Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 June 1892 — CAST UP BY THE SEA. [ARTICLE]

CAST UP BY THE SEA.

BY SIR SAMUEL W. BAKER.

CHAPTER X.—Continued. The cry of “A sail!” was heard, and as Paul, who was growing weak from loss of blood, for an instant looked at the sea, be saw the Polly, with two masts gone, drifting disabled some hundred yards away before the wind. His eyes became hazy; a giddiness seized his hrain as the blood flowed rapidly from his bounds; he knew no more: he fell upon the deck by the' side of the staunch Dick Stone. The loss of life had been fearful in this desperate hand-to-hand struggle: out of a crew of forty men, the schooner had lost her captain and twelve men killed, and fourteen wounded, leaving only fourteen sound men on deck. The shots from the Poljy’s long gun had hulled and raked the French vessel repeatedlv, and upon every occasion there had been a loss of life: the discharge of the blunderbuss alone had killed three and wounded six, and the schooner’s decks were strewed with dead and slippery with Blood. The The remaining portion of the crew jwere demoralized at the loss of their captain, and, seeing the large vessel that had been reported as a strange sail tjow rapidly. Approaching, they determined to leave the Polly to herself and to run from what they correctly suspected to be a British man-of-war. The schooner at once altered her course, and, with the loss of her fore-topmast, she attempted (her escape, leaving the Polly, whose •crew were busily engaged in repairing damages. { Hardly had the French vessel sailed a quarter of a niile, when a cloud of smoke for, an instant obscured the Polly, as a shot from her long gun passed through the schooner's rigging. The English crew had seen the approaching succor, and they continued to fire shot after shot, in the hope of disabling a spar or yard, to enable the cruiser to overtake the enpmy. //< In less than three quarters of an hour the brig-of-war, with the English colors flying, hailed the Polly, and. heaving to, she lowered a boat, and, upon hearing an account of the late fight, she took the lugger in tofr. The French schooner was out of sight, and, as the captain of the brig was under orders to proceed to .Falmouth, he declined to begin a chase that would lead her in an opposite direction, especially as the schooner might have altered her course, which would rent er her discovery most uncertain. Within an hour of the action the brig was under full sail toward Falmouth, with the disabled lugger in tow, while the wouuded men had been transferred to the King's ship and placed uuder surgical t:eat meat. We piust now return to the schooner, which steered direct for Dunkerque, As she lost sight of the , English cruiser, the crew regained their spirits, and, having the dead bodies overboard, they washed the ■soiled decks and carried the wounded men below. As one by one. the dead ""min 'were~ exmamed,''--an<rsfnpp!3; prior to being committed to the -waves, the sailors who were thus em■ployed came upon the bodies of Paul •and Dick Stone. They had just commenced their examination, and had turned Paul upon one side, when blood was observed to flow froffi one of the wounds, and upon a closer inspection it was discovered that he ■was not yet dead. As buckets of water were thrown upon the ;deck in all directions, the heave of the ves- - sei occasionally rolled the water in a considerable depth into the scuppers where the bodies of Paul and Dick Stone were lying. Having left Paul they now attempted to lift up the apparyntlv lifeless body of Dick for the purpose of throwing it over' board: with this intention, two men laid bold of it by the shoulders aiijS heels and dragged it toward .the open a gangway on the main deck. Before heaving it. * over they laid the ltody down, and one man exclaimed: ' Mon Dieu! what heavy people are these English! We could throw overboard two Frenchmen with less trouble than one rosbif Englishman. ’ As he said these words, to the horror of the Frenchmen the body of Dick. Stone suddenly sat up. and. looking about with an expression of extreme eooluess, he appeared to understand the unpleasantness of his .situation, as he exclaimed in a calm but faint voice: .. “You Hounseers are very perlite people, but I'll not trouble you to heave me overboard, as I can do that for myself whenever it s agreeable. ’ Having said this, he instinctively put his band into his trousers pocket •and drew forth his faithful pipe, which he deliberately filled; he then searched in his other pocket and produced his flint and steel: striking a light with difficulty, he faintly puffed his pipe, and then asked; ,T “Where’s my captain?” The Frenchmen pointed to Paul's * body; Dick stared mournfully at his commander's lifeless figure. “Wheee’s the Polly—the lugger?” continued Dick, still more faintly. The Frenchman pointed to the far horizon: /“Gone!” they exclainied. Dick’s eyes glazed and became fixed; the pipe dropped from his mouth; he fell backward on the deck and his features became rigid; a dense puff of smoke issued* from his mouth: the gallant spirit of Dick Stone had departed for ever. - *What droll peopleare these English!” who now examined the body Wt&fßuch curiosity. **Atl»th*i« dead. Give me a hand, and lift .his feet while I take his shoulders, now! •one! two! three!” . > i*. • . .

A dull splash was heard as the schooner steadily continued upon her course. V • J ■' CAAPTER XI. When we last parted from Ned Grey, the Sibylle, one pf the finest frigates of the British navy, wa3 plouging along with a fair wind at the mouth of the Channel on her yov: age to the Indian station. Although strangers on board,, it was hot long before an incident occurred that raised the new-comers in the estimation of both officers and crew, with whom they hacT already become favorites. It would have been hard to say which was the greater pet with the sailors —the nigger boy Tim, or the dog Nero; the former had become Cook’s mate, and was domiciled in the galley; while the latter was allowed to range anywhere except upon the quarter-deck, which sacred spot Nero learnt to respect after he had been only a few days on board, aud nothing would induce him to trespass beyond the forbidden limit unless called by the captain, who had specially adopted him^ Captain Cooke was one of the brightest ornaments of the service. Beloved b.v his' men, they were ready to follow him through anv danger; and, although he was well known to be heedless ot a superior force, his attack was invariably attended with success; he was accordingly considered to be a lucky captain, and when others found a difficulty in manning their ships the Sybill was always certain of a superior crew. The frigate had passed the boisterous Bay of Biscay, aud had made a rapid run to the Cape Verd islands. It was about an hour before sunset that the high peak 1 of St. Antonio was first observed bv a man at the J mast head bearing S. Si E., and, as j the evening closed, this lofty land- ' mark faded from view, and mingled ! with the gray bank of clouds tbat concealed tne horizon. The night was fine and starlight, aud the noble vessel flew through the water as, with studding sail set, she sailed like a huge white swan over the phosphorescent waves that sparkled with myriads of lights as though in mockery of the bright stars above. The foam rushed from, her bows in sheets of mimic fire, while a brilliant stream of light washed her dark sides and glistened in her wake like a river of molten metal, as the Sibylle woke, from their sleep the billions of animalculae — those glow-worms of the deep that light the sailor’s path in the aark and fathomless sea. Now a huge polypus gleamed in the deep as though some mermaid wandered with her lamp below; then smaller lights twinkled in the creaming waves, and huge and shining serpents phased each other in wild speed as the swift porpoises left their lpng imd brilliant trail illumined in the dark blue sea. It was a lovely sight; it was one Of t,hos6 glorious ocean scenes that are unknown by those whose lives are passed on shore. Each drop of water teemed with life; there was the so-called barren sea, the watery desert peopled with its countless myriads; bright universe above; the heavens with their hosts of brilliant worlds so distant, so incomprehensible, equaled only in their infinity by the ocean waves, each of which contained a thousand worlds—life witliinlife—-worid without end. -“The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. ” Ned Gre}' stood upon the deck and gazed below at the sparkling current ;is tne ship flew i-apidly on her way; he thought of home, of his' mother and of Edith: every instant the distance increased between them as the wind’liufried' the noble vessel farther and farther away. When, if ever, should he see their faces again? These thoughts "engrossed his attention, and, although he still looked fixedly at the phos- ! phorescent weather beneath, he al- ! most ceased to observe the brilliant scene, but merely gazed abstractedly, until a dark object struggling in the silvery stream arroused him from Ins reverie; almost at the same I iustant a loud cry waS? raised in the forepart of the ship—“A man over--1 board!” Instinctively, and without 1 a moment’s hesitation. Ned threw off ! his jacket, and repeating the Iplarming cry. he sprang boldly into the sea ’ 1 Rising auieklv to the surface after his deep plunge, Ned struciTout in the'direction of-the object that had first attracted his attention; this had vanished. “Where are you?” shouted Ned. A voice was beard far astern, at the same time Ned felt himself seized from behind by the shirt near the collar; in another iustant he felt a mires of silky hair as he reached back and found himself grasped by the strong teeth of his faithful dog. Nero was by his master's side, apparently sleeping on the deck, when Ned had sprung over the ship’s gangway, but, on seeing him disappear, the dog immediately lept overboard, and succeeded in catching him quickly his; reappeal ance on the surface. “Good old boy!” cried Ned, as he endeavored, to free himself from the dog; “loose it; old fellow! Let go, old man!” he continued, as Nero resolutely maintained his hold. After , some difficulty he released himself from the dog, who then accompanied him toward the object of their search, which could now be clearly made out “Bythe extreme brlghtoess of one ! partkaily spot in the water,caused hytne struggles of the person in the phosphorescence. -=7-— —r-r- --" Keep up till I come!” shouted ’ ,1. , ’ • >

Ned, to encourage the individual in question, who was about sixty yards distant, aod-without a thought for his own Safety he struck out with with increased vigor, with Nero swimming by his side. “Help! lam sinking!” cried a de-. sparing voice as Ned arrived within twenty , strokes of the struggling sailor. “Don’t.give in!” cried Ned, “I’ll save you!” and he redoubled his extertions to reach the drowning man; he was within a few feet of him, / when be suddenly threw his arms above his head, and he disappeared just as Ned was about to seize him by the hair. At that moment Nero dived, and following the bright light caused by the struggles of the sipking man, he caught him by the* shoulders and dragged him once more to the surface; without an instant’s delay Ned grasped him by the collar. “Hold him, good dog!” cried Ned, who found it difficult to hold the weight; but to his astonishment Nero relaxed his grip, and quitting the man, he caught Ned by the shirt sleeve at the shoulder. At this moment the head of the halfdrowned man turned, and the bright starlight shone upon the pale features of Jem Stevens. The dog had recognized him quicker than Ned, and nothing would .induce him to assist, it wa»in vain that Ned urged him on. Occasionally he relaxed his hold of his master and swam by his side, barking loudly, but he avoided Stevens with a stubborn determination. Several minutes elapsed in a severe struggle for life. Jem Stevens was ah enemy, but this fact only served to awaken the chivalrous nature of Ned Grey, who clung to him with a gallant tenacity that endangered his own life. Stevens was utterly helpless; he was half dead, and Ned would have been unable to hold his head above the surface had not the dog added to his buoyancy by holding him by the shdulder; even With this assistance .he was nearly exhausted. Several times he had swallowed large quantities of water, as for a few seconds the dog had relaxed his hold, when the shirt gave way, and Ned sank until Nero once mju-e glhsped a fresh portion .of his clothes. He was almost done, and he feared that for self-preservation he would be forced to relinquish his prize; he felt heavy in the water, and his limbs became almost leaden. Whenever the dog lost his hold he barked loudly, as though calling for assistance, but the Sibylle was far away; she had come sharp up to the wind at the cry of “man overboard,” and had laidJyher foretopsail aback, but she was ne&rly half a mile away from the spot before she could come round and lower ia boat. —

Once more Ned’s shirt gave way, and again he sank, and for an instant he loosed his hold of Jem Stevens; the dog barked loudly, and again he seized and supported his young master, who once more clutched the almost lifeless form of Jem Stevens, although "himself in the last stage of distress. At that moment, when it became positively necessary to sacrifice Stevens to save his own life, he heard a voice at no great distance: “Hold on, Massa Ned! Lord hab mussy pon us! Hold on, my dear Massa NedT Ti’tn got de life biiby! Tim coming quick catch Ned!” There was no mistaking the voice; it was hardly a hundred yards distant. and the hope of succor instilled fresh vigor into the sinking frame of the exhausted Ned. Nero had also heard the welcome voicenf* Nigger Tim, and,’for an instant relaxing his hold, he barked loudly in reply and then again supported his master. “Come quick, Tim, I’m very nearly done!” cried Ned. “All right. Massa Ned; tank God for Tim and de life buoy! I’s a coming!"’ In another mmul&, when N'ed could no longer have supported his burden, the dark and. welcome figure of Tim was seen within a few yards; he was swimming in the center of the life buoy with all his strength; and, gaining Ned, he slipped from his position. And assisted him to. the secure place, that he had vacated:at thesarab time with their joint endeavors they supported Stevens above the surface. Tim held on stoutly, while the dog, released from his labor, swam easily by the side of the party. In the meantime a boat was hurrying to their assistance from the frigato. The barking ot the dog was the first guide, but upon a-qearer approach the extreme luminous appearance of the water caused by the friction of the struggling swimmers directed the rowers to the spot. Although comparatively safe when clinging to the life buoy, much exertion was required to support the almost inanimate body of Stevens, and it was with a joyful sense of relief that Ned Grey hailed the arrival of the boat. “Back water!” shouted a voice as the boat spared them; at the same time a sailof iu the bow reached Ned with a boathook, grasping which the floating party was gently towed to the side and taken on board. Stevens showed no signs of life, and upon arrival at the frigate his body was hoisted on deck by a sling and at once consigned to the care of the doctor, while Ned and Nigger Tim quickly changed their clotnes, and,, refreshed by a glass of grog, they soon forgot their recent danger and escape. 'Nero had given himself a good shake, after which he was rubbed dry by several admiring sailors with a new swab, Ned Grey had only just reappeared on deck in a dry suit of clothes when he was summoned to the captain’s cabin. the door was opened bv the steward, and Ned found himself in *he presence of Captain Cooke, who was busily engaged in the -examine*

tion Of a chart of the Indian seas. As Ned appeared he rolled up -the chart f quickly, and, looking steadfastly for some moments at the lad without speaking, he at length asked his name. “Edward Grey, sir,” replied Ned. “You joined the ship against your inclination?" said the captain. “I was sorry to leave my home without a chance to say good bye, sir; but I’m proud to serve the King under you, sir,” replied Ned. “Well, Ned,” continued the captain, “the King may be proud of such a lad as yourself; you have done a gallant act to-night, and I am glad to have the command of one so young who has shown such courage and devotion. There are many: men who shine in the heat of action* but few who will risk their lives as you have done to save another. Tell me,” continued the captain, “is it ttrue that the lad you have saved is an old school fellow and a personal enemy?” “He was a schoolfellow, sir,” replied Ned, ‘ and I am sorry that he is an enemy. I trust that he may now forget the past,for I never gave him cause for dislike.” “Where do you live, and what is your occupation in England?” asked the captain^ Ned in a few words explained, and gave a short outline of his career, including the history of Nigger Tim s escape. “Well,” replied the obtain, 1 congratulate TEfire_are few_Jods_ of your age who have already saved two lives, and I trust that you will yet earn other laurels on board the Sybille. I need not tell you to do your duty, but I trust that the opportunity may soon arrive when you will prove yourself as brave under fire as you have beenjunder trials by water. Go, Ned, do your duty, and I wish I had many like you.” Ned’s heart beat with an honest pride as he left his captain’s presence. Ho felt at 4that moment as though be could dare the whole world to win his approbation, and he yearned for the moment when in the smoke of battle he should be able to gain a smile from his gallant com*mander. At the same time that these feelings occupied his thoughts, he longed to stretch out his hand to his old enemy, Jem Stevens, and to bury all enmity in the deep from which they had emerged. He had no sooner gained the deck than he requested to be allowed to visit Stevens, who was slowly recovering unde? the doctor’s care. He found him lying on the berth only half and apparently with a desire to sleep. The doctor had other patients to visit. and, as all immediate danger was past, he gave Ned a bottle that a gentle narcotic, of which he ordered him to give a tablespoonfut should he remain awake for more than half an hour. Ned sat by his berth, and watched the pale features of Jem Stevens by the dim light of lamp. The half hour passed, and, as he was still awake, Ned wished to give the draught that had been prescribed. He therefore gently took the band of Stevens that rested on ’ the bed ol’othes, and, pressing it affectionately , he whispered: ' ‘’Sfevens, tako this frofiai me. 1 promised the doctor to attend to you. Are you feeling better?” < There was no return on the part of Stevens to this friendly greeting; but, after gazing fixedly at Ned for a few minutes, he Coldly withdrew his hand, and, turning upon his side with his back to Ned, he muttered sullenly that he required no medicine but would go to sleep if left alone. □ Ned felt a pang as he quietly left the cabin and ascended to the fresh air of the deck. There was an unmistakable feeling in the withdrawal of the hand, and he knew that the stubborn nature of Jem Stevens was proof against all generosity. From that day Ned Grey held a high position in the opinion of both officers and crew of the Sybille; his ready obedience and alacrity in the performance of his duty, together ‘with hia-more than ordinary strength and activity, ensured him the good will of his superiors, while his general good nature and cheerful disposition, added to his well-proved courage, gained for him the admiration of the men. He had become an especial favorite with the captain, who had been much struck with his gentlemanly appearance and demeanor. Upon several occasions he had drawn from Ned certain descriptions of his former life that increased the interest he had taken, and he confronted Ned with the assurance that upon their arrival at the Indian station he would be able to write home to his parents and thus relieve their anxiety. At the same time, he advised him to stick* to his and that he would apply for his promotion, to enable him to enter as midshipman on the next voyage. There was only one individual among the entire crew of the Sibylle who aid not share the general feeling toward Ned Grey. This was Jem Stevens, who although he had |n some degree abated the insolence of his former demeanor, now sullenly passed him upon every occasion without condescending to notice his presence. Generosity of character is one of a sailor’s virtues, and the ingratitude of Jem Stevens, thus publicly exhibited, increased ’jjthe dislike with which he was generally regarded. In the midshipmen’s bferth he was positively hated; by the superior officers he was despised; aha the sailors had on more than one occasion declared that the dog Nero had *howfLmore discretion that Ned in refusing to assist' so worthless a * Mn— :■ ■ jj** 1 •" This was the state of feeling

among the officers and crew of ths Sibylle when, after a prosperous voyage during which she had captured several prizes, she arrived off the coast of Cpvlon, which was the first land sbnhad sighted since leaving the Cape Verd islands, The'frigate had coasted the southern portion of Ceylon at a distance that obscured all but the beautiful deep blue mountains of the interior which rose to an altitude that concealed their summits in the clouds. Upon rounding the eastern point the Sibylle steered directly north, and as the south-west monsoon was blowing strong, she coasted within ten miles of the shore to make the harbor of Trincomalee. Nothing could be more beautiful than the appearance'of this Paradise of the East. At times the lofty mountains although upward of sixty miles distant, appeared to be within a day’s march of the* vessel. The sea was deepest blue, and as the frigate stood close in shore when passing a projecting headland, the white surf was seen to-break upon the coral reefs almost at the feet of the waving cocoa-nut palms which formed dense groves even to the water’s edge. At times the native villages could be seen nestled among the shady palms. At length the latitude of the longed for harbor was reached, and the Sibylle steered direct for the shore toward the heights that rose near the entrance to Trincomalee. increased in beauty; the palms appeared to spring from the surface of the waves, and the hills, clothed with verdure to their summits, were reflected in the calm waters of the magnificent harbor, which, completely landlocked, lay like an inland lake surrounded by the most lovely vegetation of the tropics. (to be continued.)