The "Merrie Maide."

noticed that during the operation of shortening sail , the second mate was generally the first to spring into the rigging , while his subordinate , Mr . Faulkner , seldom exerted himself beyond repeating tho orders of tho captain and chief mate , or occasionally giving' a pull r » i a rope , from the comparative security of the deck . At sunset thc ship , which had but recently been a towering cloud of snowy canvas , was n mazy network of ropes and spars , for sail after sail had been taken

in until nothing was left but close-reefed fore and mam topsails and foresail , and vet she seemed to be rushing and staggering along with fearful velocity . Finding that the glass was still falling , the captain ordered the foresail to be reefed . The second mate as usual led the way aloft , anil in a few seconds was perched astride the very extremity of the yard-arm . The daring fellow seemed to think nothing of tho danger he ran . He appeared to be pulling on a rope with all his mi"ht , and at intervals I could hear his voice above the roar of the wind and

waves , singing as merrily as though he were in the most secure place in the ship . Owing to the violence of the gale the task was evidently one of great difficulty . After awhile the young officer ceased his exertions and shouted to tho mate , who was on deck . I could not hear what was said , but I imagine it had some reference to the position of the yard , as the mate gave an order to pull on the weather forebrace , while he himself went to ease off thc lee one . At this moment a tremendous sea struck the ship , flooding tlie poop and sending a fountain of glittering spray high over our heads . So great was the force of the wave that one of tho

men was literally washed from the wheel , and only saved himself from going overboard by clinging to the spanker-sheet . The other poor fellow somehow got jammed against thc wood-work , and was so much hurt that he was unable to resume work for several days . The ship being thus deprived of her steersmen suddenly broached to and shipped another heavy sea amid-ships , which stove ii * -a portion of the bulwarks as well as one of the ship's boats . The captain had hastened to thc wheel , and , with assistance from the seaman who was not disabled , was trying his utmost to get the vessel before the wind .

Just then she gave another heavy plunge , and above the noise of rushing waters I heard piercing screams from the cabin stairs mid a confused shout . which caused me to glance hastily upwards . I could see nothing of Mr . Gibson , but the men were clinging tenaciously to the yard , and looking over their shoulders in a terrified manner apparently at ,

something in tho water , On going to the bulwarks I was horrified at seeing the poor fellow biiffetting the waves only a few yards fmm where I stood . Hurriedly seizing a rope I tried to fling it to him , but it got entangled , and did not go far enough . Several of the hands now rushed np the poop-lsuldcv , headed by thc mate with a life-buoy , which he hurled with all his might towards the drowning man , who by this time was half the ship ' s length astern .

The Captain now roared out , " One of you come here to the wheel ! " and on being relieved he ran to the break of the poop and shouted to the men to come down from aloft . But they either could not hear him or did not understand , for they continued to gaze las if spell-bound at their struggling shipmate . Seeing which , ho hastily shouted to the mate , " Get them down off the yard , Mr . Davidge . Get them down " and let ' s heave the ship to , and save life if wo can . " He then ran to an empty hencoop , and cutting the lashings which fastened it to the dock

with the assistance of two of the men , he launched it over the lee bulwarks , "Now , lads , " he cried , " overboard with anything that ' ll float ; be smart now , never mind what it is , overboard with it . " Then springing into the wizen rigging he quickly clambered up to the top . On returning to the deck he said " The poor chap has not gone down yet , at all events , mid 1 think he has got bold of the buoy , for I don ' t see it anywhere . " " Is there no hope of saving him , Captain Y" I inquired .

"I ' m afraid not , " said he , " unless the weather moderates very soon . 1 here ' s not a boat in the ship that would live ten minutes in this sea ; and if there was we could make no headway in the teeth of a gale like this . " " He ' s a capital swimmer , n first-class swimmer , " he said , musingly , " and that certainly is all in his favour . If he ecmhl only manage to keep afloat till daylight he might be picked up vet . "

Having now nearly approached the limits of the space allotted lo me , 1 must draw to n conclusion , ' or , as my old friend , Mr . Davidge , would have said " Drop ' ie anchor and coil up ropes . " The " Morrie Maide '' remained hove to until daybreak , when sail was again made ? on her , the gale having apparently exhausted itself during the night . Before the sun had risen above the horizon , tho whole of the watch on deck bad betaken themselves to some part or other of the rigging , and were

eagerly scanning tho sea to windward m the hope of seeing something ot poor Gibson . The enptain himself went up to the main-top with his glasses and searched long and carefully , but came down at last with the tidings that he could see nothing of him . The ship was then put on her course , much to the regret of all cm board ; but she was no longer the happy ship she had been—an odour of sadness and gloom pervaded her fore nnd aft , uiul , notwithstanding the many

agreeable hours I hud passed on board , 1 was far from feeling sorry when 10 days later we were made fust to the quay in Havre docks , ami the voyage was oiulerl . Several months hud elapsed when I received a long letter from the Captain , in which he informed me that his favourite officer , whom we had given upas lost , was then with him nn chief mate . By ihe aid of Koine of the things thrown overboard he had been able tn keep himself nHoiit . mid was picked up the next day by a ship bound into Huston . The Cuprum also informed me that he hud

The "Merrie Maide."

lost his stewardess , she having at last hauled down her Hag ( after a brisk engagement ) to Mr . Davidge , who had taken her in tow , ami they were now safety moored in a snug little boarding-bouse for captains and mates at Liverpool , anil were doing a good business . Little move remains to be said . Brother Conway has retired from the sea , and

although in his 74 th year , he is still hale and hearty . He lives with his daughter , now Mrs . Gibson . Her husband is in command of a line ship , the " Nellie Conway , " he and his father-in-law being the principal owners . His wife used to go to sea with him at first , but that , is all over now . She says she is " wanted on shore to look after the small craft . "

LADY FREEMASONS . " Now , girls , you mustn ' t tell anyone what I've told you . "

A Fugue Upon An Old Theme.

A Fugue upon an Old Theme .

Written after hearing Mr . SASTI . KY sing tlie air "Love in her cyca , " from Ac-is and ( laintea , at the Handel Festival . " Love in her eye . s sits phv / intj , And sheds deliciom death ; Love on her lips is stra ying , And learhlinq in her breast . "—G \\\ 1721 .

Who can resist obeying Love ' s silent strong behest , Which in her eyes sits playing , And robs me of my rest . Who can withstand the glances

That shoot from out her eyes ? The smile on her lips entrances , And makes me a willing prize . Ah ! from her eyes Micro ' s flying A sweet and fatal dart ;

Delicious 'tis in d ying Thus , pierced to thc heart . In heaven angelic voices

Will welcome me at death ; But here my soul rejoices In her sweet warbling breath . W . FEED . V 1 CRN 0 N . Kelso .

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