The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-09

we were heading for our destination.
IL had been 10y far the most disagreea-
bio day OF the voyage. The weather was
singularlv hot and oppressive. and the
sun was going down in an angry cop
DER, haze. We had only twice sighted
O;hcr vessels during the day, ana both
o. these were cargo steamers dying the
British flag. looked around the hori-
zon. IS Thompson gave me tde informa-
ton that by reckoning we were only
some thirty-nyc miles from our Gcsti-
nation, and replied: "Well. we've been
in luck 80 far. and suppose we should
get ashore by morning. don't care now
soon we 20; that sunset reminds me OF
one OF Two wild nights can remember
i'm Havana" Thought Thompson cast
rather an anxious glance round the hori-
zon for moment before he answered.
"}es." me said, Its going To blow. but
wen lie snug enough in the bay we're
heading for now, unless il blows "A hur-
Iicane"
lie took another look round as he
SPOKE. ard then went forward 10 where
the captain and chief officer were stand
ing talking. My remark about the
weather had been only sudden
thought, suggested by the look of the
sunset at the moment, but now it
seemed 20 me that tho seamen them
selves shared the impression. For the
last hour or two, the steamer, although
going steadily had evidently not been
az her full speed, but now | noticed
that as If in consequence of what
passed at the interview between the
officers. almost Immediately the speed
was increased. stood and watched The
sun sink slowly TO the sea line, then dip
into the crimson water, and then, at
last, as If with plunge, 60 out Of sight,
throwing up into the sky wild halo OF
misty lights, like some vast volcano in
eruption.
should have stayed on deck. but pres
emily Thompson came along, and ad-
vircd me, in friendly way. TO go below
and get some supper.
you'll want IL before morning. /
guess" he said, whether there's
storm or not"
"You expect one, then?" asked, as I
followed him down the companion
stairs.
Expect it? Well. yes. we're sure Of
wind, but il may not be much before we
get in. We ought to be up with the
land in two hours" He spoke seriously,
and felt sure he was more than usual
Is glad that we were not far from place
Of safety.
II did not seem TO affect Thompson's
meal, "A performance which il was hard
10 initiate. found myself listening
gnxiously far the frat sound of the
wind, and could hardly avoid start at
every noise that came down 20 us from
the deck overhead, as If il indicated the
beginning of q hurricane. Nothing
alarming happened, however. My com
panion was in no hurry TO finish his
meal, and I didn't care 10 show my un-
casness by leaving him. When at last
reached the deck II was dark. AS yet
the wind had not come up, but every
now and then could hear n long, low
moan, like that OF some huge wounded
creature signing out his pain far down
below the horizon. The vessel was
plorghing her way through the beavipg
ocean. and 10 my fancy she seemed 10
pant in her eagerness TO reach her har-
Dor before the storm came on.
IL appeared as if we should accoll-
p!ish it, too. The time slipped away.
minute by minute. as held on by the
staunchion and watched the sea and
sky. The moan of the coming wind,
indeed grew more persistent and loud,
as IL crept after us over the black ocean,
but still it had not reached US, and now
we were nearing the land.
Gradually something grew out of the
mist. 1t was only "A vague. formloss
shadow. at first, but moment by mo-
ment IL grew more distinct and definite
lit was the land. We were not far off
now. and IL only we had calculated our
course correctly we should be in shell
ter before the storm could reach us.
II was near tbirg. listened 10 the
increasing note of that strange dismal
moan that crept over the complaining