Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1898-01-08

barkcd the maid refused to risk the voyage
and chose to return to brave the wrath of
Don AmadeO. So she and her mistress
babe each other fearful farewell, and we
Ect sail without her We had fair wind
and laid II course for the bark, which, as
1t was sailing slowly, hoped to overhaul
within an hour or two.
Half the distance had been travcrscd,
and, though darkness now overspread the
ocean, we could still make out the ships
position by her lights. The sea became
foughcr and more turbulent, and sudden
ly | Sen@ct new danger. While | was
watching th2 :oam crested pillows sweep
.ug toward Is in order t~ avoid them, l
saw in their dark hollows rapidly moy
ing strcakS OF phOSphorcSccncc.
We were heSet by sharks! Their fam
ing fins We're clcaving the water all about
us The black waves were alive with
them!
But the bark was looming steadily be-
fore us. In another half hour we should be
within hail. even if she did not sooner see
us and lower a boat Perhaps was made
too confident by this assurance; but, with
out warning, fierce wave assailed us
and the raft was overturned! The same
wave carried my sweetheart away into the
darkness, but | swan swiftly to her side
and thrust out an arm to draw her to my
shoulder for support.
But that instant, as her eyes looked low
ingly into mine II cry burst from her lips
and she sank beneath the waves | clutch
ed at her dress and stroVc to raise her, buu
my strength was unavailing as against
that of the monster that had seized her.
Down. down, below the turmoil of waves
and roaring of pillows we sank together
l wrcnched my knife from its sheath, and,
in my fury plunged it into the man caters
body, gray and ghastly alongside of me.
The grim jaws relaxed their hold, and,
dragging the apparently lifclcss form tc
the surface, bore it to the raft and cast
myself down beside her. There, while the
waves swept over us, while the fins of the
sharks hsscd and cleaned in the foaming
waters, | call to her, bent above her, press
cd my lips to hers.
Then, overcome by fatigue and despair,
| swooncd by her side.
From IL drcamless sleep, from lowering
on the borders of oblivion, l was awakened
by strange voices. | was on the deck of a
ship | saw forms of men pass vaguely
before me- and by my side--yes, there alive
sat one whom had thought no longer
living
Her shining eyes looked into mine again,
and then she told me of our rescue from
the waves, The night had passed, and
now the dawn had come and with its com
ing the iluttcring of sails and the rattling
of anchor chain informed us that port
was reached 1t was that of Grand Cay
man. tn the southeast of Isle of Pines, n
neutral port, and we were safe.
We were married that day at noon, and
thus was achieved the consummation of
our happiness. And the captain of the
bark, who himself had taken Olivia from
the raft, said solemnly as he placed her
hand in mine: Her life belongs to me-
for ] saved il, but il is also yours be
cause she gave it to you. That was ycstcr-
day, and hence last year; this is today,
and hence the new year. That which per
ishcd in the old year the new year sees re-
stored To life God bless you both and
sanctily this New Years gift "