Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-03-14
ALife Preserver

Il ~
Otago, and they had run the AS
syrian (Black Star clipper till sh,
couEl not run any longer, becaus'
the big seas, running faster thar
she did, caught her and tried hare
to swamp her.
They would have done it, too
only her skipper brought her to the
wind 800 miles to the south ard o.
the Horn. She lay hove to like 3
duck, and after the first big smoth-
er, when the helm was put up, al
dry as a cork.
It is not every ship that will do
this. But the Assyrian was one OF
them.
She rode gently up one big wa
terry slope and down the next yaWn-
ing valley down till her white
t'gallant crosstrees looked black in
the shadow cast by the green hill,
then up again into the cold southern
ocean sunlight.
The wind howled and shrieked
through the rigging, bare and stiff,
and swept along the yards in vain
attempts to tear the canvas from
its gaskets and, failing .miserably,
swooped down with wild roar on
to the tarpaulin stretched in the
mizzen rigging which it fattened till
the ratlines showed through it like
the ribs Of a skeleton.
ItWas blowing as it only can blow
down there five or six gales dashed
together with round sennit.
One watch, sea booted, oil skin
ned and mittened, was hanging
about for'ard and under the break
Of the foc'sle.
The other one had turned in, all
standing and ready for a call. In
such weather no man knows from
minute to minute what may happen.
It was bitterly cold The skipper
and the chief were below. The sec
ond mate stamped the poop, squint-
ing doubtfully every time he turned
aft at the great sea mountains which
curled bullying up, overhung the
taffrail for a minute and then, as
the ship rose, rolled away with
deep, hoarse below of disappoint-
ment.
To 1eeward, over the. white, soapy
swirl Of the breaking combers,
swooped, futtered and screamed a
flock Of mollyhawks and cape pi-|
geons, while a few albatrosses sailed
majestically around.
Presently the second mate, COM
ing to the poop rail, sang out,
"Johnson!"
Aye, ave. came back from the
group for'ard as man lurched aft.
ssThere's an Irish pennant on the
fore t'gallant brace, John
son" said the second mate. Up
ye go an get it off. Look slippy,
noWo
The man, tall, raWboned, pow
srful "bluenose,'' got on to the rail |
md, standing there, with his hand |
N the shear pole, said disgustedly: |
Another work up jobl HAHN
lgen, is you, you greaser hound,
l-sendin' a man on a boys errand."
None O. yer 1ip!o exclaimed the
econd mate saYagely, for he was in
IN evil temper, the steward having
topped his grog. ssNone O yer lip,
n I'll log YEP,
eff 'twasn't that I don't want a
lad discharge out of her., retorted
he other, slowly beginning to climb
lnder the gale which pinned him to
he rigging, I'D come over an kick
-er head off! But when get ashore
I'll hang for you!"
This in such tone of deep con-
,iction as allowed of no doubt what
yer. And SO the sSgreasero appear
d to think, for, without arguing the
,oint, he resumed his walk, and the
ther his long unnecessary journey.
And all hands for'ard, having
!othing else to do, watched the yell
ow figure like some great lizard
lown flat into the shrouds and
up them ratline at a
ime.
sUgh!s exclaimed one cts a
neezer up there! Wonder how Mr..
treaser AisseH I'D fancy it? Reg
ar hazer, e isl An 'e's allus lad
down on Dan"
"a man as I'D send another up
here when it's a-freezin' fit to cut
be top hanks off a Greenland mans
ID amt got the feelin's Of a canni-
al savidgew remarked another,
an all for the sake O bit O. par
elm as wouldn't tie up q sore fin
er."
.sNever mind" put in third
as he shivered. "Anoth-
{ week or two, an well be dom