Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-05-06

E$ "A *
SySy them: they scarcely
WSgSFS$ Es-s seemed to form
STSaFiS,E part of the tragedy
which was tban be-
Ing enacted. When ! recovered my
senses my first endeavor was to get
to my feet, but l found l was pinned
to the deck, by reason of the mast hav-
Ing fallen across my body. j believed
that was otherwise unharmed, for 1t
did not appear to me that any OF my
bones were broken. But was in this
miserable positioI-I was lying With
my face to the deck. and l could not
see a yard around me. A faint light
betokened that the sun was rising, and
was making its way even into the dis
NAL cave in which our ship was shared =;
otherwise l should have been In total
darkness. l sighed in bitterness OF
spirit: the cup of happiness was dashed
from my lips: all hope was gone. I
should die without word Of love from
my wife; for no power In the world
could, at that moment. have convinced
me that she. with my boy. was not a
passenger in The Rising Sun. Had I
not seen the likeness In little Bob's
beautiful face? Had not heard my
wife's voice in the dark terror Of the
night? All my efforts to raise the
weight which held me to the deck were
vain. and groaned aloud.
Are you alive. then. mater" voice
asked.
/ managed to stretch forth my hand,
and 1t reached the hand OF man who
was pinned to the deck by the mast. as
I was.
Can you see?" asked.
Yes; and that is all can do"
Have you been conscious all the
night?"
"All the night, worse luck. have
been envying you"
you need not do SO. In what posi-
tion are we?"
"The ship is sinking: in a few min
utes we shall reach the waterline."
And them"
He laughed bitterly. you're no SAIL
or, or you would not ask. And then?
Why, then, Death-and l shall be glad
to meet 1t. My two legs are broken"
II pity you. l pity you!" l sighed.
Are you strong enough to talk to
me?"
Talking does me good. shan't do
much more OF 1t in this world. What
Is 1t you want to know"
Where are the passengers?"
In the sea, half of them-out Of their
trouble. wish I was out of mine.
I've seen them washed away by twos
and threes and half dozens all through
the night. The sea would have taken
me. too. but this cursed mast wouldn't
bulge an inch. Ais well for them.
Goodnight"
In his daredevil. defiant mood, the
man. whoever he was-for never saw
his face-actually sung these words.
For heavens sake" implored, do
not answer me in that reckless way.
You have been conscious all the night,
you say. Has anything been done with
the boats?"
"Yes. One quarter-boat was
launched. and got safely out OF this
was also launched, and 1t isn't known
what has become of it."
ANY passengers in the flrst?"
"A few."
Women and children"
mot likely. Men. Those who could
scramble in first"
Mate, do you understand the posi-
lion am in. can't see yard around
ne. have a wife and child on board.
The brutes! the brutes! not to save
he women and children first! There
ire women and children still on deck,
ue there not?"
"Yes. You want to know II your wife
s among them. What sort of wom-
in?"
Fair. with light auburn hair. and
blue eyes"
"Yes, yes--I knew one Bah!
what's the use of thinking. now that
Everything has come to an end?"
Look, mater l cried, for l felt that
We were sinking fast. "Look, for Gods
,ake! Do you see such woman among
hose still left? And has she not
.hild with herr"
What business is 1t of miner" he re-
,lied. groaning with pain. my eyes
are getting too dim to see. Stay,
.hough, can just make out woman
With fair hair But the worlds full
| If them!'
His pain must have been very great.
from the way he dragged out his
words.
"If could relieve you. would do
10. Go on. Tell mo what the woman
Is doing?"
"She has child in her arms"
"A boy?"
"I should say So"
MY boy-my son! Thank God!
There may be still a chance for them.
All. II could but speak one word to
them. Go on-go on"
"She is leaning over the bulwarks-
ali. see what for. There Is spar IN
The water, and a man, with one arm
over 1t. has lashed little girl to 1t.
see-I see! He intends to try ana
save the lot of them. He Is calling
out to the women--I can not hear what
he says-ah, suppose he is telling her