Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1899-06-16
FHE SKIPPER.

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dor the fierce blast Of the northeast Rnle,
the seas sweeping her decks, and now
all on board knew that she had but a
short time to live.
She had had her day. Built to carry
100 passengers, she had nice been u
Of the popular boats going through the
newly opened canal to the east, and her
long flush deck had been tho scene Of
many a gay gathering whom her passen-
gers had assembled under the awnings
70 laugh, nirt and talk after dinner.
But larger and faster boats had come,
and her glory had departed, so that
after many vioissitudes here she lay,
her passenger accommodation taken out
and the space filled with grain from the
Black sea ports, sinking.
Her decks were slnnting at an angie
of 40 degrees, for the wheat had shifted,
and she lay nearly on her beam ends.
Every movable thing had long been
washed away, and one structure which
should have been immovable-the en-
CINE hatch-had also been smashed in.
That was the immediate reason why
abe WINS going to founder. Tho engine
room plates were awash, and the fires in
the stokehole were out, and for the last
two hours she had only been kept head
to sea by means of a sea anchor made Of
the derricks and spars A portion Of ey-
cry sea that came On board found it's
way through the makeshift continuance
Of spars and tarpaulins nailed over the
gaping chasm in her deck that marked
the former position of tho engine hatch,
and each found her a little. lower in the
water.
In the shelter Of the bridge deck, the
only structure which had bean strong
enough to resist the remorseless violence
Of the seas, clustered her crow, some
80 hands, hard faced sailors and grimy
hremen, tho former quiet, apathetic,
almost careless; the others. save for a
few, dead white with fear, spending
their last moments in cursing, with
foolish, meaningless repetitions of the
same words, the ship, their luck in
coming in her and the skipper for not
making use Of the two remaining boats
which hung from their davits at the lee
side of the bridge deck, and which from
their elevated position had not gone
when the other beats h9d been swept
away. On the bridge stood the skipper
and the mate, bearded, elderly men
both, straining their despairing eyes
into the wall Of mist and spray which
rglentlessly rushed down upon them, in
the faint hope that some passing vessel
might appear through the gloom of the
gale.
At length the skipper turned and
scrambled down the sloping bridge to
where the mate crouched on the lee rail.
1--WE shall have to try the boats, Mr..
Smith. She'll not last much longerP
no shouted, the wind picking up each
word as he uttered it and sweeping them
way 60 leeward, as il jealous Of the
mate hearing them.
Its n very poor chance, " said the
mate, "but 1 suppose it's our only one.
How long do you give herr"
half an hour at the outside Are
The boats all ready5"
They've been ready since morning, u
said the mate, "but can we get them in
the water unsmashed, aud won't the
hremen rush them?" 9.
II don't think 30, replied the skip.
per. There's time enough and room
enough for all to get away"
But his face took a grimmer look al
no led the way down from the bridge tC
the charthouse. ths mate following him.
Inside they could hear each other with
greater ease, and the skipper, while
taking his revolver from a drawer, gave
the mate his final instructions.
"We'l lower the forward lifeboar
first, as she's the biggest. You will TAXI
charge Of her, get your crew aboard anC
have every one in his place before We
start TO lower, 30 that you can shove Of
as soon as she touches the water. L
those patents act, you ought to be al
right" The boats were fitted with I
patent continuance by which the tackles
holding them are automatically released
the moment the boat is water borne, *
that there is no unlocking Of blocks Il
be done while the boat is getting dasheC
to pieces against the ships side.
81 shall be all right, said the mate
''but what about your Who's going Il
lower the falls Of the after boat7 YoJ
Cdu = ulu1oBo ~ rum NAo DOhb AtocAA
with all tho crowd you will have OF
board"
"I'll lower her from the deck, " sale
the skipp9r. IF they have a lonl
painter made fast to the ship, they car
easily pull up again under the counter
and I'll make 4 jump for IL.
Mind you don't jump short. You;
have a poor chance with those boot
and oilskins on, said the mate.
"Ob, III manage" replied the skip
per. Call the men up"
The men came up in a body, and tn
skipper came out on the deck, revolve
IN hand
1.-The ships sinking. " he said. 'an'
have decided to take to tho boats
There's plenty Of time and room for al
20 get away in safety If you obey IA,
orders You will remain standing wher
you are till / call your names; then th
man whose name is called will take hi
place In the boat ANY man that start
for the boat before ] tell him I shoot
understand allf"
There was a low murmur from tb
v.an aud tho akfnnar continual