Australia.

Otago Witness, Issue 1583, 25 March 1882, Page 25

Australia.

BY E. HtJDBON.

Author of ' Broken Fetters,' 'The Goldies of Golden Terrace,' ' The Heir of Thorwell Manor,' &c.

(Specially written fat the Witness.)

; , , Chaftkb IV. ■ . A cry of terror moaning o'er the sea, Men's faces whiten with a deadly fear, Wild glances, seeking in their agony Ifor help and succour from the death drawn near. •No sail I no hope 1 the ruthleßS waves go past, <, The hungry ranks of ocean charging fast,

Shoulder to shoulder

—JB. B. Tregear. •

E captain's prediction was verified. Towards midnight the wind rose, and began to sigh and moan through the rigging, like an imprisoned thing, wailing for freedom. Then, with one mighty blast, it burst its fetters, and roved and shrieked over the wild troubled sea, lashing the waves into fury, and sending the doonu^ ship scudding before it, through the ■ white and angry billows. When morning at length broke, the scene it disclosed to the unfortunate ship's company, offered as com- ■ plete a contrast to that of the day before, as if • they had suddenly been transferred to another planet. The fury of the hurricane had spent itself, but the sea was running mountains high, and it was raining heavily. Nevertheless, as soon as it was fairly daylight the captain prepared to lower the boats. All on board knew now that the ship could not float much longer. She had sprung a fresh leak in the storm, the water was gaining rapidly in the hold, and the pumps were choked and useless. The captain and some few of the crew and passengers did their duty with calmness and self-possession. Of the rest, some cursed and swore ? ajsuming a bravery they were far from feeling ; others prayed,' with unaccustomed lips, vowing frantic vows, with the vague idea, perhaps, of bribing the Almighty. Some— among them Mrs Allon —were in hysterics ; but the greater number, alas ! flew to the brandy-bottle, thus madly seeking to drown their sense of the danger, which by that very means they increased tenfold.. Among these last were to be found Mr Allon and Francis. The first boat was ■ launched successfully, despite the heavy sea which was running. . - V Women and children first,' cried captain Hencke, who stood revolver in hand, ready to check any attempt to rush the boat. 'Now then,' and one or two women were safely lowered. And then that which the captain had feared took place. Some of the crew and passengers, maddened by fear and drink, made a rush. Captain Hencke raised his revolver to fire ; it was wrenched from his hand, flung into the sea ; and the men crowded rapidly into the boat. Mrs Allon saw her husband and son among them. 'Husband! Francis!!' she cried, 'don't leave me ; save me too. Oh I husband, come back to me.' Her voice was inaudible through the roar of winds and waves, but her look and action spoke. They saw it and paused, they had been drinking, or surely, surely they would have returned. But that moment's hesitation was fatal. Mr Allon missed his leap, and with a wild cry sank in the yaAvning gulf, while Francis was flung back bruised and bleeding on the deck. Mrs Allon turned piteously to her youngest son. ' Kenneth,' she said, * you will not leave me' ' Never, mother. You will be saved, don't fear, only be quiet.' The boat now cast off, but being fearfully overcrowded, had hardly got away before she swamped, and her occupants were swallowed up by the fierce, insatiable billows. The second boat was now launched, when Dr Gryffyths, Btepping forward, and flourishing his walkingstick, declared, ' If any body wants his brains knocked out let him come on ! ' The defiant attitude of the plucky little doctor, combined with the awful fate of the first boat, had its effect, and the embarkation proceeded without futther interruption. And now the last boat was lowered. William Smith, who had quietly and effectively assisted the captain in many ways since the storm began, stood near with

his child in his arms, and his wife by his side, holding the motherless little Australia, who was sleeping quietly through it all. Francis Allon, quite helpless from the injuries he had received, was [one of the first to be lowered, find his mother followed. At length it came to Mrs Smith's turn. , , , T ' Give me the child,' cried Kenneth, 'and I will hold it until you are safely m. And Mrs Smith resigned it. She found the descent into the boat difficult and perilous enough, even with free arms. Little Mary Jane and her father went next. There now remained on tho fated vessel but the doctor, Captain Hencke, and Kenneth. , . ' Only room for one more, cried those in the boat. 'Jump, captain, jump!' ' Kenneth, Kenneth ! ' cried Mrs Allon. 'No, my lads,' replied the captain, I'll not leave the ship while one remains on board. The choice lies,' he added, turning round, 'between you two.' . ' And by the ashes of my last walking-stick, it's young Allon must go,' answered the doctor promptly. There is no one to care whether Gryffyth of Gryffyths is saved or not, so you and I will stick together a while longer, captain.' 'No, no,' cried Kenneth ; *it is the captain must go. Remember your wife and children, sir.'

' I do,' was the hoarse reply ; ' but I must remember my duty too. I will not go.' And he hurried Kenneth to the side. The little Australia was still sleeping in his arms. ' Throw us the child,' they cried from the boat. But Kenneth— looking shudderingly at the heaving waters and the tiny boat, tossed restlessly about on them— would not. At the risk of his life he accomplished his descent with it tucked under one arm, while he guided himself with the other. 'Remember,' said the captain, as he was going over the side. ' I will,' said Kenneth, comprehending mm ; and with one brief handclasp they parted for ever. Hardly had Kenneth and his charge reached the boat in Bafety when the captain shouted, 'Push off ! for heaven's sake, push off !' The warning was given not a moment too soon. Scarcely had the boat got clear when the ship gave a shiver from stem to stern, and with a gurgling sigh sank beneath the cruel waves, which leaped upon their victim and shook their snowy manes in fierce, vindictive triumph. As soon as it was safe to do so the boat was put back and rowed over the place so lately occupied by the vessel, but now strewn with spars, casks, and loose portions of the rigging^ in hopes of rescuing the captain and doctor.' For some time their search was fruitless ; but suddenly one of the men exclaimed, ' There's the griffin ; if he don't look exactly like a great dog I ' And, sure enough, there he was, swimming with one hand slowly towards them, while the other , clasped a small spar, | and his beloved] stick was held ' dog- wise ' in his mouth ! They rowed towards him and j picked him up, too much exhausted to do more than utter a feeble protest against their overcrowding the boat. It was characteristic of j Mrs Allon that she should rouse herself to protest against taking' him in, though her son owed his present safety to the doctor's generosity ; but ' nobody heeded her. Nothing was seen of the captain ; his presentiment had been too truly verified; this nad indeed been his last voyage.