Evening star., 1928-05-14

.tCapt Frederick Marryat. 17o2.1s4s, wa,
famous Ensiish novelist ana writer h 3r,tss 81 see
navy This vivid description of a sailing
vessel rounding dangerous point is from
II was not an easy thing always te
make sailing vessel which relied en-.
tircly upon the changing wind for mo.
tive power do exactly as the captain
might wish. The wind might be deter
mined to drive the ship directly into
the breakers. especially II 1t carried al
sail and was making haste to escape ar
enemy or overhaul some prey.
The morning brought an awful sight
When the ship was in the trough of the
sea you could distinguish nothing but
waste of tumultuous water. But wher
she was borne up on the summit of the
enormous waves you then looked down
as it were, upon a low. sandy coast
close to you, covered with foam anc
breakers.
Suddenly the sails shivered and hap-
ped like thunder.
up with the helml" commanded the
captain. What are you about there2"
THE wind has headed us, SIR" re-
piled the helmsman coolly.
The captain remained at the binnacle
watching the compass. and when the
sails were again full she had broken of
two points and the point of land was
only little on the lee-bow.
Jump down." and the captain to the
mate. "and see the cable doubled -b1ttec
and stoppered at 80 fathoms. See II
we'll done-our lives may depend upor
It,"
The ship continued to hold her course
good. and we were within half mile oi
the point and fully expecting to weather
it, when again the wet and heavy
sails tapped in the wind and the shir
broke off two points, as before. The
officers and seamen were aghaSt, for the
ships head was right on to the breakers
"Luff now all you can" said the cap
tain My lads" TO the seamen, Il an
going to club-haul the ship, for there
is no room to wear. The only chance
you have Of safety is to be cool. watch
my eye, and execute my orders with
precision
The ship had closed-to within q quar-.
ter mile of the beach. and the wave.
curled and topped around us. bearing
us down upon the shore. which pre-.
sented one continued surface Of foam
extending to within half a cables Length
OF our position. The captain waved hi!
hand In silence to the man at the whee
and the helm was put down. The shiI
turned slowly to the wind. pitching ant
chopping as the sails were spilling.
When she had lost her way the cap
tain gave the order:
Let go the anchor We will haul al
at once, Mr. Falcon" he said to tht
mate.
Not a word was spoken The mer
went to the fore brace, which had no
been manned Most of them knew tha-
IL the ships head did not go around thu
other way we would be on shore anc
among the breakers in half minute.
At last the ship was head to wine
and the captain gave the signal. The
yard few around with such a creakins
noise that thought the masts had gone
over the side. and the next moment the
wind had caught the sails, and the ship
which for a moment or two had beer
on an even keel careened over to hel
gunwale with its force
The captain. who stood upon tht
weather hammock rails, holding by thu
main rigging, ordered the helm amid
ships, looked fun at the sails. and ther
at the cable, which grew broad upon thu
weather bow, and held the ship from
nearing the shore At last he cried:
Cut away the cablei"
A few strokes OF the axe were hearC
and then the cable few out Of thl
| hawsehole In blaze Of fire from th'
| violence of the friction and disappeared
| beneath a huge wave which struck u
on the chess-tree and deluged US Will
water fore and aft But We were nov
1 on the other tack and the ship regainet
| her way and We had evidently increase,
/ our distance from the land.