Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-21

ing that, whatever happens, it is no fault
of yours that you can do nothing of any
service but Just endure and hope, and that
was exactly our position.
We got Elsie down below without alarm
ing her. laid in a stock of fresh water in
the cabin and barricaded the doors opening
onto the main deck. Then we got some old
sails up from the locker and covered the
cabin skyiight, flashing it down as securely
as we knew how. The cabin as secure as
we could make it, we braced the yards up
on the starbOard tack although | don't
know why | chose that side, I'm sure, for
l had dim idea that we should stand a
better chance so than with the yards
square, as they We're, since l knew very
well that in heavy gales of wind vessel
ought to be hove to, and that that was
always effected by bracing the yards for
ward. Then ! let go the topsail sheets and
lowered the upper topsails down on the
cap. We also hauled al, the jibs and stay
sails down, making them snug
could Last of all l put the helm hard
down and dashed it there. My hope was
that in the first burst of the tempest the
big sails that We're loose would blow away,
and that she would then heave herself to
naturally, although l knew well enough
that If caught by the lee she would proba-
bly, capsize drive under stern foremost.
While we had been thus busy the rising
pau OF clouds had imperceptibly grown IN
III exactly half of the cOncave above was
perfectly black, black the adit of a coal
mine. The other half astern was of an
of the night sky in those latitude as could
well be imagined. Its chief popularity,
though, was its light. That segment of the
sky was full of glare diffused light that
was even reflected on to the vessel, and vet
could not be traced to any definite source
The contrast between this uucanny radi-
ance and the crepe-like darkness Of the
other half of the sky was tremendous, and
of itself enough to inspire fear in the breast
Of any creature living. Presently, as we
watched in strained silence, came the be-
ginning of what We were to know, a twin
ing, golden webWOrk of electric fires all
over the sWartrOOf Of cloud, or whatever
that gloom was built Of, and, in a hot puff
of wind, the destroying genie of the tropics
uplifted the opening strains Of his song
All cries OF uttermOSt woe were blended in
1t as 1t family fell upon our ears, inds-
tlnctly, as if echoed and re-echOed from
immeasurable distances, bat growing loud
er and wilder with every burning breath.
Then, in one furious blast, accompanied by
burst upon us. 1t was just sufficiently on
the port bow to avoid catching US aback
and the vessel paid Off. heeing over to its
force until her lee rail was awash and the
cleaning foam toppled inboard in a smoth-
er Of pale light. Lower and lower the sky
descended until II seemed If we might
have reached upward and touched it. and
unable to bear the sight any longer, ! fed
below, followed by You Sing, and securely
fastened the scuttle behind US. Elsie was
asleep when l peeped into her room, for
which l felt profoundly thankful. for how
could We have COmfOrted her? I sat down
by You Sings side and looked up wonder
ingly into his impressive face, which as
usual, was lighted by tender smile as he
met my troubled gaze. He took hold of my
hand and patted it, murmuring his shib-
boleth, "Cllo Tommy" and in spite OF my