? No; that
is some craft on fire, as sure as my
name is John Watkins, and I'll rouse
out the captain at once
"In another instant Twas rapping
in no gentle manner at the shippers
stateroom, who turned out in hurry.
"What-what is the matter p he
stammered, rubbing his eyes. lis
there squall comingP'
"'No, sir; it's as pretty night as 1
ever saw. But, Captain Thompson,
there is vessel on fire to leeward of
US, and I will, if you say 80, run down
to her assistance.
"sI'll be on deck in moment.
Don't be in hurry-don't like to run
the vessel off her course-prolongs
her VOYAGE and leaving the sleepy
skipper grumbling to himself, regain
ed the deck.
"In a few moments the old fellow
was by my side.
"It will cost money to take all
hands off yon craft and feed them till
we make port
"'True, sir; but is human life to be
reckoned or valued by money! In all
probability there are poor fellows there
in danger of their lives, who, if we
leave them to their fate, would place
US on footing with pirates : and turn
ing abruptly, walk aft, having ex-
pressed my indignation in a voice tre-
mulous with anger.
"Bless my soul, Mr.. Watkins, I would
not leave any one to perish. was only
calculating the chances in commercial
point of view. You can hoist the long
boat out if you like, and take four of
the boys for a crew to pull you to her.
She will burn down to the waters
edge if you wait for US to get there.
1t is growing calm all the time, and to
tell the truth, Mr.. Watkins, would
advise you to bear hand and get back
as soon as possible, for I don't like the
looks of the weather. The air is hot
and oppressive like
SIN ten minutes I had the long boat
over the side, and a stout, weatherly
craft she was, too. A bag of biscuits,
with a beaker of water, was slowed
away in the stern sheets, and bidding
the lads to give way with will, we
showed off from the side of the old
brig. I saw the tall, bent form of
Captain Thompson peering down upon
me for a moment, but the next instant
the boat rose on the bosom of swell,
and that was the last I ever saw of my
old skipper.
"The brig quickly faded from sight,
hid by thin mist or haze which had
suddenly arisen, and in fact, I was
conscious of a strange change in the
appearance of the weather. The stars
had entirely disappeared from the fir
mament, hid behind the gauzy veil
which had so mysteriously arisen, and
low down on the horizon I noted a
dark bank of clouds. The heat was
intense, the stout seamen wiping the
perspiration from their streaming
brows as they toiled at their oars. Not
u breath of air disturbed the CLASSY