New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-12-26

Duke:
CHAPTER XLv.-"THE LIVELY POLLY"
The Vulcan was blowing the sea brave!y.
IL spite Ok the immense thickness OF her
iron sides, she was moving a. a speed Of az
least Two knots an hour. Il IS scarcely
necessary TO explain 10 The nautical reader
that she could have attained greater rate
OF speed had not the lords Of admiralty is
sued Their Instructions regulating the con
sumption Of coal.
And so, Mr.. Simple Simon," said our
first lieutenant Ia fellow OF Trinity, by the
way, our junior midshipmar Will jlil Us al
Portsmouth from Cambridge
yes, SIR | replied. Mr.. Muttoahead
has done well. You will Fave noticed, from
reading the newspapers, that he joins Us as
senior wrsngler, l suppose, sir, ne will re
sumo his ordinary duties wheL Re reports
himself"
Quite SO. He will personally supe,in-
tend the weighing ou- OF the rations, and
will occasionally, in his official capacity,
test the quality Of the grog.'
Oar conversation was interrupted at this
poin. by cry from sailor On the lookout.
The second lieutenant hurried or 70 the
quarter deck, and. after Tie customary sa-
Lutte. addressed himself 20 lis senior.
Sir said he, 81. is my duty 70 inform
Won that black care often sits al the back
Va luz ASAlIs.AdiI duA ~L4akf tLtiC.DIS. lfJSt
eqUitem Se14t rtrd ezra nsv Lave "a wider
meaning than the glorious Old Roman was
inclined 20 give T."
always classical, Sobersides," remarked
the frs. Lieutenant, with d smile; "Dut |
hope YOU bring no bad news. Remember
Jai9',t'N iiuGHa H0ce'N'
Well said!' exclaimed Sobersides who
! must admit was something OF syco-
phantl. But l wish merely 20 report 20
you thst the lookout, through lis telescope,
has made out boat in tie otiin-. She ap-
pears 10 be steering Tor us. How shall we
get on Of her way
How lar of is she!"
"Aoont fifteen miles
I'VE mag yet have time 70 save ourselves,
exclaimed the first lieutenant cal!antly.
Ny. Simple Simon, will YOU be good
enough 20 get the Book Of Signals''
OF course l complied with the request;
and for the next two hours the FIRST
lieutenant, Sohersides and mvset were
engaged in perusing tie mysterious vol
ume.
In lie meantime, the boat discovered by
the look oIt continued on her reckless course.
She seemed TO be deserted pleasure yacht,
OF about two tons, ard from The fact tina,
she Carried the name of Lively Polly
painted in white letters on her bow, l took
Il that she hailed from the port OF Marcate.
BY degrees, she cha1Ie nearer and nearer,
uat.l she Was within ta.t mile OF us.
Then there was cry Of astonishusnt from
the lips Of the younger OF orr crew. she
WAS carrying sall-an article OF nautical
perambulation scarcely known 70 tie rising
generation.
''RGrG Gris IN tcfris Tjgr0Jae Simt.Amu
cygao,' heard one Of our second class boys
observe 20 a companion.
'InPt0.' replied the other, su!.in1 the ac-
ton 70 the word.
"Really, Mr.. Simple Simon" So ] our first
lieutenant, II 10 no. Ike 20 disturb the cap.
tain in the midst OF his experiments, bp:
must trouble Jou 20 request his presence on
deck
Aye, aye, sir, replied. and descended
below aud Knocked a. he Goor Of he iabor
atory Of my commanding ofi,er.
CHATTER XLVI-TnE CAPTAIN OF TIE
VULCAN.
Come in and / entered.
The captain OF the Vulcan was .liG, IL
te.leetual looking stuGen:. He wore long
hair, and his eyes were shielded from he
glare OF a small ire lin which several
crucitles Here slow.ng) by par OF azure
coloreG spectac!es. His laboratory, c., 20
use the nautical term, cabin was fr--
p!shed with library OF dusty volumes. a
stuffed alligator, and few skeletons. He
was staining near camera, and hold IL
his hand penny whistle,
This interruption is very mt! Cpr0pGS,'
he exclaimed, as l entered. what IS ire
matter, Mr.. Simple Simon =
We are in danger Of collision, si:,"
replied, respectfully.
We ara always IN danger OF collision
he murmrred, petclan;ly. Really. l mast
leave tie matter in the hands Of The hrs.
lieutenant. l have every confidence N
him.
l bowed, ard was abont 70 leave the
r.,l,a IL ,1-r,
seized Ee 70 pat a question 20 ny con-
mauiing officer.
Your pardon. Sir" SAID, with some
hesitation, but tie experiment upon which
you are engaged seems - interest you
deeply. Is it indscree. TO ask you what
you are doing2'
Not at al ~ he cried. with The e1thu-
with the aid OF photography, 10 Tx and de-
pct a ray of sound And LIE blew the
penny whistle, and concealed his head IN
the curtains of the camera.
On my return to the deck, found that
the Lively Polly was within half mile of
the Vulcan. We consulted the signal book
for the last time, and prepared TO meet our
fate like officers, gentlemen and scholars.
the crew of the Vulcan stood still, and
closed their eyes, and then came shock.
The Lively Polly's bowsplit had made a
hole in the side of the Vulcan, ard all was
lost.
AT this moment the captain appeared.
He was calm and resolute. He spoke 70 the
first lieutentant:
what is the size of tie Leak"
Two inches by three, sir"
AT what tate is the water coming in
About a pint an hour, s!I.
Then get 70 the boats, and save your
selves"
Within five hours OF the collision every
man belonging to the Vulcan had lei. that
hapless ship TO her melancholy fate. And
such is life on the waves,