The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-08-21

All WIFI you, MT. " NELL, ana see Inat
the helm is shifted exactly as | direct
Make no mistake. Lively, men. for
your livesv'
The eager crew sprang to their sta
tons. There was another moment or
two of confusion, and as they settled
down the silence was broken only by
the wind and waves. The water was
seething and whirling under the fore
foot of the Ranger. The reefs upon
which the Maidstone had crashed were
dangerously near. But the keen eye of
the captain had seen on the other side
slender needle of rock over which the
waves broke in SETTLING fury as it
thrust itself menacingly out Of the an
CRY ocean. They were right among the
reefs, and only the most complete
knowledge and consummate seaman
ship could save them. They were there.
To tack ship now and come up in the
wind would throw them on the rocky
needle; to go off would bring them
down upon the other reefs. Jones, en-
tirely master Of the situation, perfectly
cool in appearance, though his eyes
snapped and sparkled with fire, leaned
out above the knightheads and keenly
scanned the sea before him. There was
just room for the Ranger to pass be-
tween the two reefs. A hairs breadth
on either side would mean destruction.
AS the captain watched the boiling wa
ter me seemed to detect through a
slight change in the course q tremor in
the hand on the wheel.
"Aft therer' he shouted promptly.
what are you about? Steady with
that helm! No higher OFF,
aye, aye, sir" replied O'Neill,
standing watchfully at the con. 81 will
mind it myself
The crash of the breakers as they
writhed their white crested heads
around tie ships bows and on either
side was appalling to every one. They
were right IN them now-passing
throuGh them. The rocky needle on
the la card hand slipped by and drew
astern The wreck Of the Maidstone
was los sight Of in the flooding waves
and dri, ,ng spray of rising gale. The
ship was roaring through the seas at
terrific rate; the strain upon every
thin@ was tremendous; broken spar.
a parted rope, meant lost ship.
every we'll dyce," cried the captain,
casting Il glance aloft at the weather
leech OF the topsails shivering in the
fierce wind, the quivering masts and
grooming rardarms, the lee shrouds
hanging ok, the lee braces and head
bowline.s taut as strung wires, the
tacks and sheets and the weather
shrouds as rigid as iron bars, the new
canvas like sheets Of marble. The ship
was heeled over until the lee channels
were almost awash, the spray coming
on In bucketful over the lee cathead.
She was ready if ever she would be;
their fate was at the touch.
snow" shouted Jones in a voice of
thunder, "down with the helm! Over
with it-hard overv'
The old experienced seamen put the
wheel over spoke by spoke, slowly at
first. then faster, until they finally
hauled it down hard and chung to it
with all the strength Of their mighty
arms.
"Helm's-a-lee, hard-a-leep' cried
O'Neill at this moment.
rise tacks and sheets!' roared the
captain.
The ship shot up into the wind,
Strengthened herself as its pressure
was removed from the sails, lost head
way. the jibs swinging and Juggling in
hn 10 CHI 10 10 lor.
board away from the reef on the star
board side. She worked around slowly
until the wind began to come in over
the starboard bow.
Haul taut.' shouted the watching
captain. "Mainsail haulr'
The great yards, with their vast ex-
panse of Stating, roaring, thrashing
canvas, whirled rapidly around as the
nimble crew ran aft with the sheets
and braces. The Ranger fell off quick
ly and drifted down toward the needle,
the aftersails aback.
BOARD that main tack there! Man
the head braces! Jump, men, lively!
Let go and haul"
There was frightful moment.
Would she make it? She stopped. All,
thank God, they gathered way again,
slowly, then faster.
Fright the helm; meet her-so.
Steady! Get that main tack down now!
Tail on to it. all of you. sway away!
Get a pull on the lee braces, Mr..
O'Neill, and haul the bowlines. All,
that's well donev'
They were rushing through it again.
The white water and the breakers
were left behind. A sigh of relief broke
from the reckless men, and even tie
iron captain seemed satisfied with his
achievement as he walked aft to the
quarter deck.
Get good offing, Mr.. O'Neill," said
the captain, land then heave to. First
send the hands aloft to take in the
to'gallant sails, and then you may get
q boat ready. We must see if there
are any poor creatures left on that
ship yonder."
Every good, sir" replied the lieuten-
ant, giving the necessary orders, when
presently the ship, easier under the re-
duced canvas, was hove to in the beat
ing sea.
"Shall I take the weather whale
boat, sir?"
"Yes," returned the captain. Il think
you had better try to board under
her lee if it be possible to do anything
among that wreckage. doubt If there
be anybody left alive on her, but we
can't afford to risk the possibility, es-
pecially in the case of that woman
whom YOU found so beautiful" be add