The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-10-22


early part of November, 1870. The good
ship Morning Light was lying at an
chor opposite large lumber mill on
the Salwin River in British Burma.
The work of loading the Lakewood
logs had been discontinued for the day,
and the crew had just finished wash
ing down the decks, for the next day
was veritabe day of rest, and every
part Of the ship must be clean and tidy
before knocking-off time.
Moored alongside the vessel were
large RATS of teak-wood, ten logs to
a raft, all we'll secured by ropes made
fast to the outer logs and hauled taut
and hitched inboard to the pin-rail
These RATS made convenient floating
stages for the crew to wash and bathe
on, and on this particular afternoon,
as soon as the men had finished work,
they swarmed over the rails and hand
over hand down the mooring ropes,
and were soon deeply immersed in riv-
er-water and soap-suds.
To the westward the sun was slow
ly sinking behind threatening bank
Of clouds that betokened a heavy rain
storm close at hand. On the river
bank the numbering, ungainly ele-
plants, the working corps of the saw
mill, were tramping slowly homeward
from their evening bath; and on deck
two tired, impatient youngsters were
hurriedly polishing the brass work,
aa n nj hni tac not
to their washing before the storm
came on. One of these boys was the
writer then on his first voyage; the
other was Phil DAILY, my ohum and fel-
low victim to the tyranny of the petty
officers in whose berth-room we were
Quartered.
With wipe and promise" we
finished our brass-work, hurriedly dis
posed of some cold tea and hardtack,
and dropped down on the raft with our
bundles of dirty clothes as the last of
the men climbed over the rail inboard
1t was almost dark as we dipped the
first pieces of our washing, laid them
down well soaped on the outside log
and proceeded to pound the dirt out
OF them with a heavy stick in the ma
tive fashion. Our only companion was
the skipper's dog, Rover, who, con-
trary to all nautical etiquette, had
bounded down the captains side-lad-
der and Joined us on the raft.
The heavy rain-clouds had by this
time entirely overspread the sky, the
wind was whistling fitfully through the
rigging, and now and again sheet
lightning cleaned brightly along the
horizon. Silently and rapidly W.
pounded and rinsed, rinsed and pound
ed, in our efforts to get back on decl
before the rain fell.
But, swift as we were, the elements
were swifter. With a deafening crasf
and binding glare that seemed t
scorch the eyeballs, the storm was up
on US. The rain descended in slantinl
sheets before the fierce squall, ant
fash followed flash, and peal followed
peal, until the sky was one blazing
thunderous chaos.
In the lull that followed the out
burst Of the storm I heard a sharp
startled cry from my companion and
as the lightning again blazed forth
l saw that the pals in which were ou
washed clothes, had slid from the loi
and were floating off downstream. AL
ready they were carried far beyon,
our reach by the force of the wind
Picking up boat-hook that lay near
We ran to the rear raft.
Casting of the after mooring rop
we pushed with hands and boat-hool
until that end Of the raft swung clea
Of the ships counter and almost int
the track of the approaching buckets
Then running across to the QUITE
corner, We cast out our boat-hook an
carefully hauled them in. But the shou
of triumph had hardly left our lip
when the forward mooring-rope part
ed with the strain, the raft swun
round broadside to the current an
dropped astern, and the hull Of tn
ship rapidly disappeared in the gath
ering gloom of the storm.
We shouted for help, but we Nigh
as well have saved our breath. Th
ship was already a good cables lengt
away, and the storm had driven a
hands below to their snug quarter
It might be hours before we were misi
ed. and then might as well confei
that our FIRST impulse was to lie dow
and have q good cry. for we were the
little more than children.
But the dog kept bounding from OF
to the other Of US. seemingly enjoyir
the new and strange situation. an
enalIy the boyish spirit Of adventul