A report like that of a cannon interrupted his exclamation and something resembling a white cloud was seen drifting before the wind from the head of the ship, till it was driven into the gloom far to leeward. ""Tis the jib, blown from the boltropes," said the com- 5 mander of the frigate. "This is no time to spread light duck, but the mainsail may stand it yet." "The sail would laugh at a tornado," returned the lieutenant, "but the mast springs like a piece of steel." "Silence, all!" cried the pilot. "Now, gentlemen, we 10 shall know our fate. Let her luff-luff you can.' 15 This warning effectually closed all discourse; and the hardy mariners, knowing that they had done all in the power of man to insure their safety, stood in breathless anxiety awaiting the result. The pilot silently proceeded 1 to the wheel, and with his own hands he undertook the steerage of the ship. Occasionally the fluttering of the sails would be heard, and when the looks of the startled seamen were turned to the wheel they beheld the stranger grasping the spokes, with his quick eye glancing from the 20 water to the canvas. At length the ship reached a point where she appeared to be rushing directly into the jaws of destruction, when suddenly her course was changed and her head receded rapidly from the wind. At the same instant the voice of the pilot was heard shouting: "Square away the yards! In mainsail!" 25 A general burst from the crew echoed, "Square away the yards!" and quick as thought the frigate was seen gliding along the channel before the wind. The eye had hardly time to dwell on the foam, which seemed like clouds 30 driving in the heavens, and directly the gallant vessel issued from her perils and rose and fell on the heavy sea. The seamen were yet drawing long breaths and gazing about them like men recovering from a trance, when Griffith approached the man who had so successfully conducted them through their perils. The lieutenant grasped the 5 hand of the other as he said: ΙΟ "You have this night proved yourself a faithful pilot and such a seaman as the world cannot equal." The pressure of the hand was warmly returned by the unknown mariner, who replied: "I am no stranger to the seas, and I may yet find my grave in them. But you, too, have deceived me; you have acted nobly, young man." Saying this, he walked away toward the commander. Griffith gazed after him a moment in surprise; but as 15 his duty required his attention, other thoughts soon engaged his mind. 1. An adventure on the sea has a thrill lacking in an adventure on land. Why? 2. What is the situation of the ship when the unknown pilot takes command? What does he do that wins the confidence of the sailors? Was Griffith justified in getting angry at the changed command? 3. James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) is best known by his Leatherstocking Tales stories of encounters with the Indians. But in The Pilot Cooper displays the knowledge of the sea which he got in the navy, and tells a good story besides. The book was written to prove that the author could write a sea story more accurate than Scott's The Pirate. The Mr. Gray is really Paul Jones of historic fame. WANDERLUST BY GERALD GOULD BEYOND the East the sunrise, beyond the West the sea, And East and West the wanderlust that will not let me be; It works in me like madness, dear, to bid me say good-by! For the seas call and the stars call, and oh, the call of the 5 sky! I know not where the white road runs, nor what the blue hills are, But man can have the sun for friend, and for his guide a star; And there's no end of voyaging when once the voice is heard, For the river calls and the road calls, and oh, the call of a bird! IC Yonder the long horizon lies, and there by night and day The old ships draw to home again, the young ships sail 15 away; And come I may, but go I must, and if men ask you why, You may put the blame on the stars and the sun and the white road and the sky! |