THE STORY-TELLER.

A CRITICAL POSITION.

AN ADVENTUEE AT SEA,

On our homeward voyage from the East in the good ship Shepherd Mary, we had, for some time, had such unfavorable winds that there seemed little prospect of our making even a decent passage of it. When in India we had boasted much of the splendid sailing qualities of our ves sel, and had set our hearts upon making a glorious run, for many and heavy bets had been made on us. She was indeed a noble vessel, but at times we were be calmed for days together, so that she really had not a fair chance ; at other times we would have gales right in our teeth, and after beating about for many days we found that but little progress had been made. The Cape of Good Hope was reached at last, and when about a hundred miles to the southward we got a fair wind and plenty of it. The weather for some days previously had been very unsettled, the wind flying about to all points of the compass. One evening, however, the sun set red and angrily, and it was evident that a gale from some quarter was imminent. As I have said, it was in our favor, and right glad we were. For two days we bowled along, running right before it under a heavy press of sail. With feelings of exultation v T e saw our gallant ship bound over the foam, for as she tore through each successive w r ave we felt that we were by so much nearer home. The huge, white albatross came wheeling round, and with fierce sw'oop and angry scream contrasted with the familiar little Cape pigeons that fluttered under our stem in vast numbers ; whilst the stormy petrels piped shrilly as they skimmed along the wreaths of white foam left in our ocean track. On every hand, to the horizon, the great sea was ploughed into gigantic, white-ridged furrow's by the strength of the gale, and the whole sur face was covered with a white drift of blinding spray blown from the crests of the surging billows. We had been mak ing an average of fourteen knots an hour, and although the outward bound vessels were wrestling with the breeze under double-reefed topsails, our skipper was not content with setting all his light sails, hut must needs carrying his studding-sails as well. It will be well here to remark that a ship’s studding-sails are set outside the square sails, on booms which extend from the yards, half the length of the yards themselves ; they are only available with fair winds.

As each additional sail was spread, the ship flew through the water with increased speed, and plunged madly through the seas, as though no earthlyppo r er could stop her. The last sail requiring more care and management than the others, I v r ent on the forecastle to assist in setting it. The vessel was rolling slowly but heavily, and the operation was one of no ordinary diffi culty. The skipper remained on the poop, superintending the whole thing, and occasionally favoring us with a savage growl. The sail was about half set, and I was slacking away a rope attached to it and leading through a block at the top mast head, when, the breeze suddenly freshening, the skipper shouted to us to keep all fast, and not set the sail. But he was too late. The wind filling the sail, put such a sudden strain on the rope to which I was holding, that it took me off my feet, and with the roll of the ship I swung out about fifty feet from the ves sel’s side, and there remained suspended from the masthead like a plummet. As I felt the sickening sweep of my rush through the air, I instinctively closed my eyes. For some seconds I dared not open them, while I expected instant de struction, and wondered that I was not already in my death struggles with the water. Moment after moment elapsed. I still lived. I took courage, and looked around, and then I fully realised the hor ror of my situation. Death—inevitable death'—stared me in the face. Were the rope to break—and if was a very old one —I must drop into the sea, and drown be fore the eyes of my comrades. No boat of ours could float in such a sea. If the ship rolled over a few degrees more, I should be so lowered that I should drag in the water. This could be but for an in stant, for the rope, my only hope, would be torn from my grasp. No hands could stand the strain of a body towing through the water at the rate of sixteen knots an hour.

Worst of all, when the vessel rolled back in the opposite direction, I should acquire such a frightful velocity, on ac count of the great length of my rope, that I could not fail to be dashed to pieces against the ship’s side, her mast, or rig ging. In the last case, the rigging formed by no means the least part of the danger. By reason of the enormous strain, it more resembled a system of iron bars than of flexible ropes. Strangely enough, the vessel would not roll over the other way. I was told after wards that I was hanging thus for more than five minutes before she took her back roll. I should have thought that it had been five hours. Every second seemed an eternity ; and yet I began to dread the time when I should swing in. The rope was about the thickness of my little finger. It burned and cut into my bands like a red hot bar. Close beneath my feet the angry waves leaped up and hissed at me as though impatient of their prey. Once —ay, twice—my feet dragged in the raging, seething foam, and as the cold wet spray dashed in my face, I thought the end had come. Would she never roll in 1

I began to get giddy with watching the waves at my feet as they seemed to tear past with frightful rapidity. I speculated as to whether it would be better to let go and drown quietly, or hold on and be smashed against the ship’s side, and then fall back, mutilated and stunned, into the sea. By holding on I should defer the fatal moment, hut the end would be more horrible.

Then I watched the great ship proudly dashing the opposing seas from her sharp bows, sending them crashing back in huge cataracts of flashing foam, baffled apd beaten in their vain attempts to check hpr headlpng career. ' Aloft towered a clpqd pf snowy canvas’, making the strong spars bend like fishing-rods, whilst the wind in the rigging seemed to my excited imagina tion to be chanting a weird requiem. IS ever had I seen that gallant ship look so noble, and the tears filled my eyes as I thought jiow soon J should see her spiling {iway from me, and leaving me to my in effectual struggle with the hungry albatross and more voracious waves.

It is only, I think in times of extreme peril that one can realise the intensity of emotion with which the mind is effected by the thought suggested by the little word “home.” It is simply indesci'ibable, and is therefore only to be known by actual experience. I hope that none of my readers may ever experience it. I felt myself getting more and more giddy, when I observed a giant wave, a very mountain of water, approaching the ship. It rushed under my feet, on, on towards the vessel, and with a crash against her broadside seemed to bury her; but in an instant she shook the water off, and rolled heavily over from the force of the blow.

The same fearful swing through the air, but with double the velocity of my out ward rush. I cleared the ship’s side and rigging, and sped on like a thunderbolt straight for the mast. At that instant I felt many hands clutch me by the feet. I was dragged down to the deck, my head falling at the foot of the foremast. The men had watched my swinging in, and as I swept over their heads, they were just able to seize me by the heels, and thus I was saved. Had I been ten inches higher I should have been out of reach.

THE ASHBURTON HERALD.

[Wednesday, March 24, 1880.



Edmiston Eros. & Gundry. THURSDAY, 25th MARCH. ASHBURTON MUNICIPAL RESERVES. Messrs, edmiston bros. and GUNDRY have been favored with instructions from the Borough Council to LET BY PUBLIC AUCTION, at their rooms, East street, on THURSDAY, 2 sth MARCH, the following very VALUABLE SECTION'S in the Township of Ashburton for a term of 21 years^- T.S. 210, West street, next to Messrs. Jameson Bros’. Store. T.S. 211, corner of Baring Square. These sections are first-class BUSINESS SITES, being close to the railway station, sidings could be easily obtained.



Also, Reserve No. 1689, Fronting Wills street, Cameron street, and the East Town Belt. This Reserve has been divided into ten ots, upon six of which are erected SIX TWO-ROOMED COTTAGES. These lots will be let separately on 14 years’ lease. Sale at 1.30 p.m. EDMISTON BROS. & GUNDRY, 684g-151c Auctioneers. THURSDAY. 25th MARGIE LOTS 56 & 57 TREVORTON. OWNER LEAVING THE PROVINCE. Messrs, edmiston bros. & GUNDRY will sell BY PUBLIC AUCTION, at their rooms on THURSDAY, 25th MARCH. LOTS 56 & 57 TREVORTON. Sale at I*3o p.m. EDMISTON BROS. & GUNDRY, 181 c Auctioneers. TURNIP SEEDS. SALE by the undersigned— Green Top Yellow Aberdeen Purple „ „ Devonshire Grey Stone Mammoth Purple Top White Stone Stubble Grass and Clover Seeds. White Clover Red „ Timothy Alsike Lucerne Gorse Italian Rye Cocksfoot Perennial Trefoil &c., &c., etc. Building Material. 100,000 FEET OF ASSORTED TIMBER White & Black Pine Black Birch T. and G. Flooring Y.D.L. T. and G. Lining Totara Kauri, &c., Ac. COALS AND FIREWOOD IN ANY QUANTITY. EDMISTON BROS. & GUNDRY, East Street. Agents for the SOUTH BRITISH FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY. Capital £1,000,000. Risks taken on all kinds of Property, Growing Crops, Grain in Stack, Thresh ing Machines, EDMISTON BROS. A GUNDRY, East Street.



Edmiston Bros. & Gundry. FARMS FOR SALE in blocks of 50 to 100 ceres. Price from £2 15s. per acre. EDMISTON BROS. & GUNDRY, 106 c East Street. Educational. M ISS GOODGER beg 3to inform the Ladies of Ashburton that she opens a Private School on MONDAY, March 15, at Mr. Jones’, Stationer, Baring square. Terms : English ... ... One Guinea. French ... ... ~ Music ... ... ~ Referees : The Yery Revd. Dean of Christchurch, and J. P. Restell, Esq. 124c-569g Business Notices. REMOVED TO WAKANUI ROAD, Next to Post Office. JOSEPH WARD, FAMILYBUTCHER, BEGS to inform the Publie of Ash burton that he will Open as above on Saturday next, and intends selling for cash at a REDUCTION in PRICES. First-class Beef, 3d. to sd. per lb. First-class Mutton, 2d. to 3d. per lb. Legs, 3M per lb. JOSEPH WARD, 892a* Butcher. REDUCTION IN THE PRICE OF BREAD. EDWARD TAYLOR has reduced the Price of his best Bread to sd. Cash at shop, and if delivered by cart, s|d. EDWARD TAYLOR, Saunders’ Buildings, 119 c ASHBURTON. warn M. NEALAS, BOOT AND SHOEMAKER, AND IMPORTER, IS CLEARING OUT the whole of his Present Stock at REDUCED PRICES, next to Taylor’s Bakery, where he has opened with a Large Stock of Boots of every description. Note the address— M . NEALAS, EAST STREET. ASHBURTON. 21 9 c Conveyances. THE LONGBEACH COACH ! GEORGE WILLCOCKS respectfully acknowledges the liberal support which he has received during the short time his Coach has been running, and soiicits a continuance of the same. The fares by Willcocks’ coach ar® exactly 3d. per mile ordinary fares, and l|d. per mile for Saturday .return. They are as under — Longbeach to Ashburton, ordinary 55., return Bs. Waterton to Ashburton, 3s. Gd. ordi nary, 6s. return. Ashton to Ashburton, 3s. ordinary, ss. return. Wheatstone to Ashburton, 2s. Gd. ordinary, 4s. return. SINGLE FARE RETURN ON SATURDAYS. The coach leaves the Booking Office, Quill’s Commercial Hotel, each day at 3.15 ; Post Office, 3.30. ' 292 g ECOOKSON, Wills Street, runs the , MAIL COACH from Ashburton Railway Station to Green Street, Alford Forest, and Mount Somers, every Tuesday and Friday, returning Wednesday and Saturday at 8 p.m. LABOR MARKET. 1 EG ISTRY OFFICE FOR MASTERS AND SERVANTS, AT THE ‘ EVENING HERALD ” OFFICE. Farmers requiring hands can engage men through the “ Evening Herald ” Registry for 1/- each, prepaid. LABORERS REQUIRING SITUA. TIONS can engage through the “ Herald ” Registry Office by paying 1/-. SERVANTS REQUIRING SITUA TIONS can get them by applying at the “Herald” Registry Office, and paying 1 /-•



ENGAGEMENTS will be POSTED UP every day at 12 noon and 4 p,m. ? by numbers given to the applicants, who will learn the address on enquiring. SPECIAL or URGENT WANTS will bo inserted in the “ Evening Herald ” in the registry column on payment of Six pence additional in advance, for each issue. Further Particulars on application at the EVENING HERALD” REGISTRY OFFICE. SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, EAST ST., ASHBURTON.



Auctioneers. R. JOHN LLOYD CRAWLEY.. JI?JL Stock, Land, Auctioneer, and Commission Agent. Farms, Town and Suburban Sections, for Sale and to Let. J. LLOYD CRAWLEY, AUCTIONEER, Offices, Saunders Buildings, Ashburton. 737 a Business Notices. BREAD!BREAD! Co-operative Bread and Biscuit Factory. Triangle, Wakanuißoad, Ashburton. A. THIELE, 11) EGS to inform the public that he is ' now in a position to SUPPLY BEST BREAD, Gd. per 41b. loaf, unsur passed. Delivered daily to all parts of the Borough, also, Confectionery, &c. i Mixed Biscuits reduced from Is. to Bd. per lb. Wedding Cakes made to Order. 986a-570G TO FARMERS, LIVERY STABLE KEEPERS, SPORTING MEN, AND OTHERS OWNING HORSES. GEORGE KIDD, Moore Street, BEGS to announce the fact that the PRICE for SHOEING hacks and light draught HORSES is now REDUCED to 7s. per set, and that all horses of this description will be specially attended to by himself. Horses liable to cut are shod on a prin ciple of George Kidd’s own invention, which has proved an effectual cure for brushing. All kinds of blacksmith’s work, and repairs to agricultural machinery of any description done on the shortest notice. GEORGE KIDD, 75c-5260 Moore street, Ashburton.



ASHBURTON COPPER, ZINC, IRON. & TIN PLATE MANUFACTORY. JOSEPH HYDE (Late Foreman at the Malvern Works England, and the Canterbury Works, Christchurch, New Zealand) "TA EGS to thank his fi-iends of Ashbur- J 3 ton and surrounding districts for the liberal support accorded him during the past two years, and to intimate that he has opened NEW BUSINESS PRE MISES in Moore street (next Mr. Neate’s chemist shop) where he is prepared to execute every description of Plain and Japanned Tinware, Lamps, Gas Reflec tors, Chimney Tops, Portable Washing Boilers, Batli3, Cheese Vats, etc. LOCKSMITH, BELLHANGER, GAS PI 1 ] TER. Artesian Wells, Beer Engines, Pumps, Ac. Steam Kettles, Hot Closets, made on the premises. Estimates given for Spouting. All work done under J. H.’s personal Superintendence, and guaranteed. J. HYDE, Moore Street Ashburton.



PUBLIC NOTICE. BOOTS! BOOTS! T. CHAMBERS HILE THANKING the public of YY Ashburton and surrour ding dis tricts for past favors, begs to infi rn them that he has received, and to arrive, at his place of business, East-street, a WELL-ASSORTED STOCK LADIES’, GENTLEMEN’S, AND CHIL DREN’S BOOTS AND SHOES Of all descriptions. T. C. also calls special attenlL 1 to the Measure Department, and imites the gentlemen of Ashburton to inspect the superior class of Sewn Boots and Shoes ho is now making. Riding Boots, Shooting Boots, Walking Boots, and Shoes, Cricketing Boots and Shoes, and Running Shoes. WORKMANSHIP UNSURPASSED. A PERFECT FIT GUARANTEED T. CHAMBERS, PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Next to Montgomery’s, East-street. MEDICINE. ASTRINGENT, a certain cure for Diarrhoea in Children or Adults, Is. 6d. and 2s. 6d a Bottle. CAMBRIDGE’S BLACK CUR RANT COUCH ELIXIR, Is. 6d. and 2s 6d. a Bottle. CAMBRIDGE’S ORANGE QUIN INE TONIC WINE, 2s. 6d. and 4s. Od. a Bottle. CAMBRIDGE’S EXTRACT OF BARK, CURES SORE, TENDER, and CRACKED NIPPLES. CAMBRIDGE’S ESSENCE of RENNET, 3 Drops will turn a pint of milk into delicious sweet curds, Is. and 2s. 6d. a Bottle. J. M. CAMBRIDGE, Chemist, MEDICAL HALL. N.B.—Teeth carefully Extracted. 2s. 6d.



Business Notices. TINWALD BOOT AND SHOE SHOP. BOOTS! BOOTS!! mHE Undersigned begs to draw the at- I tention of the public to his well as sorted stock of Ladies’, Gents’, and Chil dren’s Boots, which he has just received, and will dispose of CHEAP. Motto— “ Small profits and quick returns.” All kinds of Boots made and repaired on the the shortest possible notice. 382 g C. HAWKINS, Bootmaker. C. PERCY COX, L AND AND ESTATE AGENT ANT VALUATOR, ASHBURTON. MONEY TO LEND ON APPROVED FREEHOLD SECURITY Agent for Union Insurance COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. 717



ANSTEE’S DINING ROOMS, TANCRED STREET, ASHBURTON. THE Proprietor begs to inform visitors to Ashburton, and the travelling public generally, that the best accommo dation for Boarders in Ashburton is to be had at the above establishment. A LIBERAL TABLE & MODERATE CHARGES. MEALS AT ALL HOURS ... Is. BEDS ... ... ... ... Is. BOARD & LODGING ... 18s. & 20s. PRIYATE REFRESHMENT ROOMS FOR LADIES. PROPRIETOR, J. G. ANSTEE. 985 a PAPERHANGING WAREHOUSE, TANCRED STREET, Ashburton. J. R. CHAPMAN PAINTER, PAPERHANGEP SIGN-WRITER, Etc., Has much pleasure in stating that, Giving to the large increase of Business, he is now Importing from the Manufacturers- PAPER HANGINGS, WHITE LEAD LINSEED OIL, ' WINDOW GLASS, BRUSHWAP £, And all the necessaries of the Trade, and is therefore in a position to compete with any house in Canterbury for price and quality. Every description of work hi tho trade executed under personal superin. tendenee. Competent workmen sent to all parts of the country. ESTIMATES GIVEN. 41a T. Bullock. THE undersigned has the following PROPERTIES to LET with a pur chasing clause, or FOR SALE on liberal terms of payment — ACRES good WHEAT LAND, all ploughed and ready for cross ploughing for wheat ; situated about three miles from the township. ACRES, near the above ; also good WHEAT LAND, ploughed once and ready for cross-ploughing. ACRES, partly improved, near Wins low. This will be sold very cheap, and on very liberal terms. TOWN PROPERTIES. Y7ALUABLE BUSINESS SITE in Bur » nett Street, being T.S. 177, next the “ Mail” office. T>ART of T.S. 139, Peter Street. This will be sold cheap, and on liberal terms. mO Railway Employe's, Mechanics, and Others.—FOß SALE, cheap, Lot 78, situated on East Town Belt. Terms, £5 cash ; balance by monthly or quarterly payments. T. BULLOCK. PAPER, all sizes, just " opened at WEEKS AND DIXON, East street. Ball programme cards in very neat styles, with Pencils and Ribbons, printed at the Herald Office, East street, near Railway Station,



Business Notices. VALUE EXTRAORDINARY. THE Great Bargains OF THE SEASON. GREAT CLEARANCE SALE FOR THIRTY DAYS. ORR AM) CO. HAVING resolved to clear out the Balance of the Bankrupt Stocks purchased by them during the Season (amounting to over ten thousand pounds) regardless of cost so that they may commence the Autumn Season with en tirely a new Stock, ORR AND CO. Will also offer several cheap lots pur chased by them during the late depression. Special Bargains. 90 Pair Twilled Kaiapoi Blankets at 4s. under the usual price. Kaiapoi Flannel at Is. 4d., Is. 6d. to 2s. English Flannel at Is., Is. 2d., Is. 6d., to Is. 9d. Prints at sd. and 6d., werth 9d. Brown Hollands, 7d. to Is. COSTUMES. 56 Costumes at 215., worth 355. 6d., a Baigain. 64 Print Costumes at 7s. 6d. to 12s. 6d., worth 20s. 1700 yards Dress Goods, Alpaccas, at Bd., lOd., and Is. MILLINERY. Trimmed and Untrimmed Hats at half price. 2 Boxes Flowers, sold at 6d. per spray. Ladies’ Underclothing at very much under usual prices. 20 Dozen Stays at 3s. 6d., 45., 4s. 9d., to ss. 6d. CLOTHING. Men’s Suits at 15s. under usual prices. Boys’ Suits at 15s. 6d. to 355. Youth’s Suits at a little over half-price. Braces, Ties, Collars, Socks, and Shirts, unusually cheap. 20 Dozen Harvest Shirts at Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. BOOTS Men’s Boots still sold at Bankrupt prices. Youth’s Boots in great variety. Ladies’ Kid Boots at old prices. 1 Case Children’s Boots at Is. and Is. 6d., a bargain.



TAILORING DEARTMENT. WE HAVE MUCH PLEASURE IN ANNOUNCING TO THE PUBLIC THAT A Tailoring Branch HAS BEEN OPENED IN CON NECTION WITH OUR CLOTHING DEPARTMENT, HAVING MADE ARRANGEMENTS WITPI MESSRS. CRAIGPIEAD AND CO. (LATE OF EDINBURGH AND SAN FRANCISCO), PRACTICAL TAILORS, TO MiKE UP ALL ORDERS EN TRUSTED TO US IN THE VERY BEST STYLE. A PERFECT FIT GUARANTEED. SCOTCH, ENGLISH, and COLONIAL TWEEDS IN GREAT VARIETY. THE CELEBRATED BLARNEY TWEED (CORK) KEPT IN STOCK. FANCY COATINGS IN GREAT VARIETY. SUITS from M 4s. DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT. Dresses, Costumes, and Jackets made up to order, under the superintendence of a first-class Dressmaker. WEDDING & MOURNING ORDERS PUNCTUALLY ATTENDED TO. ORE AND CO. IMPORTERS ASHBURTON AND RAKAIA,



Commercial Printers. JUST ARRIVED— SECOND SHIPMENT OP gTATIONERY, STATIONERY, j DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTORY. Now Opening Up. A CHOICE ASSORTMENT OF Commercial AND Household STATIONERY. THE Largest and Finest Lot ever opened up in Ashburton, AND Equal to ’any exhibited in the Colony. WEEKS & DIION, Printers, Publishers, and COMMERCIAL, LAW, AND General Stationers, Guardian Office, EAST STREET ashbtrton.