Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-04-14

passed away into the sky; "the cham
Der of the thunder" as the bard OF
Coma names it, became again clear,
blue and starry, though marked by oc-
| casional masses of flying vapor. The
rain ceased, and the Eugene hcaved
| upon foam covered sea, over which
there passed, from time to time, short
squalls, compelling us to lower the
! double reefed topsails and run before
| the wind.
Now stiff glass Of srog was served
| round to all, and by turns we contriV-
! ed to get some dry clothing.
In the end of the middle watch
| about four o'clock q. m.--tLcre was
|. suddenly visible upon our larboard
| bow faint and vapory light that
shot upward in the sky from time TO
time, like Jets OF steam.
This singular appearance was high
| above the horizon. aud first caught the
| anxious eye Of Capt Weston.
"Hah! do you zee that" said he TO
me-
" udS IL ~ -.
"Thc Peak OF Adam-Tcneritfe."
"The great volcanic peak In the Fer
trnate Isles?"
"Old Tenny Reef in the Canaries, we
calls it. sir" said Tattooel Tom, who
was at the wheel. 1T amt volcano
now; but it can't give over its OLD
| trade OF smoking altogether, and blows
up steam like a screw propeller or just
as whale does water through his
| spiracles."
Tom means what the Spaniards
term the ventas, or nostrils, OF the
peak, through which the aqueous va
pors come with a buzZing sound. and
these cause species of light" said
Hislop.
well thank heaven, though We are
far out Of our course, that blast has
done no more than wet our storm
jackets and scrape some OF our paint
| off,"
I'VE have come out oe it uncommon
we'll, SIR" said Tom, as lie stood with
his feet planted firmly apart on the
deck, his hard brown hands grasping
the wheel. with the helm amidships,
rs we were still before the wind, and
the light Of the binacle flaring upward
on his weather-beaten face, with its
strange zebra-like stripes-at least, on
so much Of his grim visage as the peak
of his Southwestern and scarlet cravac
that was round his throat and jaws
permitted us to see. THE last time l
was in such a breeze was a pampero
off the mouth of the Rio dc la Plata,
but then we had our foresail split to
ribbons. and the ship was canted over
on her beam ends, almost. The main
sail was blown right out Of the mems
hands, and Tapped III the sky like
thunder, while the craft-a five hun
dred ton ship she was ard all copper
fastened-was just on the point OF cap
sizing, when with a crash that made
our hearts ache, snap went the jibboon
and topmasts of ut the caps, just as
you'd break 'bacca-pipe at the bowl.
She righted after that; but four Of our
best men were swept away to leeward.
and never seen again. And now, Mas
ter Rodney, with all your book learn
ing. or you, Master Hislop. with all
yours, can you tell the why such things
as tornadoes, hurricanes. pamperos,and
the like, are sent to torment the poor
hard working fellows such as me:'
Il can" said Hislop. turning his
handsome, but wet and weather beat
en- face to the stecrsman.
You can, sir" reiterated Tom loudly
and incrcdulously.
Eyes, In four lines. Listen:
"Pcrhaps this storm was sent with
healing breath.
From distant climes to scourge disease
and death:
'Tis OURS on Thine ,lnerripg Laws to
trust:
With thee, great I4ord-whatcycr is, is
just"
Faith, you are right, SIR" said hon
est Tom Lambourne, touching his tar
~ hat in respect to the mate. mingled
with that piety which, in his own rug
sed way, 4 seaman is never without.