Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-05-05
CHAPTER XIV.
"AII That Was Left of the Home
ward Bound"

II was nlSnt. NOT nlSII VI "i'AN
and tempest, but a night in which
the clouds drifted slowly-slowly-
weeping their tears of Springtime sor-
row, over dying winter, into the thirs-
ty sea: a night when the clouds SEEM
ed to stoop lower-lower-until they
dragged their misty draperies upon the
waves: a night so dark, so damp, so
utterly given. over to the showering
waters above and the swinging waters
below, that one seemed lost in the
dread immensity-cast away in this
black chaos in which il was hard 10
say where sea ended and cloud began
and harder to say whether there was
earth below or sky above, anywhere.
Almost all the sails had been taken
in on the Oceans Own. There was no
wind to carry them on their way. Mr..
Prier had no particular way in which
to go if there had been. Mr.. Prier had
come out to search the sea for Jas
per Jahnway and the Homeward
Bound. He meant to search thorough
lv. And how could he search here?
What could he do in the black night
and the thick darkness? With the sun
shine or the moonlight on the water
or even with the star-sown azure
vault mirroring itself in the long
waves sweeping along the sea, he could
hunt and hope. But, tonight, he was
powerless: tonight. he must put no
faith in sails or in rudder; tonight,
he must make no use Of instruments
or observations; tonight, he must have
no confidence in himself; tonight, it
must be a stronger hand than his
guide: tonight, it must be greater
mind than his to direct; powerless-
lost-a mere waif of ocean-tonight he
could only trust in God!
Everything was peaceful and hap
py on the Oceans Own. Prier was IN
the cabin. The captain sat opposite
him. Most Of the crew were comfor-
tably disposed, and were enjoying
themselves thoroughly. A few, includ-
ing Gullens, clothed in such a way as
to be as thoroughly protected from
the storm as was possible, kept watch
on deck.
Tomorrow" began Prier.
1t is not true that tomorrow" has
been the rock on which Failure has Of
tener wrecked itself, and that to which
Success has more frequently fastened
the cable-chai Of the anchor of its
hope, than any other?
Tomorrow"
And Gullens came shouting to them
all to come on deck.
Come" he cried, hoarsely; come
quick, for Gods sake!"
They hurried on deck. There was
nothing to be seen. Not a glimpse Of
white to tell of a passing sail. Not
a shadow, still deeper than nights
darkness. to show a vessel slipping
away from them like a half-remem-
bered dream. Not a light-on the sea
or in the heavens above. There was
nothing to be seen. Nothing.
But they listened. They listened
carefully.
Far away, so far that one scarcely
knew at first whether it was n harder
shower VI ram poNNSiii6 iii'' N''N 'NN>'
or a breeze suddenly sprung up in the
drenched air. they could hear sound
A sound that grew and intensified as
the seconds licked themselves into
eternity. A sound like a whisper of
danger-a sound like a murmur OF
menace-a sound like a muttered threat
Of evil-a sound like a thunder of tri-
umphant malice-a sound
AN ocean steamer" said the cap
tain.
Coming at full speed" said Prier.
And straight our way" added Gun
lens. What can we do?" asked Gull
lens.
Nothing" said the captain.
Except wait" concluded Prier
They had not long to wait. The
steamer was coming at a terrible
speed. Their anxiety would soon be
over. Whatever the result. there were
only a few moments for either hope
or fear.
Which side of us will they go?"
asked an old sailor.
He had a wife and children in
Maine. and the roar of the approaching
vessel somehow made him think OF
them. and more tenderly than usual
ITO the right" said GullenS.
"To the left" said the captain.
But Prier stood silent, and only lis
tened.
The old sailor laid his hand on the
detectives arm.
What do you think?" he asked.
What" said Prier.
What do you think? Which is
right
Il don't know. II think
began Prier.
He paused. more as though he had
forgotten to speak than for any other
reason.
The old sailor laid his hand on his
arm again.
What do you think" he persisted
THAT | heard a voice out there ir
the darkness, a cry Of terror and de-
spair. Did you not hear it? There!
there it is again! Did you not hear il
them"
No" said the sailor, Il did not heal
j., and | did not mean that. Which
the steamer was very near now anc
they could see her lights rising highe,
and higher, and seeming to move
straight toward them without swerv'
ing to the right hand or the left
e-waS-right?
Il do not know"
For Gods sake, what do yo'
think"
Il think-neither," said Prier. sol
emnly: but did you not hear tina
cry again, louder, wilder, more agon
lied than before"
Il did not hear it," said the captain
"it must have been your imagination.
Nor did l." said the old sailor
Nor l." echoed Gullens.
And then. suddenly, it rang ou
op1