Hutchinson gazette., 1899-01-05

would float, as the wind and sea we're
evidently rising together, and to re-
main on board was almost AZ danger
GUS and hopeless, had the risk Of
drowning by her capsiZing or lying on
her beam ends In the water. and 10
laundering and going down.
A plank might start In her sheathing
she might even then be filling by
some uncaulked leakl / had no idea
OF the state OF her hold, and for many
reasons feared she might sink before
daybreak, and before my perllous sit
uatlon could be discovered from the
shore.
The waves were black as ink; the
sky was moonlesB overhead, but the
pale, white stars winked and twlnkled,
and were reflected In the trough OF the
ocean. Now, could perceive foam
cresting the tops of the waves, and
knew that the breeze was increasing
to n gale-a gale that was blowing
from the land,
This added to my despair, for the
lights had seen soon disappeared, and
the dark outline Of the coast seemed
to sink lower and to blend with the
sea. Clutchlng the weather rigging,
could scarcely keep my feet, 30 slip
perry was the now wetted deck, and so
cold and benumbed were my hands and
arms by the chill atmosphere Of tho
ocean, and by the salt spray which
ever and anon few over me In bitter,
brlny showers.
shouted, but the mocking wind bore
my voice away to seaward, With de-
spairlng eyes swept the dusky water
in the hope Of seeing a vessel, AshinA
boat, or the light Of q steamer near
but gazed, with haggard glance, In
vain.
had no hope now but to wait fol
dawn Of day; and when 1t came, whore
might / and the empty schooner bel
Fortunately, her topmasts were struck
her foreyard was lowered, and all hei
gear made tolerably snug, Her can
vas, however, was only in the bralls
and q portion of the fore and afi
foresail having got loose, II
was swelled out by the blast
and kept her head partially be-
fore the wind, thus accelerating tho
rate at which she was borne from the
land, and being without trimming oil
ballast, she danced over the waves,
as have said, like a cork, but in mo-
mentary danger OF capsizlng and foun'
derlng. AS dawn drew near, the cold
increased so much that, though at the
risk Of being passed unseen by some
coaster, was faln to creep on my
hands and knees to the companion
hatch, and descend into the cabin.
It was darker now than ever, for the
lamp had gone out
ooh, to be ashore!" exclaimed pas
sionately, with clasped hands; ashore,
and free from this floating prlson!"
l thought Of my gentle and loving
mother, and my soul seemed to die
within me. The schooner would be
missed by daybreak-- alarm would
be given; her alarm would rapidly be-
come irrepressible anxiety, which
would soon turn to a despair that
nothing could alleviate.
Sounds like thunder, or like tremen-
dous blows. at times made me start.
These were caused by billets OF wood,
or pieces Of pig-iron pitching about in
the hold of the schooner as she rolled
and lurched and righted herself to roll
and lurch again.
For a time covered miserably in
the dark cabin, until my childish fears
overmatched reason, and / crept once
more upon deck.
A regular gale was blowing now, and
the schooner careened fearfully be-
meath It on her starboard side, while
the bellying of that portion of the fore
and aft foresail which had got loose
aided in hurrying her faster out to sea.
The light Of the coming day was
spread In dull gray over the sky, Inn
parting the same cold tint to the whit
ening waves. Land was still visible,
but 1t seemed like dark bank at the
horizon. I supposed 1t to be about ten
miles distant, but what part Of the
coast, or how far from Erlesmere, !
knew not.
ITO be continued)