Central High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

Page 27 text:

A STOWAWAY All was excitement in South Hampton when it was learned that the largest steamer in the world would take on its human cargo there. People began gathering early to book the best cabins on the boat. Visitors flocked from far and near just to get a glimpse of the gigantic vessel. On the eve of the Titanic’s departure over twenty-three hundred, passengers and crew, were registered to sail the next morning. Among the lookers-on was a slender, curly-haired boy. He wore a faded blue sailor’s blouse, and his tattered trousers were held bv a tarred rope wound about his waist. He was a typical English fisher boy. who had lived by the labors of his own hands most of his life. Larry, for that was his name, leaned against a dock post with a sigh, lie was longing to go to the big. beautiful States. To see America was the dream of his life. As he stood there watching the twilight settle about the big sea monster, an idea struck him. “Why not hide under the tarpaulin in one of the big life boats?” he thought. “That’s the way brother Jean went across years ago,” he muttered to himself. I guess I can, t w . Slipping quietly along the beach he threw himself into the sea and swam out to where the big vessel was moored. A few moments of searching brought him to the anchor cable, much to his relief, for he was almost exhausted from the long swim. As light and as nimble as a monkey, Larry swung himself tip the cable and bounded softly on deck. He went up four flights of steps to the upper fleck, and hid behind a large pile of ropes until he had an opportunity to gain his place of refuge. About midnight lie crept cautiously up to one of the davits and soon was under the tarpaulin of one of the life boats. He was asleep in five minutes, and didn’t awake until the bustling noise of the crew began as the ship got under way. Larry found several kegs of water and also sea-biscuits stored in a locker in the boat, ami on this he made his meal. Time passed heavily on, with nothing to do but to dream of his future home. Three days passed, and one night he was awakened from a troubled sleep by a slight jolt, and a series of vibrations, which made cold shivers run up and down his back. While he was still wondering what the trouble was. lie heard the rushing of feet and a tumult of voices, as the people ran back and forth on the deck. Larry heard the officers shouting orders at the top of their voices and the hurried. “Aye! Aye! Sir! of the crew, as they rushed about filling the orders. Lower the life boats!” was the terrifying command that floated up to Larry’s ears. Ready with number fourteen.” was the next order. “Clear away the tackling!” Larry felt his heart sinking when he heard this order given, and abandoned all hope of being saved. 'I he boat rattled down, a number of women crowded in. In the rush Larry was overlooked, and he again had hopes of a future. the boat was about to be launched, a beautiful voting girl on deck shrieked and fainted, for she saw her mother separated from her. There were no more life boats, and there was no room for her in this last one. Larry was moved with compassion, and before he realized what he was doing, he had bounded out and with the help of a sailor pitched the girl over 25

Page 26 text:

10 4- YANCEY LITERARY SOCIETY

Page 28 text:

the rail into the boat below, for it had not stopped on its descent into the water. Larry stood there trembling, thinking of what he had done, when he suddenly became conscious of something in his hand. He looked quickly and to fiis astonishment he found a tiny handkerchief. He looked at it for a moment and a big tear filled his eye and rolled down his cheek, splashing on his hand. Aw! Look at me!” he exclaimed, and hastily thrust the bit of linen into his bosom. Several loud explosions rent the air, mingled with the screaming and wailing of those on board. The boilers have exploded,” he overheard the captain on the bridge say. Then the ship plunged forward, and then to the side. Looking around he saw a life belt hanging on a rack. Tying himself in this he prepared for his watery grave. Terrifying cries arose from the steerage where a thousand immigrants were huddled'together. 'Hu icy water had mercy on none. Larry looked to the starboard, and there off in the gloom he sighted an immense mountain of ice. gleaming vividly in the light of the distress signal rockets. This imposing picture vanished, as the ship settled deeper and deeper, more cries of distress floated out on the chilly morning air. The next moment the ship plunged forward. An immense wave broke over it. tearing Larrv away from the guard railing and carrying him far out into the iev water. 'I he life preserver buoyed him up. As he floated about, he saw the ill-fated Titanic plunge forward again. This time she broke amidship. The bow swung under and out of sight, leaving the stern standing alone. In another moment and with a great rush of water, that too, sank from view, carrying with it over sixteen hundred souls. Larry felt himself swung around and around in the great whirling eddy caused by the sinking ship. Once his stinging fingers came in contact with a box. ith a vice-like grip he clutched it, endeavoring to gain control of himself. Around and around they went. Gradually they slackened and slowly rose to the surface, and in a minute lie was seated on the top of a large wine case, which had been washed out of the ship by the rush of the waves. He heard a feeble shout and looking out into the great darkness he saw a man battling with the waves. It was a great risk to put two people on the box, but Larry dared it in the presence of death. So he helped him on and with the aid of a broken spar they pushed farther away. In the freezing water Larry soon became numb and would have frozen bad not the man beat him and rubbed him. Just how many hours he and his companion remained on the wine case lie could not tell, for he had lost consciousness and when he came to himself, he was wrapped in hot blankets. He opened his eyes slightly and gave a start. There bending over him were two deep blue eyes gazing straight into bis. He looked again. It was the same pair of eves which had looked into his on that tragic night, so long ago( ?) — 0 when!—how long ago was it?” he asked himself. He could not remember just when it happened, but he did remember the face of the girl to whom he had given his place in the life boat. She read his thoughts and smiling whispered to him to rest. He did so. clasping her hands in his. —Russell Moore. ’15. 2fi