The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1900-05-17

ike wad, from a gun. The very angie Of the
vessel saved her from carrying tho tons
ot water that had beaten in, and, as the
hcadsail let 90. as an animal goaded TO des-
peration, the Phantom rose and, gathering
way, fed before the gale.
We fed before the gale, and like the spin
ming Epoondrift picked up by the wind and
scattered broadcast without form or consist
encc 30 also fled my notice Of details. OF
the three terrible days during which this
storm lasted | mind me only Of few poig'
uant facts standing out against a back
ground OF remembered misery. The second
stage Of the tempest was hercer by far than
was the first, aud the Wind came from a
quarter almost exactly opposite the point
from which IL broke on the night Of August
li-nhmely, southeast. And with II came
rain-A pent.up deluge that laced the sea
aud sky with parallel lines like strings Of
polished steel wire. While We held the wind
astsrn Il was cudurable, but later, when We
bore into the gale, cne' y face could not suffer
long exposure 30 the blast that drove the
liquid pellets before Il like volleys OF buck
shot.
We had not held our way for long when
il became plain that to escape by running
was impossible, as the following seas reached
a height and speed that threatened To poop
the schooner at any moment. II had finally
came TO laying 10 or being wrecked out OF
hand, and every opening in the weasel was
closed as tightly as possible in preparation
for the move
IL was an anxious moment when the ma
neuyer to come about was made. Each one
was lAShsd to his post, and, when gave the
order to jam down the helm, ] knew that
saiystion or destruction might lie in the
coming brief minate.
The wind with which we had been fleeing
fell ~ we struck the trough Of the ses, the
mountainous bllows making fair lee 10 the
deck. had closed my eyes as the wheel
flew over, and when from an instant OF com.
parative calm thr gallant vessel rose and
| felt the solid blast in my face instead Of
on my back, ! shouted a thanksgiving, and
in the ecstasy of my relief from hong nervous
tension shook hands with the sailor by my
side as though he had been my lifelong friend
instead Of an enemy IN whose tsath had
determined the night before.
Even though we were safely hove into the
wind the gale 90 increased in forca as TO
make II impossible to carry even double
reeied mainsail. and there were no means At
hand for further reduction Of canvas saving
to take sII In. met the difficulty by max.
ing a sea anchor Of the wreck Of the top
hamper, binding the mas together and
heaving Il overheard with line attached,
then, by stripping the vessel Of It's last rag.
to this drag we rode across the fearful bii-
| lows with less straining, nov pointing
squareiy into the winds eye.
But, though the Phsntom's antics were
reduced in violence and we existed In com.
parative comfort. the schooner was far from
being secure, since the whoIe seas that rose
and comtsd ovsr che bows threatened again
and again to swamp the craft, for, ere her
s~appers could relieve her of the terrible
weight Of water from ono wave, another
would follow and tear aft, at times driving
her bow fairly under. There was nothing
| 10 do but knock away great sections Of the
bulwarkx 10 give free drainage 10 the food,
and. this done. ne could but stand and wait
for what fstr had in store.
II was when we were thus driven to IN.
action that one life was Lost. was stand.
irg by the wheel, drsnehed. exhausted, and
| fast lall.ng into nay former state Of daIl
apathy. The galley dccfs had been fastened
| 20 keep out the water, and the foreeastls
hatch was closed, though NOT secured. Larry
and the New Bedford man were ciose 10
uss, errrched ia the ie@ cabin hsase. To ro
forward was to ccurs death, and, though
the quarter was 10 place for a seaman on
duty, al attempts II discipline and sea Ell.
qnstte had given way hciuse the csusHaoH
danger, and both men kept aft 70 be clear cs
ske rush Of the sea.
In kaif-drsamy way was coming the
hcriEon dead ahead when saw the fore
c.stle deer open srd the man who had de-
6sd ma ktep 20 tAe deck at ss interval when
| fsr moment the deluEs had subsidized He
wss suffering assar from his wrencbsd srm.
| To- VI face was workiHg. and be held the
vssn&ed limb n biz rixkt ksnd. Tke Dah
! = 4 Aad prshshls driv~a bin r. desosEs'