LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 926, 13 June 1877, Page 3

LITERATURE.

THE BURNING SHIP. {Concluded.)

Meanwhile the flames had broken out of the after hatch, and communicating at once to the lower rigging, spread almost instantly to the huge lower sails, hissing, flashing, and roaring as they went, until the whole ship seemed a mass of fire, and nothing was left untouched but the narrow quarter-deck, on which the despairing crew had gathered. They had succeeded in rescuing one boat from the fire, and as it was lowered over the side, the eager crew loaded it down to the gunwale. Dashing alongside, Preston shouted to the remaining wretches to jump for their lives and he would pick them up. A shout of joy escaped the poor fellows as they availed themselves of the unexpected aid, and in less than two minutes the deck of the burning ship was deserted.

John Preston was on the point of leading the way to his gallant ship, whose white sails gleamed in the starlight, when a cry was heard which rang through the sailor's heart like the thrust of a knife.

It was the piercing scream of a woman —a helpless girl left to her fate on board the doomed ship, whose presence had been uncared for and forgotten in the excitement and confusion which attended the abandonment of the ship.

With a muttend curse on the cowardice of the crew, John Preston pulled back to a position close under the stern of the fiery ship. A draft of air whirled the dense smoke aside, revealing for a moment the quarter-deck, but no signs of the woman was visible. Overcome by excess of fright, together with the smoke and heat, no doubt the poor girl had fainted, Ever prompt and ready in the hour of danger, Preston grasped at the end of a rope trailing over the quarter, and, bidding his crew to await his return, the athle'ic seaman quickly mounted to the deck amid the fire and smoke, which burst forth with renewed vigour. Enveloping his mouth in the folds of his coat, John rapidly made the circuit of the quarter-deck, and to his in tense satisfaction, discovered the girl insensible close to the cabin door. It was none too soon. The flames were within a few feet of the unconscious girl, and raising her in his strong arms, the dauntless sailor rushed through the intervening barriers of smoke and fire, cleared the taffrail at a bound, and the next instant was drawn into the boat with his unconscious burden, amid the cheers of the men who had beheld the daring deed. With long, steady strokes the seamen urged the boats through the water, and the deserted ship left to her fate, was soon reduced to a charred and shapeless mass. It proved to be a Spanish ship, and the lady passenger whom John Preston had rescued from a terrible death had taken passage at Manila with the intention of returning to Spain. That was all the information which could be gleaned concerning her, save that her name was Marie Ufonso. She was consigned to the cabin, restoratives applied, and John had the satisfaction of seeing her open her large black eyes, and in silence listen to the outpourings of her gratitude. Although pale and trembling she was surpassingly handsome ; so much so that the sailor could have remained there all night gazing upon her ; but he was doomed to leave the presence of beauty for duties which demanded both promptitude and courage. Without the slightest ceremony, the mate entered the cabin, and in a low voice requested his superior to step on deck. ' They have scented us like a flock of vultures. The burning ship has brought them down upon us, and we will have our hands full, I reckon,' ' What do you mean V exclaimed the excited captain, as he hurriedly left the cabin.

'Look there, sir, and judge for your self.'

The moon, which had risen above the horizon, shone with a brilliancy known only to the tropics. The ship lay almost motioniess, rising and falling with the almost imperceptible heave of the long, regular swell. Like a thin vail of gauze the vapour hung •about the island, emerging from which were three long boats filled with men, and heading direct for the Amazon.

' Pirates !' gasped the captain, as he glanced aloft. But, alas, the huge folds of canvas hung motionless from the yards, and the shi,"> was without motion.

' I kept an eye to windward for this, Captain Preston, and during your absence took the precaution to load up the howitzers there forward, and the small arms are ready for instant use. With the extra hands we have on board we can make a good light of it, and show John Chinaman that it is not so easy after all to board and capture a Yan kee clipper.' ' You have saved the ship and all on board by your prudence, Martin, which fact shall be made known to the owners, if we live. Now summon all hands, and arm them, while 1 whisper a word in the ear of the poor, trembling lady below.' In silence, but with determination, the crew of the Amazon ranged themselves along the bulwarks supported by the men who had been rescued from the Spanish ship. The howitzers with which the ship had been providentially pi'ovided, were trained upon the boats, who with stealthy strokes swiftly neared the ship, A sudden puff of air filled the light sails causing the sharp vessel to glide ahead, and increasing the distance between her and the foe. But it was only momentary, the sails again collapsed, and soon the clank of the oars were heaid by the sailors who coolly sighted along the muskets which they held. The mate had assumed charge of the howitzer, which he had adjusted to his liking, and awaited with impatience for the signal from his supcior, who was on the poop, in the shadow cast by the miz-zen-mast.

A succession of whirling catspaws ruffled the surface of bhe ocean, followed by a light but increasing breeze, gave token that the calm was at an end, but the wind had come too late to avoid an encounter with the pirates, who, sure of the prey before them, cast aside all pretensions to concealment, and with a savage yell the three boats dashed upon the huge East Indiaman. A jet of vivid flame, followed by a thundering report, echoed close upon the exultant cry of the Chinamen, and as the storm of iron tore through their midst, yells of anguish and despair arose on the still night air.

The boats were thrown into confusion, and the rending of planks, mingled with the bubbling cries of drowning men were heard,

when a second howitzer boomed forth its warning.

But the survivors cheered on by the frantic cries of their leaders, again bent to their oars, ranging alongside mid the withering fire of small arms in the hands of the sailors.

Swarming into the fore aud main channels, the Chinamen moved on by desperation, and a burning desire for vengeance, strove to make good their footing on the deck of the ship ; but they were met by the Europeans, who disputed at the point of their cutlasses the advancement of the pirates Both John Hreston and his bluff mate made their presence manifest among the dark cloud of enemies who encumbered the forward portion of the ship, and the Chinamen shrank from encountering them.

A few solid shot had been pitched over the side into the boats, and as they crashed through the frail timbers a cry of dismay burst from the natives. Then it was that Preston and his able ally pressed the foe with renewed vigor. Like so many phantoms the Chinamen glided over the rail, disappeared, and the Amazon beneath the influence of a moderate breeze of wind soon left the struggling wretches far astern

The danger was over, the last enemy had disappeared in the bubbling wake, and once more John Preston sought the pres nee of the Senorita Marie Ufonso to gladden her ears with the joyful tidings that all peril was over.

Days glided by, succeeding one another in rapid succession, but the gallant sailor no longer expressed a wish to make a rapid passage. He dreaded the day when the ship would anohor off Shanghai, as it would rob him of the presence of his passenger whom had learned to love.

He had discovered that she was an orphan like himself, her father having died a short time before, leaving hej- sole heiress to his large sugar estates in Manila, and it was for the purpose of returning to her father's relatives that the lady had taken passage on the ill-fated ship. But Cupid's power proved too strong and subtle for her heart, and her love beamed forth from her glorious eyes. With artless simplicity the Spanish maiden confessed her love to the bashful sailor who clasped her in his strong, manly arms. The ceremony was performed at once with Mr Martiu as one of the witnesses, and the old sailor could not be prevented from saluting the bride with a kiss which resounded throughout the chapel Accompanied by his bride, John Preston made the homeward-bound passage in the Amazon, and then, preparatory to leaving for Manila to look after the interests of his wife's property, he with withdrew from the employ. But he did not forget his promise to the brave old Martiu, whose heart was made glad by being raised to the command of the ship he had so well defended.