WASHINGTON HEIGHTS.

FREE LIBRARY

DR. HOWELL'S FAMILY.

CHAPTER I.

THE WRECK OF THE

STELLA.

"Down came the storm, and smote amain

The vessel in its strength;

She shuddered and plunged like a frighted steed,

Then leaped her cable's length."

"WHAT do you make of that light, captain?" "Hamilton Light, entrance to Carrhaven; and would tc God we were safely anchored there."

"Hadn't we better hoist our signals of distress, and trust to the chance of drifting within reach of assistance?"

"I'm afraid 'tis our only chance. The rudder is so choked with ice as to be useless, and ice is making so rapidly on the rigging and decks that our poor bark must sink beneath the weight before many hours. Hilton, order a kettle of hot coffee to be served among the men. How many are still able to work?"

"Only four; Spencer, Ridley, Doherty, and Quinn were so badly frozen last night that they are disabled."

"Poor fellows! It might have been better for us all if we had been swept overboard by the breaker that swallowed our Greek boy. But, Hilton, don't let the ne

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know that my hope is ebbing. Keep up their spirits, and tell them we are almost within sight of any craft that may be anchored in Carrhaven roads. I will remain on the lookout."

The good bark Stella, from Smyrna, laden with fruit, and commanded by Captain Ashmead, was bound for New York; and only twenty-four hours before this memorable morning of the 21st of December, 185-, her officers had counted, with as much assurance as sailors can ever feel, on a safe anchorage in New York harbor before night. The wind was then south, and a drenching rain had saturated every thread of canvas: before midday on the 20th the wind had veered to the north-west, and a blinding storm of snow had set in. So suddenly had the weather changed, and so drenched were the sails, that, despite the utmost despatch in clewing, reefing, and taking in canvas to make the vessel snug, the ice accumulated so fast, and the gale increased so rapidly, that the bark was driven to the north-east under a heavy press of frozen canvas.

Then, in less than twelve hours after the storm burst upon them, the mercury had sunk to eight degrees below zero, and the rudder and helm had become so clogged with ice that they were of no service in working the bark. A few more hours of drifting and beating, with ice accumulating on the decks, and then with a sudden thump, which snapped the mainmast and lifted every man from his feet, the poor Stella struck a sand-bar not one half mile from shore. But between this shore and the disabled bark, the hungry sea was breaking in such furious waves that assistance from the land was impossible.

It was twenty-four hours after the rising of the gale before the Stella struck; and now night was approaching; the breakers were sweeping the decks, the vessel striking on the head sands with sufficient force, at each concussion,