Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-17
"LINCOLN Is KILLED."
A Striking Incident in Midocean After the
Presidential Assassination.

Striking Incident in MidOcean After the
Presidential Assassination.
From st. Nicholas.
Early one morning the mate was startled BY
the cry from aloft, "Black smoke ahead, sir! A
big steamer standing to the southwark
The captain was called and in a trice bounced
on deck, where, applying the glass to his eye,
he took long look at the stranger who had
pushed SO suddenly out of the early mist hang
ing low upon the horizon.
Whatever her character, we had but little
chance of escape if she had rihed guns. Many
glance Of apprehension was directed toward
the somber hull and pair Of sloping smoke
stacks with the twirling smoke trending far
astern.
''Show him our colors, sir. Bend on the
ensign we may well be hanged for a sheep
as lamb. II that fellow is a rebel the sooner
we know it the betterr' exclaimed the capt ain
somewhat excitedly to the mate.
1t WAS close upon six bells q o'clock when
the steamer revealed her nationality.
We fairly yelled when the blood-red cross OF
st. George danced up aloft from the steamer
signal yards She evidently troopship
bound for the cape, a tritie out Of her course,
but We did not stop to consider that.
She was too far distant to speak. but. in
obedience to gesture from the captain, the
mate emptied bag Of gaily colored signals on
deck. and tho boys we're called aft to man the
halyards and lend hand to bend on the magic
flags. Upward huttered the parti-coored bits
OF bunting, glasses were leveled and breathless
expectancy marked the sunburnt features OF
the clippers crew: for the inquiry flying from
cur Ipizzen-royal-mast was, "What news Of the
American WARP"
The fash of foam cast up by the huge pro-
peller greeted our strained vision, the great
IL
nails gladdened the anxious hearts of those yearn-
ing TO hear news from home.
With n passionate exclamation of disappOint-
ment the captain closed the joints of his long
glass with savage snap. saying. rs he turned
away; He hasn't our code. It's no use."
Look at that suddenly exclaimed the
mate. pointing. ''What is he going to do?"
HE is coming about" shouted the captain,
his bronzed features fairly paling, "Can 1t be
possible he has played us a trick and is the
Alabama? Stand by, all hands, for
A deep blast Of the steam whistle rumbled
over the flashing waters, followed by a number
OF quick toots as the steamer ranged to leeward
then an expanse Of white canvas was lowered
over the side.
Glasses were directed upon that bright patch
amidships. upon which dark lines could be dis
cerned with the naked eye. The glass showed
these were letters.
Il have it!' shouted the captain, leaping ex-
citedly into the rigging. ''Spread the news fore
and aft! 1t says: The American conflict il
over Davis fusitive'-and what's that
Heavens, no-yes- Lincoln IL killed."
Strike the colors half mast, SIR" continued
the captain to the mate in subdued tone. Then
he added: Hoist the signal thank YOU to the
steamer
| At that moment the rich, full tones Of q
regimental band were waited across the heay.
ing swells, and many an eye glistened with
emotion as the well-known strains Of "Hai]
Columbia were family heard The steamer
slowly fell of and resumed her course, while
as If sctuated by one impulse, officers and men
| sprang into the weather rigging, giving three
times three and waving their hats in return for
the kindness Of the courteous Englishmen. The
stars and stripes were dipped three times, the
hoarse whistle rang out IN return, the .'meteo,
| flag" slowly and majestically returned the "a.
Lutte and the greeting in.midocean was over.
The commander Of that craft Il gentle
man-every inch Of him." was the admirine
remark Of the mate - he glanced sstern at TIL
! fast fading troop ship.