Evening star., 1928-05-14
WORLD FAMOUS STORIES
ny CAPTAIN MARRYAT.
WEATHERINC A POINT

| MY lads" said the captain to the
ships company, "you have behaved well
and I thank you. But must tell you
| honestly that we have more dificulties
to get through. We have to weather a
point of the bay on this tack. Mr.. Fall
con, splice the main-brace and call the
watch. How's her headp"
| Southwest by south Southerly sir. "
Very well. Let her go through the
water"
And the captain, beckoning to the
mate to follow, went down into his
cabin.
! Some time later the superior officers
were In conversation with the captain.
| The men, who knew what to expect,
were assembled in knots, looking very
grave. But they knew they could trust
to the captain, as far as skill or courage
could avail them. BY IL o'clock the
rocky point we SO much dreaded was in
sight. broad on the lee-bow. II the low.
sandy coast appeared terrible, how much
more did this, even at a distance? The
captain eyed 1t In silence for while.
Mr. Falcon, we must put the MAIN
sail on her." he said at last.
She never can bear It, sir"
"She must bear It'll" was the reply.
The mainsail was set and the effect
of 1t upon the ship was tremendous.
She careened over SO that her lee chan
nels we're under the water, and then,
| pressed by q sea, the lee side of the
quarterback and gangway were afioat.
| She now reminded me Of a goaded and
fiery horse. mad with the spurs applied !:
not rising as before, but forcing herself
| through whole seas and dividing the
waves. Four men were secured to the
wheel; the sailors were obliged to cling
to prevent being washed away: the ropes
were thrown in confusion to leeward:
every eye was fixed aloft, watching the
masts, which were expected every mo-
ment to go over the side.
| The ship was now within two cables
length OF the rocky point. Some few of
the men observed to clasp their hands.
but most OF them were silently taking
| off their jackets and kicking Off their
| shoes. that they might not lose a chance
Of escape provided the ship struck.
The captain and the mate went aft
and took the helm. The roaring of the
seas on the rocks and the bowling of
the wind were dreadful, but the sight
was more dreadful than the noise As
near as could judge, we were not 20
yards from the rocks at the time when
the ship passed abreast of them. We
were in the midst of the foam which
bOiIC0 aiOuAIQ dS, niIQ hS tLlc slip Was
driven nearer to them and careened
with the wave thought that our main
yardarm would have touched the rocks.
| At this moment gust Of wind came
on which laid the ship on her beam
ends and checked her progress through
the water. while the noise was deafen-
ing. A few moments more the ship
dragged on. another wave dashed over
her and spent itself upon the rocks.
while the spray was dashed back from
them and returned upon the decks. The
main rock was within 10 yards OF the
counter when another guest OF wind laid
us on our beam ends, the foresail and
mainsail split, and were blown clean
out of the bolt ropes. The ship righted,
| trembling fore and aft. looked astern.
The rocks were to windward on our
quarter-and we were safe.
| ] thought at the time that the ship,
relieved Of her courses and again lifting
| over the waves. was not bad example
OF the relief felt by US all at that mo-
ment, and. like her, we trembled as
We painted with the sudden reaction and
felt the removal Of the intense anxiety
| from our breasts