Gilpin observer., 1899-03-16

SSA0OhSi anu AdliCA ONcIDOdTQ 10 lee
ward. So l soaked the moldy biscuit
In the brandy, ate it, and went on deck,
in time to see the sun set at the watery
horizon, from whence 1t cast. long
and tremulous line of yellow splendor
along the dancing waves, to where the
schooner fioated in her loneliness.
Night followed, and one by one the
stars appeared in the mighty blue dome
overhead; there was no moon as yet,
and thought of hoisting light at the
mainmast head. but where were a Ian
tern and matches to be found?
thought also of lifting the fore
hatch to explore the forepart of the
schooner but felt too feeble and sick
at heart, and now with the coming of
the shadow Of night ghost story of
the Dutch skipper recurred to me.
Thirst was now becoming an agony,
and inhaled the dewy atmosphere in
vain, for its property was saline, and
seemed to make my sufferings greater;
but happily it induced a drowsiness. l
crept below, and seeking the bed in the
captains berth, drew the clothes over
me and strove to sleep-and so weary
was that sleep came.
How long l slept do not know, but
1 was suddenly reused by violent
lurch Of the schooner.
On reaching the deck, / found that
a gale had again come on, and that the
sea was whitened with foam, amid
which the seabirds were blown wildly
hither and thither; that the moon was.
now on the wane, and shed cold.
weird light between the black masses
of flying scud, upon the tumbling bill
lows and the empty schooner, which
yet floated buoyantly enough. But she
now careened fearfully to port fore
saw that unless the masts were cut
away a capsize was Inevitable, for the
wild wind howled over the waste of
seething water, and the schooner
groaned and trembled as wave after
wave thundered on her empty and re-
sounding hull.
Notwithstanding my weakness, l en-
deavored to tighten the brailing of the
fore and aft foresail; but how vain
was the attempt! The moment / re-
moved the rope from the Delaying pin
it was torn from my hand; the whole
sail fell heavily loose, and swelled out
upon the wind. 1t Tapped with a
sound like thunder in the blast, and
in moment the deck seemed to pass
from under my feet, and l was strug
Cling alone in the midnight sea.
To the horror of being drowned was
now added that of being deyoured by
the fishes.
A cry to heaven escaped me, as I
rose painting and almost breathless and
struck out to prolong existence. The
sea repelled and buoyed me up, for it
is by no means SO easy to sink as many
persons imagine.
The schooner was lying now COM
pletely on her beam ends to port; her
masts and half her deck were in the
water 1t had filled the body of the
loosened sail, and served to keep her
steady. but still the waves washed
wildly over the hull. l knew she must
soon fll and go down; yet so strong is
the instinct of solf-preservation that l
soon reached the foremast. climbed
into the row horizontal rigging. and
seated myself on the row of dead eyes,
through which the shrouds are rove,
clutching them with wild tenacity,
while drerohed. cold, and despairing
TIE spray few over me, thick as
rain, but bitter, heavy and binding.
How long | could have survived /
know not: but felt as one in a dread
full dream and acted with the decision
and firmness with which we often seem
to acquaint ourselves amid the most
fantastic situations created by the
fancy In sleep.
Suddenly. amid the stupor that was
coming over me, l heard a voice and
saw large brig looming between me
and the pale. waning moon. She was
close by. with her courses, topsails, jib
and fore-and-aft mainsail set. but with
her foreyard laid to the wind as she
lay to. Then heard the rattle of the
blocks and tackle, as boat descended
from the stern davits with splash
into the sea.
"Cheerily, now, my lads, give way."
cried the voice l had heard before;
pull to windward round this craft, and
overhaul her."
There's man in the ore-rigging!"
cried another.
"Then stand By in the bow with the
boat-hook."
strove to speak, TO shout; but my
voice was gone.
Spring into the sea-" cried a voice;
"do you hear me, you sir-you in the
fore-rlgging there? Jump in; we can
not sheer alongside craft that pitches
about like cork in such n sea as
this"
Don't fear. my lad" cried others;
"we'll pick you up
But | was powerless, blinded by
spray; and though unable to respond,
clutched the rattlins with fatuous en-
ergy Then strong hands wcro laid