Rocky Ford enterprise., 1899-03-16

horizon, from whence 1t cast long
and tremulous line of yellow splendor
along the dancing waves, to where the
schooner floated in her loneliness.
Night followed, ana one by one the
stars appeared in the mighty blue dome
overhead: there was no moon as yet,
and thought of hoisting a light at the
mainmast head, but where were a Ian
tern and matches to be found?
I thought also of lifting the fore
hatch to explore the forepart Of the
schooner, but | felt too feeble and sick
at heart, and now with the coming of
the shadow of night ghost story OF
the Dutch skipper REQUIRED to me.
Thirst was now becoming ar agony,
and l inhaled the dewy atmosphere in
vain, for its property was saline, and
seemed to make my sufferings greater:
but happily 1t induced n drowsiness.
crept below, and seeking the bed in the
captains berth. drew the clothes over
me and strove to sleep-and so weary
was l that sleep came.
How long slept do not know, but
I was suddenly reused by violent
lurch of the schooner.
On reaching the deck. l found that
n gale had again come on, and that the
sea was whitened with foam, amid
which the seabirds were blown wildly
hither and thither; that the moon was
now on the wane. and shed cold.
weird light between the black masses
of flying scud, upon the tumbling bill
lows and the empty schooner. which
yet floated buoyantiy enough. But she
now careened fearfully to port. | fore
saw that unless the masts were cut
away capsize was inevitable. for the
wild wind howled over the waste of
secthing water, and the schooner
groaned and trembled as wave after
wave thundered on her empty and re-
sounding hull.
Notwithstanding my weakness. en-
deavored to tighten the brailing OF the
fore and aft forcsail: but how vain
was the attempt. The moment | re-
moved the rope from the Delaying pin
It was torn from my hand: the whole
sail fell heavily loose. and swelled out
upon the wind. 1t tapped witt n
sound like thunder in the blast. and
in a moment the deck seemed to pass
from under my feet, and l was struS-
Cling alone in the midnight sea.
To the horror OF being drowned was
now added that of being devoured by
the fishes.
A cry to heaven escaped me. as
rose painting and almost breathlcss and
struck out to prolong existence. The
sea repelled and buoyed me up, for It
Is by no means so easy to sink rs many
persons imagine.
The schooner was lying now COM
pletely on her beam ends to port; her
masts and half her deck were In the
water. 1t had filed the body OF the
loosened sail. and served to keep her
steady, but still the waves washed
wildly over the hull. l knew she must
soon fill and go down; yet so strong Is
the instinct of self-preservation that
soon reached the foremast. climbed
into the now horizontal rigging. and
seated myself on the row Of dead eyes
through which the shrouds are rove
clutching them with wild tenaci,y
while drenched. cold. and despairing.
The spray flew over me. thick rs
rain, but bitter, heavy and binding.
How long I could have survived |
know not: but felt as one in dreai-
full dream and acted with the decision
and firmness with which we often seem
to acquaint ourselves amid the most
fantastic situations created by the
fancy in sleep.
Suddenly, amid the stupor that WAS
coming over me. l heard voice and
saw large brig looming between me
and the pale. waning moon. She was
close by. with her courses, topsails. jib
and fore-and-aft mainsail set, but with
her foreyard laid to the wind as she
lay to. Then heard the rattle of the
blocks and tackle. as boat descended
from the stern davits with a splash
into the sea.
"Cheerily, now. my lads. give way"
cried the voice ! had heard before;
pull to windward round this craft. and
overhaul her."
There's man in the fore-rigging!"
cried another.
"Then stand by in the bow with the
boat-hook."
/ strove to speak. TO shout; but my
voice was gone.
Spring into the sea-" cried a voice:
"do you hear me, you sir-you in the
fore-rigging there? Jump in: we can
not sheer alongside a craft that pitches
about like a cork in such sea as
this"
Don't fear. my lad" cried others;
well pick you up"
But | was powerless. blinded by
spray: and though unable TO respond.
clutched the rattlins with fatuous en-
ergy. Then strong hands were laid
upon me, and felt myself dragged into
the boat.
Shove off, shove off-give way! this
craft will sink in minute" cried some
one: give way for the brig!" and just
as they turned the head of the boat to-
u.nrh their vessel the Dutch schooner