The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-05-25

minds of seatnen. the exertion Of tbs mo-
ment s6ectually prevents any development
Of them into despair IN the case OF our own
So. In obedience to the hoarse
cries Of Mr.. Svenssn. they str0ve to ret the
Dorothea into that position where she
would be best able to stem the rising sea,
and fore-reach over the kissing sullenneos
Of the long, Dreaming rollers, that as they
came surging past swept her a mile at
blow, sideways to leeward. leaving q whirl-
Ing, hroadside wake Of curling eddies. Silent
and anxious Captain South hung with one
elbow over the edge OF the companion. his
keen hearing taking note of every complaint
made by the trembling timbers beneath his
feet whose querulous voices permeated the
deeper note Of the storm.
AL that his long experience could suggest
for the safety Of his vessel was put into
practice. One by one the scanty show Of
sail was taken in and secured with extra
gasket turns. lest any of them should, show
ing loose corner be ripped adrift by the
snarling tempest. By eight bells a a. m.)
the brig showed nothing to the bleak dark
ness above but the two gaunt masts, with
their ten bare yards tightly braced up
against the lee backstays. and the long
peaked forefinger of the jibboom reaching
out over the pale foam. A tiny weather.
cloth of canvas only a yard square was
stopped in the weather main rigging, its
small area amply suficing to keep the
briggs head up In the wind except when,
momentarily becalmed by a hill Of black
water rearing its head to windward, it re-
Taxed its steadfast thrust and suffered the
vessel to fall of helplessly into the trough
between two huge waves. Now commenced
the long MnoOnQ1 hotW
ly constructed hull unfairly handicapped by
the wrench of dead mass of iron within
that met every natural scend of her frame
with unyielding brutality of resistance and
the wise old sea. kindly indeed to ships
whose construction and cargo enable them
to meet its masses with the easy grace of
its own in habitants. but pitiless destroyer
of vessels that do not greet its curving as
sault with yielding grace. its mighty stride
with sinuous difference of retreat. The USE
less wheel. held almost hard down, thumped
slowly under the hands of the listless helms
man with the regularity of nearly worn
out clock, while the oakum began to bulge
upward from the deck seams. AS if weary
even unto death. the brig covered before the
untiring onslaught of the waves, allowing
them to rise high above the weather rail,
and break apart with terrible uproar, filling
the decks rail-high from poop to forecastle
Pumping was incessant yet. Svensen found
each time he dropped the slender sounding
rod down the tube longer wetness upon it,
until it's two feet became insufficient, and the
mark of doom crept up the line And be-
sides the everincreasng inlet of the sea,
men stayed by the pumps only at the immi-
nent risk of being dashed to pieces, for
they were, as always. situated in the middle
of the main deck, where the heaviest seas
usually break aboard. There was little said,
and but few looks exchanged. The skipper
had, indeed. to meet the wan face of his
wife, but she dared not put her fear into
words, or he bring himself to tell her that
except for a miracle their case was hopeless.
He seldom left the deck, as if the wide, gray
cination for him, and he watched with I'M
speculative eyes the pretty gambols of those
tiny elves of the sea, the Mother Carey's
chickens, as they futtered necessarily to
and fro across the wake of his grooming
vessel
So passed night and day of such length
that the ceaseless tumult of wind and wave
had become normal and slighter sounds
could be easily distinguished because the
ear had become attuned to the elemental din.
Unobtrusively the impassive Svensen had
been preparing their only serviceable boat
by stocking her with food, water. etc. The
skipper had watched him with dull eye, as
if his proceedings were devoid of interest,
but felt glimmer Of satisfaction at the evil
dence of his second mates forethought. For
all hope of the Dorotheas weathering the
gale was now completely gone. Even the
blue patches breaking through the heavy
cloud-pall to leeward could not revive 1t.
For she was now only wallowing with
muffled roar of turbid water within as it
sullenly swept from side to side with the
sinking vessels heavy roll. The gale died
away peacefully, the sea smoothed its
wrinkled plain, and the grave stars peered
out one by one, as il to reassure the anxious
watchers. Midnight brought calm, as
deep as II the wind had not yet been made,
but the old swell still came marching on,
it passed her. The day broke in perfect
splendor, cloudless and pure, the wide heav-
ems barred their solemn emptiness, and the
glowing sun in lonely glory showered such
radiance on the sea that it blazed with
myriad duZzling hues. But into that soli
tary circle, whereof the brig was the pa
thetic center, came no friendly CLINT of sails,
no welcome stain of trailing smoke across
the clear blue. But the benevolent calm
gave opportunity for a careful launching of
the boat and as she lay quietly alongside
the few finishing touches were given to her
equipment. AS the sun went down the ves-
sells motion ceased-she was now nearly lev
ell with the smooth surface of the ocean,
which impassively awaited her farewell to
the light. Hardly word was spoken as the
little company left her side and entered the
boat. When all were safely bestowed the
skipper said. "Cut that painter forrard
there, land his voice sounded holloway across
the burdening silence. A few faint splashes
were heard as the oars rose and fell, and the
boat glided away. At cables length they
ceased pulling, and with every eye turned
upon the brig they waited. In a painful,
strained hush, they saw her bow as If in
stately adieu, and as If with an embrace the
placid sea EMBODIED her. Silently she dis
appeared. the dim outlines of her spars
lingering as if 10th to leave, against the
deepening violet of the night
With one arm around his wife, the skip
per sat at the tiller. small compass before
him. by the aid of which he kept her head
toward Madeira, but, anxious to husband
energy, he warned his men not to pull too
strenuously. Very peacefully passed the
night. no sound invading the stiffness ex-
cept the regular plash of the oars and an
occasional querulous cry from a belated sea-
bird aroused from it's sleep by the passage
Of the boat. At dawn rowing ceased for a
time and those who were avako wotchod