The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1903-10-23
From Brute
@ o Ma n
foriginal1

I 10 aEa'ttAH''l
The mutlnecrs hGd killed the captain,
two mates and won the Aida. Tie
third mate, Edward Webster had civ.
en- them so much trouble. killing Two
Of their number, that he was reserved
for death by some prolonged torture.
They were trying to devise something
unique. When passing IN island one OF
them said:
Il tell You, mates. what wen do.
Let's take him ashore and when the
tides out bury him up to his neck in
the sand. Then when It turns hen
get the sl0west drowning man ever
had
There was Shout of approval to
this, and several OF tue men went for.
ward to drop the anchor while others
lowered a boat from the dayits. When
all was ready Webster was put into the
boat and rowed ashore The tide had
Just passed the flood. and it would be
eleven hours before another high wa.
ter. The mutineers dug hole at The
highest line Of foam and put their cap.
tive in it, leaving his head free. Ills
arms pinned close TO his sides. Filling
in the sand, they stamped it down
about him so that 1t was Impossible
for him to move. Then they took to
their boat, guying him as they pulled
away.
SO long as Webster had them and the
ship to look at his mind did not wholly
rest upon his condition. He watched
them till they went aboard, saw them
raise the anchor and sail away. keep.
ing his mind upon them till the last
ray Of sunlight faded from the ships
sails.
Above the horizon where the bark
had disappeared hung a dark cloud
like a sea gull with outstretched wings.
Then there was a faint flash of light.
ming. "There'l be a Storm" thought
the captive, "and it will shorten this
agony, driving the tide in earlier and
higher. May it come quickly"
1t was O'Clock in the evening when
Webster was buried, and Till midnight
three-quarter moon sailed between
black, ragged clouds, while occasion
ally flash of lightning added to the
terrible splendor Of the scene. It was
the ocean-the black, hcavlng, tum.
bling ocean-its merciless waves fall,
ing heavily on the beach with monot.
onous regularity, that was the chief
horror. The captive watched the re,
ceding tide, saw it turn and then crawl
slowly upon him. No stealthy jungle
beast could be half so terrible,
And what was his chief thought for
the world which he was about to leave?
Alas for humanity, the instinct of the
brute creation predominated. With his
suiferings was mingled hatred for
the men who had caused 1t. At such
intervals as his mind reverted TO aught
but his situation it fell upon methods
of revenge he would delight TO infict
on his murderers.
Slowly the relentless ocean advanced.
Had it life it would not have been so
awful. Its unreasoning, inevitable. pur.
pose was its greatest horror. He knew
that he was helpless, but could not re.
frain from an effort TO free himself
Had he been able TO move even infni.
tesimally he might in time loosen The
sand about him. 1t was his Inability
to stir at all that pinioned him.
Soon, after midnight the storm burst
As the tide rolled in the breakers in
creased in size and strength. Then
came the dawn of day BY this time
the extreme line of foam enclrclcd the
captive's neck.
And now came ray Of hope. Web.
ster noticed that when the first wave
to reach him receded It took with it
sand from under his chin and left sand
at the back of his neck. Another wave
came and took more from in front.
leaving more behind. Then as the seeth.
Ing foam passed over him he held his
breath, regaining it when the water
had withdrawn. Each receding wave
piled sand behind ana scooped sand in
front He bent forward; his arms were
loosened; he dragged himself from his
hole.
He went to the crest Of a dune and.
throwing himself down, slept When
he awoke the tempest had Iulled, but
the ocean was chatting more fiercely
than before. From his elevated posi-.
ton be saw a mile to his left strand.
cd ship and knew from her rigging
that She was the Aida. He ran down
TO point opposite her and saw men
putting Off on raft. 1t tumbled for Il
moment on the curl of comber, then
capsi2ed, leaving its crew in the water.
Webster saw man being driven 10.
ward a protrudIng rock Rushing to
its outermost edge, he caught the help
less creature, saved him from being
dashed TO death and drew him away
from the turmoil Of brine. Another
was thrown senselcss on the beach and
was about to be carried back when
| Webster dashed in and saved him A
third was swimming on the breakers.
At the risk Of his life Webster went
out beyond a foothold ana dragged
him in. There were ten men on the
raft, and these three were all that
came ashore alive.
Then the three men who were saved
stood before their rescuer, whom they
had intended 10 barbarously murder.
Men" Webster said, "last night
when ! saw the black fcnd coming to
drown me longcd to torture you to
death. That. suppose, is the brute in
mo. Then when saw you struggling