Morris tribune., 1905-03-18
MAB|

III
IAI upon them from the frigate,
@ which had fired broadsde,
t@G&S which was followed presently
by the whistling of shot over their
heads Great rents were seen in the
canvas. pieces of running gear fell to
the deck. there was crashing, rendin2
sound. and part of the rail left stand
ing abaft the mizzen shrouds smashed
into splinters and drove inboard under
the impact of heavy shot.
One splinter struck the man at the
helm in tie side: he fell with shrek
and lay white and still by the side of
the wheel. which. no longer restrained
by his hand. spun round madly. An
other splinter hit the sword of Talbot.
breaking the blade and sweeping 1t
from his hand. and the unlucky scrap
of paper was blown into the sea. The
spanker sheet was cut in two, and the
boom swept out to windward. knock
ing one of the men overheard. There
was neither time nor opportunity to
pick him up and he went to his death
unheeded.
Seymour dropped his sword, every
instinct of sailor aroused, and sprang
to the, horse block The ship, left to it
self. fell OFF rapidly before the wind.
Bentley jumped to seize the helm.
Flow fhe head sheets there"' cried
the lieutenant. Lively! Aft here and
haul in the spanker. Brazil up the fore
sail. Down. hard down with the
HEINZ
There was another broadside from
the heavy guns of the frigate. Talbot
replied with his stern chaser. and
cloud of Spiinters showed that the shot
took effect whereat the men at the
gun cheercd and loaded, and then
crash went the mizzen topgallant mast
above their heads.
Lively, men, shouted Seymour,
ave must get on the wind again or
We are lost" .-...
Breakers on the starboard bow"
Ehrieked the lookout on the forecastle
suddenly. Breakers on the port bow!'
His voice ran aft in shrill scream
fraught with terror, Breakers ahead"
"Down. hard down with the helm,
Bentley" said Seymour, himself spring
ing over to assist the old man at the
wheel.
But Bentley raised his hand and kept
the wheel steady. TOO late, sir, for
that" he cried, 1--WE are in the pass.
God help us now. sir. Mr.. Seymour,
look to the ship, sir; look to the ship"
The young officer sprang back on the
horse block. his soul filled with horror.
So fate had decided for him at last,
and duty, not love, had won the mighty
game. A third broadside passed harm
lessly over the ship, doing little dam
age, the rough weather making aim
ing uncertain. Again the fieldpiece re-
piled Seymour never turned his head
in the direction of the frigate. He
could not look upon the catastrophe;
besides, the exigency Of the situation
demanded that he give his whole mind
TO coming the ship through the mar
row pass. Bentley himself, assisted by
q young sailor, kept the helm; the old
est seaman had charge of the braces.
The wreck of the mizzen topgallant
mast was allowed to hang for the pres
ent
The white water dashed about the
ship in sheets of foam. They were well
In the breakers now, and the most ig-
norant eye could see the danger. One
false movement meant disaster for the
ship for whose safety Seymour had
sacrificed so much. He did not make
It. To his disordered fancy Katharine's
white face looked up at him from
every breaking wave. He steeled his
heart and gave his orders with as
much ease and precision as If it had
been a practice cruise. To the day of
his death he could not account for his
ability to do so. He made a splendid
figure standing on the horse block, his
:. hair flowing out in the wind, his face
deadly pale, calm, cool, steady, his
voice clear and even, but heard In
every part of the ship. The heart of
the old sailor at the helm yearned
toward him and the seamen looked at
him as If he had been a demigod. He
never once looked back. but from the
cries of the men he could follow every
motion Of the frigate behind him The
fngate. the unsuspicious frigate, had
followed the course of the transport
exactly and was coming down to the
deadly rocks like. hurricane.
:, Talbot. his quarrel forgotten for the
noment, ceased firing and stood, with
;, aii Of the men who could be spared
from their stations. looking aft at the
:. tremendous drama being played.
The frigate! Look at the frigate!
Bhe's going to strike, sirr' cried one. of
the seamen excitedly-old Thompson,
who had sailed upon her. ''See, they
zee the breakers. Now there go the
head yards. 1t won't do. It's too late.
Ny God, she, strikes, she strikes! I'll
have one more shot at her before she
goes" he shrieked. taking hasty aim
over the loaded 'fieldpiece and touch
: ing the printing. t'Aye. and hit too.
Hnrrah! Hurrah! To Tophet with ye
= where ye belong. ye'-
-Silence aft" shouted Seymour. in
voice Of thunder. Keep fast that