Did you ever go far out into the great ocean? how beautiful it is to be out at
sea when the sea is smooth and still!
let a storm approach, and the scene is changed. the heavy, black clouds
appear in the distance and throw a deep, deathlike shade over the world of
waters. the captain and sailors soon see in the clouds the signs of evil. all
hands are then set to work to take in sail.
the hoarse notes of the captain, speaking through his trumpet, are echoed
from lip to lip among the rigging. happy will it be, if all is made snug before the
gale strikes the vessel.
at last, the gale comes like a vast moving mountain of air. it strikes the ship.
the vessel heaves and groans under the dreadful weight and struggles to
escape through the foaming waters. if she is far out at sea, she will be likely
to ride out the storm in safety. but if the wind is driving her upon the shore, the
poor sailors will hardly escape being dashed upon the rocks and drowned.
once there was a ship in a storm. some of her masts were already broken,
and her sails lost. while the wind was raging, and the billows were dashing
against her, the cry was heard, "a man has fallen overboard! "
the boat was lowered quickly, and she was soon seen bounding on her way
over the mountain waves. at one moment, the boat seemed lifted to the skies,
and the next, it sank down and appeared to be lost beneath the waves!
finally, the man was found. he had almost drowned; but he was taken on
board, and now they made for the ship. but the ship rolled so dreadfully that it
seemed certain the boat wouldn't make it to her. and now, what should they
do?
the captain told one of the men to go aloft and throw down a rope. this was
tied fast to the boat, and when the sea was somewhat calm, the boat was
hoisted and landed on the ship with a dreadful crash. it was a desperate way
of getting on board, but fortunately no lives were lost
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