The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-09

weather had heen only a sudden
thought, suggested by the look of the
sunset at the moment, but now it
seemed to me that the seamen them
selves shared the impression. For the
last hour or two the steamer, although
going steadily, had evidently not been
at her full speed, but now l 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 a plunge, go out
of sight, throwing up into the sky
wild halo of misty lights, like some vast
volcano in eruption.
l should have stayed on deck, but
presently Thompson came along, and
advised me- in friendly way, to go
below and get some supper.
you'll want it before morning,
guess" he said, whether there's
storm or not
You expect one them" I asked, as
followed him down the companion
stairs.
Expect it? Well, yes, we're sure of
wind, but it may not be much before
we get in. We ought to be up with the
land in two hours" He spoke serious
ly, and 1 felt sure he was more than
usually glad that we We're not far from
place of safety.
1t did not seem to affect Thompsons
appetite, however, for he made a hearty
meal, a performance which it was hard
to initiate. l found myself listening
anXiously for the first sound of the
wind, and l could hardly avoid a start
at every noise that came down to US
from the deck overhead, as If it ndi-
Gated the beginning of a hurricane
Nothing alarming happened, however
My companion was in no hurry to fin
ish his meal, and l didn't care to show
my uneasiness by leaving him. When
at last reached the deck it was dark
AS yet the wind had not come up, but
every now and then / could hear long
low moan, like that of some huge
wounded creature signing out his pain
for down below the horizon. The yes
sci was ploughing her way through the
heaVing ocean, and to my fancy she
seemed to pant in her eagerness to
reach her harbor before the storm came
on.
1t appeared as if we should accom-
plish it, too. The time slipped away,
minute by minute, as l held on by the
staunchion and watched the sea and
sky. The moan of the coming wind,
indeed, grew more persistent and loud,
as it crept after us over the black
ocean, but still it had not reached us,
and now we We're nearing the land.
Gradually something grew out of the
mist. 1t was only a vague, formless
shadow at first, but moment by mo-
ment 1t grew distinct and defnite-it
was the land, We were not far off
now, and if only we had calculated
our course correctly we should be in
shelter before the storm could reach
us. 1t was a near thing. | listened
to the increasing note of that strange,
dismal moan that crept over the com
planning sea, and as / did SO l turned
always more anxiously to the shadowy
coast on which we We're rushing at
| such headlong pace. Yes, we would
reach it now. Even in that gray half
light the high land was taking form
| and substance-we could not be far
off And. now an order was given,
and suddenly l realized that our speed
was dying away. 1t was just then |
felt the first of the storm. 1t came
with quick gust on my cheek and at
the same moment there was "a new
tone in the wind. 1t had been a moan,
so far, but now it was rising to a roar,
though its strength had not reached
us yet-thank heaven, l felt the ship
swing round to the motion of the helm;
we We're entering the bay.
At that moment it came! There was
| a quick flash through the mist ahead,
| and then "a lOud roar that SWellpd and
rolled in long. reverberations against
the face of the hills-it was a cannon.
A quick order in the captains hoarse
voice was followed by the reverse ac-
| tion of the screw, as we strove to stop