Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1899-07-27

ground OF remembered misery. The second
stage Of the tempest was tlercer by tar than
was the first and the wind came from a
quarter almost exactly opposite the point
from which il broke on the night OF August
ll-namely, southeast. And with 1t came
rain a pentup dcuge that laced the sea
and Sky with parallel lines like strings Of
polished steel wire While we held the wind
astern it was endurabe but later, when we
bore into the gale, one face could not suffer
long exposure to the blast that drove the
liquid pellets before it like volleys 81 buck
shot
We had not held our way for long when
It became plain that to escape by running
was impossible, a. the following seas reached
a height and speed that threatened to poop
the schooner at any moment, il had finally
came to laying to or being wrecked out OF
hand, and every opening ~ the vessel was
closed as tightly as possible n preparation
for the move
1t was an anxious moment when the ma
newer to come about was made. Each one
was dashed to his post, and, when ! gave the
order to jam down the helm, knew that
salvation or destruction might lie IN the
coming brief minute,
The wind with which we had been fleeing
fell as we struck the trough q the sea, the
mountainous pillows making fair lee 70 the
deck | had closed my eyes as the wheel
flew over and when from an instant OF COM
pamtive calm the gallant vessel rose and
felt the solid blast in my face instead Of
On my back, | shouted thanksgiving, and
in the ecstasy OF my relief from long nervous
tension shook hands with the sailor by my
side as though he had been my lifelong friend
instead Of an enemy on whose death ! had
determined the night before.
Even though we were safely hove INTO the
wind the gale SO increased in force as to
make il impossible to carry even double
reeied mainsail, and there were no means at
hand for further reduction 81 canvas saving
to take all in. ] met the difficulty by max
ing a sea anchor Of the wreck OF the top
hamper, binding the mass together and
heaving it overheard with 0 line attached,
then, by stripping the vessel 81 its last rag,
to this drag we rode across the feaclul bill
lows with less straining, now pointing
squarely into the winds eye
But though the Phantom's antics wore
reduced in violence and we existed in com
parative comfort, the schooner was far from
being secure, since the whole seas that rose
and combed over the bows threatened again
and again to swamp the craft, for, ere her
scuppers could relieve her Of the terrible
weight of water from one wave, another
would follow and tear aft, at times driving
her bow fairly under There was nothing
to do but knock away great sections 81 the
bulwarks to give free drainage 10 the flood,
and, this done, we could but stand and wait
for what fate had in store.
1t was when we We're thus driven 70 in
action that one life was lost. ! was stand
ing by the wheel, drenchcd, exhausted. and
fast falling into my former state of dull
apathy. The galley doors had been fastened
to keep out the water and the forecastle
hatch was closed, though not secured. Larry
and the New Bedford man were close to
me, crouched in the lee cabin house TO 20
forward was to court death, and, though
the quarter was no place for a seaman oft
duty, all attempts at discipline and sea Ell
quette had given way before the common
danger, and both men kept aft to be clear Of
the rush Of the sea
In a half-dreamy way | was coming the
horizon dead ahead when ! saw the fore
castle door open and the man who had de
fled me step to the deck at an interval when
for a moment the deluge had subsidized. lie
was suffering agony from his wrenched arm,
for his face was working, and he held the
wounded limb in his right hand The pain
of it had probably driven him to despera.
ton, or reduced his spirit into getting aft
and Seeking possible relief to his torment.
Behind him appeared the head and part
of the body of the now sobered surgeon, at
whose advice he had doubtless taken the
reckless step Of leaving the torecastIe. The
man in advance seemed dazed, for he hest
tated and almost fell as the head Of the
schooner rose to a bilow, but with an eff
fort he turned toward me and staggered
a step forward AZ that instant saw a
huge sea lifting ahead. is ridge tottering to