Gilpin observer., 1899-04-06
Or. The Adventures of

An Eton Boy.
BY JAMES GRANT.

ree GGe& GGG GeGGGGGS
being washed overheard by the blind
ing sheets OF mingled foam and rain
that deluged the deck, over which the
sea was also breaking heavily every
instant.
Each time the Eugene rose in her
buoyancy. her decks vert half full of
water and the long boat amidships
filled SO fast that man with a bucket
could scarce keep 1t baled.
Following the whirlwind, we went
round five times in thirty-five minutes,
with the afteryards squared and the
headyards braced sharp up
Then the black mass of sulphurous
cloud in which we were enveloped
seemed to ascend, and with the same
rapidity with which it approached,
passed away into the sky; "the cham
ber 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 heaved
upon foam covered sea, over which
there passed, from time. to time, short
squalls, compelling us to lower the
double reefed topssils and run before
the wind.
Now stiff glass of grog 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 a. m.-there 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, and first caught the
anxious eye of Capt. Weston.
''Hah! do you see that?" said he to
me.
What is it,"
"The Peak of Adam-Teneriffe."
'The great volcanic peak in the For
tunate Isles?"
"Old Tenny Reef in the Canaries. we
calls it, SIR" said Tattooed Tom, who
was at the wheel. "It amt volcano
now; but 1t can't give over its old
trade Of smoking altogether, and blows
up steam like screw propeller or just
as a whale does water through his
spiracles."
Tom means what the Spaniards
term the ventas, or nostrils, Of the
peak, through which the aqueous va
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
or"
I'VE have come out of 1t uncommon
well, sir" said Tom. as he stood with
his feet planted firmly apart on the
deck, his hard brown hands grasping
the wheel. with the helm amidships,
as we were still before the wind. and
the light Of the binacle faring upward
On his weatherbeaten face, with its
strange zebra-like stripes-at least, on
so much of his grim visage as the peak
of his sou'-wester and scarlet cravat
that was round his throat and jaws
permitted us to see. "The last time I
was in such breeze was a pampero
off the mouth OF the Rio de la Plata,
but then we had our foresail split to
ribhons. and the ship was canted over
on her beam ends, almost. The main
sail was blown right out of the mems
hands, and tapped in the sky like
thunder, while the craft-a five hun
dred ton ship she was and all copper
fastened-was just on the point Of cap
sizing, when with crash that made
our hearts ache, snap went the jibboom
and topmasts off at the caps. Just as
you'd break 'bacca-pipe at the bowl
She righted after that; but four Of our
best men we're 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?" .
II can." said Hislop. turning his
handsome, but wet and weather beat
en- face to the steersman.
"You can, SIR" reiterated Tom loudly
and incredulously.
Eyes, in four lines. Listen:
Perhaps this storm was sent with
healing breath,
From distant cllmes to scourge disease
and death:
'Tis ours on Thine unerring laws to
trust;
With thee, great Whatever is, Is
just"
Faith. you are right. SIR" said hon
est Tom Lambourne, touching his tar
ry hat in respect to the mate, mingled
with that piety which. in his own rug
ged way, a seaman Is never without.
CHAPTER VII.
Go Ashore.
The wind lulled away into a gentle