The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-22
go 90
% 0
3 The Richard I'LL. 5
go ssss,s 4 a9
oo0@0o0000Uw a0osyaos ssg e,csscs s s eSss eJss

and took out TN fisce of plug tobacco
the second mate had given him, and
DIT OF chew TO keep his jaws moving
He did not care much for the tobacco
but all sailors chewed, and. although
Bill had Jeered at him and tried Il
take IL away, he kept IL. and deter
mined 10 be a thorough sailor. lie had
peen given chance 10 become a man
ana ne would Tight for IL and do the
best he could. What IL his mother
could see him now--on a clipper ship
sometimes afoft on the dizzy yard-arm
with those same wonderful fellows she
used to read TO him about in story
books before her last sickness. Then
his thoughts wandered 10 a lonely
churchyard in the suburbs OF the great
English city where he had spent many
bitter hours near a low mound. Come
out o that, you little lubber," growled
voice in his ear. You sleepy headed
little swab. It's a good thing l amt
the mate, or YOU would learn some-
thing"
II amt asleep" said Tom. turning to
meet his Old enemy. Il was jest watch
in the water"
None o. yer CANNON ter me; eight
beils struck an yer watch gone below
half-hour ago. Gimme a chew o. yer
terbacker or I'll ask the mate what yer
doin' here"
Tom was half-afraid he would. so he
handed him his plug. Bill bit off a
piece ana quietly put the rest I'm his
pocket as he walked away
Tom was afraid 10 do anything for
rear Bill would tell the mate that he
was asleep while helping TO stand with
the lookout on the top-gallant focastle
so without making any noise he turned
IN. AS he slept he dreamed that he
STOOD OH the edge Of precipice and
a G..Il
III with mighty Bang."-he
awoke amid the cries Of frantic men
ana the laundering crash OF grinding
tiinDers. He leaped To the deck i'm time
10 see the foremast go splintering over
the side, carrying the main-topmast
and everything forward along with it,
A great shadow hung over the ship an
she heeled over To starboard. and on ia
ne recognized the forms OF men IL
was black-dark on deck. but he knew
that they had been run down. In q
Few moments the black shadow driftt1
OF INTO the gloom, and ne heard the
voice OF Capt, Gantline calling out ia
clear away the boats"
In few minutes the men had re.
covered from their panic and went ia
work with a will to get the boats ready
10 put overheard, while the captain.
second mate and carpenter climbed
over the wreckage forward and tried to
see what damage had been done. AL
most immediately the ship began 10 sets
tie by the head. and they came aft
again.
overheard with those boats. Now.
puihes, bear hand" came the CHEEKY
voice OF the mate, and I'm a FEW minutes
tne longboat and two cutters were over
the side and being rapidly filled with
the rev passengers and crew The
CABIN steward and cook threw in what
hard bread and other food they could
lay hands on, but even as they worked
the ships head settled rapidly until
the main deck was awash amidships.
Come, get those boats clear of the
ship, roared old Capt. Gantline. as he
stood clamly on the break of the poop.
The men, however. needed no urging.
and they scrambled over the rail into
the boats, the mates taking the two
cutters. AS the water came over the
deck the captain called: "AlI handy
clear OF the ship: then, dropping into
the stern of the longboat. he showed off.
He had barely gotten clear OF the side
when two forms appeared on deck car
rying breaker" full Of water. They
We're the two boys, Tom. and Bill: the
mate had sent to get the keg filled
and they had been left behind i'm the
excitement. They rushed TO the port
quarter. which was now high i'm tho
fiu. anu ledneu over the rail.
Throw a line and be quick about IL"
came deep voice from the gloom as
tern, and Tom. taking the spanker
sheet rope, threw the end as far as he
could toward the shadow, and took a
-urn on a cleat.
Come, hurry up. there" came the
voice from below. as Tom started over
he rail-then he checked himself.
You fust, Bill: you got er mother"
le said.
Bill grabbed the line and disappeared |
,ver the rail.
Let go, roared the voice OF the cap. |
ain as Tom spraDg upon the rail TO fol- |
ow Bill, but at that instant the shin |
almost on end. gave a head. |
ong plunge and vanished I'm a whirl "a |
eething water The man i'm the bow /
II the longboat had hardly time To grab
3ill by the collar and "let go" the ropo
o keep from being dragged after the I
linking ship.
Where's the other?" asked the can
ain, as he stood in the stern OF the
'oat-but no one answered They row
d about through the floating wreekae.-
or quarter of an hour hut found
Iothing human. and they finally stood
or the lights of the vessel that haG
un them dowu.-Thornton j. Hams In
.esiie's Weekly.