Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-01-18


the captain.
81 knew him years ago, replied Tom.
land we had some trouble. 1t doesn'.
matter what it was about, but his nose
got broken, and he hates me as hard az
| do him. lie may be good sailor
however. and no doubt he is. He used
TO sail with my father"
A hail from the tug saved Tom any
further explanation. and as the captain
hustled off to reply Avery came cut of
the cabin and joined his roommate, who
told him briefly about the recent trou.
bic, making no mention OF the original
cause Of the enmity between himself
and Rider, for the charge against his
father was too sore a subject 90 pass his
lips.
by the time dinner was over the ycs-
scl was well down the harbor. When
Boston light was reached the westerly
wind began 10 froshen and the sails
stood full. Lines were hastily east or
the tugs whistle gave a short blast as
parting salute. and. with "a graceful
nod OF her sharp bow I'm return. the
bark shot toward the open water. with
every square inch Of canvas pulling al
the sheets. aud The captain rubbing his
horny palms with delight az the pros
pect Of a fine departure.
John Avery was an old sailor and the
motion Of the vessel caused him no in
convenience. but Tom was soon
stretched ia his bunk. where he re-
NAMED the better part OF two days.
while the Scahird flow along before the
favorable gale in manner which did
not belle her name
When he managed TO get on deck
Cape Cod was more than 300 miles
astern, and already the weather was
beginning to grow milder. \ few days
more made him completely well and
long before the equator was reached
he had acquired quite a professional
roll and felt perfectly at home.
OF the mate he saw very little, rs the
latter stood watch and watch with the
second officer being on deck every
other four hours. night and day. Mr.
Greer, the second mate. was a bright,
active young man about Tom age, and
The two became very friendly as the
Seabird sped steadily 10 the southwark
1t seemed as if old Neptune had made
an extra effort 10 help the vessel along
for she escaped the customary Gains
near the line and caught the southeast
trades the same day she lost those from
the northeast which had served her so
well. No incident Of Importance oc-
CURED TO break the monotony Of the
voyage, and as they stood by the wheel
one noon when Capt. Coffin was taking
his observation he announced that they
were rs far south of the line a. Boston
was north OF L.
Then he wsnt below 90 look at the
glass, cast a careful glance around the
horizon, and went below once more.
only to reappear on deck.
There amt n cloud I'm the sky" he
said, bIuntly, "but the glass is going
down as though the bottom had
dropped out of everything We're GO
iug to catch it, as sure as my name is
seth Coffin. My glass never lied to me
vet"
Gradually the wind died out, until the
Seabird lay bccalmed, rising and fall
ng on the swell, but the sky remained
clear The barometer continued TO fall
in an alarming manner. and after an
hour the heat became oppressive
Then from all quarters Of the horizon
a mass of white clouds arose, until they
presented the appearance of huge
mountains of snow. darkening as they
assembled, and massing together until |
they formed a canopy overhead, en-. |
tirely conccaling the blue sky above. |
Soon they deepened until the whole |
heavens were solidly black, as if COW
red with folds Of velvet. In a few
places, however, the color seemed TO
vary to a dark purplish gray, as one
edge of an overlapping cloud was ex-
posed.
Long before this time all hands were /
on deck. and the Seabird was stripped |
for the battle with the elements. What |
ever his other faults, Obed Rider was |
good seaman, and, with but few |
suggestions from the captain. he had /
made everything snug, only close /
recfcd maintopsail and storm staysail /
showing aft. while a portion of the /
foretopmast staysail stood out white /
and Gear against the gloomy back
ground. i'm readiness TO pay her head Oft |
when needed.
There was painful stiffness, broken /
only by the mournful monotone in the /
rigging which always precedes hurri-
cane. as though the craft knew her dan
ger and tried TO utter her feeble pro
test against the forces Of nature.
Suddenly far above thc mastheads.
sounded am uncarthly scream, as If the
storm demons had united in sounding
The charge Still the sails hung idly.
and not breath OF air could be felt.
Then in the far distance a long.
bright streak suddenly Illuminated the
horizon. increasing with marvellous ra-
piGity until an could see what seemed
TO bc an endless line OF rolling SNOW.
il was impossible go bring the vessels
head UP 10 meet the danger without
wind. and she lay holIlcss I'M its path.