These and similar phenomena are
frequently observed in this part of
the ocean. Often a ship reports that
she has experienced a violent shock
similar to that which is felt when a j
rock is struck. Sometimes a great
rumbling i? heard, like that of a heavy
chain running through the hawse
pipes, and the vessel quivers like a
leaf in the wind. At another time, in
smooth water, a vessel lias been
known to heel over suddenly, as if she
had run on a sand bank.
Before tins part of the ocean was as ;
thoroughly sounded and surveyed us it
is now these phenomena were attrib
uted to the presence of unmarked sand
banks and rocky shoals, and the old
charts were marked accordingly. But
it must have astonished the mariner
somewhat to find that he got no sound
ings with his deep sea lead immediate
ly after experiencing oue of these ■
shocks.
it is now generally believed that sub
marine earthquakes are the true cause
of these convulsions.—Youth's Com
pnnlou.
A FIRE HOUSE ROMANCE,
The Old Horse Did His Part, but the
Old Chief Weakened.
Not long ago u tire horse was brought
In from the farm, a horse thirty-six
years old. that had not had a harness
on his back for eleven years. This
horse used to pull the chief's wagon.
He had the faculty of getting under
the shafts quicker than ever any horse
did that stood on four feet. He never
made a mistake, never a false move.
