The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-19
PRAYING FOR BOTH SIDES.
. True story Pertaining TO . Much
Discussed Question.

TO THE EprroR or THE SUN-Sir: In
the year 1876 / was second officer OF a
big three masted schooner bound from
Jamaica to New York with n cargo OF
logwood. In the Florida Straits be-
tween Key West n Salt Key Bank
We ran into a heavy gale from the
southeast. the vessel was hove to during
the afternoon and all the following
night the next morning We found our
selves dangerously near Alligator Reef
Light. with the gale moderating. We
had lost part OF our sails during the
night, but w had enough LETT to keep
the vessel under steerage y As we
drifted down toward the reef to the
west Of Alligator Reef Lighthouse the
captain went up In the fo~rerigging and
instructed me to take the wheel and obey
his orders. He saw a spot In the reef
where the seas did not seem TO break
and called Port your helm J" Then I:
STEADY: keep the course you're head
Ing. =" On the reef We went and over
II without shipping a drop Of water or
ri striking bottom. and although the sca
Was running mountain high we soon
found ourselves In smooth water. the
hand lead showing four fathoms. We
were safe. and We all o a LONG
breath. as we had thought we were
dockned TO certain death. We ran along
in toward Metacombe Island and an
chored. There were soldiers on Meta
oombe Island that year on account OF
yellow fever In Key West. n the officer
IN charge gave us provisions. az We were
short and had become well acquainted
with pea soup. During the blow sew.
eral vessels were driven on the reef
from Key West Il Cape Florida There
vas a brig from Honduras with ma
hogany on the reef ear US. bottom up.
ali hands lost. .
While we were repairing sails n
getting the vessel ready TO continue our
voyage {, New York the captain was
invited b. a wrecker to a X Inner
with him. I, was of a Sunday and the
captain invited me. They had for din
ner "A snipe pot pie. a rare treat for us.
The wrecker was originally from ain
and his old mother had ON down to
live with her son. Before We sat down
81 the table this old mother In her lace
zap and spectscles first said grace.
The conversation naturally was about
the gale. the disasters and the loss OF
lie and property. The old lady was
quiet for a while, then she said mos
fervently and piously We'll. / have
been praying the good Lord for come
time TO send a hurricane. and ! know
this storm is in answer to my pray ers."
You see she vas quite conscientious
about II: her sons business was wreck
INK and she wanted him to prosper.
While the old lady was praying to the
Lord for disaster ] had a dear old
grandfather on Long Island who vas
praying for my safety morning. noon
and night. aud ! shall always cherish
the idea that the prayers OF that dear.
SANITY old lady were neutralixed 10 FAR
as ! was concerned by the prayers OF my
good old grandfather.
However. both the old lady and my
grandfather received answers 20 their
respective prayers.
When We came to go out over the
reef into the iu!f stream To continue
our voyage We asked our wTecker fr.erd
to pilot ~ out. lie said to tn" captain
$50 out where you came IN re- the only
hole IN the reef for miles either way
This may have some hearing or both
prayers being answered. Il vas tins
only way Il could be done.
ARiNGToS II. CARMAS.
FArcHoGuE. l.. J., February IS.