Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-03-07
&vas|linatOn Standard
Tic Great Var Syndicate.
Ey FRANK z. STOCKTON.

EJ RANK L. STU L IUH.
Author of "sudder Grange" Amos Kill
b,ich:.' ''IIe Bee alan of Orn." THE
Christmas Wreck Tho Lady or tho
Tiger" Tho Iato Mrs. Null" The
Hund..t,,h Nan" Tho Casting Away
of Mrs. Leck- and Mrs. Aicshinc." The
Dusantes." etc.
ICopyrighted by p r. Collier. of Golfers O.>ce
4 Week. and published by special arrangement
With him through the American Press Assocls
aon- Al ri2h,s reserved
TIE appearance carly on 4 summer
morning of large British cruiser off
the mouth Of the harbor filed those two
commanders with uncomfortable bellig-
erency. That in time of war 4 vessel If
the enemy should be allowed, und.s-
turbcd, to sail up and down before IN
American harbor, while an American
vessel filled with brave American sailors
lay inside like covcl dog, was
thought which goaded the soul OF each
If these commanders. There was a ccr-
tain rivalry between the two ships, and
considering the Insult offered by tho
Haunting red cross in the citing. and the
humiliating restrictions imposed by the
naval Department, each commander
thought only Of his own ship, and not
ut all of the other.
1t was almost at the samc time that
the commanders OF the two ships sepa-
rately cane to the conclusion that the
proper way to protect the fleet behind
the breakwa:er WIS for his vessel to
bo!L,.., steam on. to sea and attack the
British cruiser. If this vessel carried
long range gun, what was 10 hinder her
from suddenly running in closer and
sending few shells into the midst Of
the defenseless merchantmen? In fact,
to go out and fight her was the only way
to protect the lives and property in the
harbor.
1t was true that one Of those beastly
repellers was sneaking about off the
cape, accompanied, probably, by an
under water tongs boat. But as neither
of these had done anything or seemed
likely to do anything, the British cruiser
should be attacked without loss of time.
When the commander of the Lenox
came to this decision, his ship was well
abreast Of Cape Henlopen, and he there
fore proceeded directly out to sea. There
was little fear in his mind that the
English cruiser, which was now bearing
to the southeast, might sail off and get
away from him. The Stockbridge was
detained by the arrival of a dispatch
boat from tho shore with message from
tho naval department. But as this mes
sage related only to the measurements of
certain deck gun, her commander in
tended as soon as an answer could be
sent off, to sail out and give battle to the
British vessel.
Every soul on board the Lenox was
now filed with fiery ardor. The ship
was already in good fighting trim, but
every possible preparation was made for
a contest which should show their coun-
try and the world what American sailors
were made of.
The Lenox had not proceeded more
than a mile out to sea when she per-
ceived Repeller No. coming toward her
from seward, and in a direction which
, ,'lulc'l'e'u 'i'nr ~ ll'eiiueu W run acfoss
straight on, and in short time the two
vessels were quite near each other. Upon
the deck OF the repeller now appeared
tne oirec.or III chalSe' "no' Will
speaking trumpet, hailed the Lenox and
!uesseu neI " :ay w -, rs llo IIao soile-
s ~ oo'u .N ING ooanoei
~ .''e ueno1' llousn nls uunpe.' an-
.~eleu tllas ~ ~an.eu ~ eoaiulIlca-
slons' 1.iu ~ lssu 'lle o'l'eE 'e''sea "
AP oq' ~ n.s way.
Auo LenoA a'ow Pu' On gea.el neau
= sss: a''u - e,.o !" - - any e's1 =
ss .s .';sssl $50 man 1870: :..o .epeaer, sue
sl.u,y 'nc' cascu cue ulstancc oetween
:. -. aau s.s - ;i;. 49,, ~ ai.a'
n.;.s s;,,.,. ~. s,,,,. ,,7, ~ ;at. ~ Ioo1
s,,,r,L. s7o,,, The ransllor md IN rorv
49, ~, ,fto-,,,,ra sha s,,ood =, ~,
s-.-'~ = - - : '--o ~
Ienoxr3ackened 90 much that the repel.
ocr wae nble to como up with her.
When the two vessels were abreast Of
ench other. and at q safe hailing distance
apart, another signal went up from the
ycpeller, and then both vessels almost
ceased to move through the water, al
though the engines Of the Lenox were
working at high speed, with her propel-
Ter blades stirring up q whirlpool at her
stern.
For a minute or two the officers of the
Lenox could not comprehend what had
happened It was first supposed that by
mistake the engines had been slackened,
but almost at the same moment that it
was found that thiswa not the case, the
discovery was maA that the crab ac-
companying the repeller had laid hold of
the stern post Of the Lenox. and with all
tho strength of her powerful engines was
holding her back.
Now burst forth In the Lenox storm
Of frcnzied rage, suchps was never seen
perhaps upon any vessel since vessels
were first built From the commander
70 the stokers every heart was filed with
fury at the insult which was put upon
them Tho commander reared through
ms trumpet that II that internal sea
beetle were not Immediately loosed from
his ship ne would first sink her and then
W. repeiier.
To these remarks the director Of the
synd'cates vessels paid no attention, but
proceeded to state as briefly and forcibly
q possible that the Lenox had been de-
sained IN order that he might have an
opportunity OF speaking with her com-
manoer. ana OF informing HIM that his
scuon IN coming out OF the harbor for
inc purpose OF attacking British vessel,