Middletown transcript., 1892-08-04
WHAT NEWS ?"
AN INCIDENT IN MID.ocEAN.

AN INCIDENT IN MtU1OCEANs
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, apply
ing the glass to bis eye. he took
long look at the stranger who had
pushed 50 suddenly out Of the early
mist hanging low upon the horizon.
What ever her character, we had
but little chance Of escape. if she had
rifed guns. Many q glance of appre-
hension Was directed toward the
somber hull and pair Of ofsloping smoke
stacks with the twisting smoke trend
ing far astern.
"Show him our colors, sir +! Bend
on the ensign; We may as well be
hung for . sheep as q lamb. If that
fellow is . rebel, the sooner we know
it the better r. exclaimed the captain
somewhat excitedly 70 the mate.
II was close upon six bells (seven
o'clock when the steamer revealed
her nationality.
We fairly yelled as the blood-red
cross of St. George danced up aloft
from the steamers signal-halyards.
She was evidently troop-ship bound
for the Cape; q triae out of her
course, but we did not stop to consid-
or that.
She was too far distant to speak,
but in obedience to q gesture from
the captain, the mate emptied bag
Of gaily colored signals on deck and
the boys were called oft to man the
halyards and lend hand to bend on
the magic flags. Upwards auttered
the party-colored bits Of bunting,
glasses were leveled, and breathless
expectancy marked the sunburnt
features Of the clippers crew; for the
inquiry flying from our mizzenroyal.
mast was, What news of the Ameri-
can War;"
The fash of foam cast up by the
huge propeller greeted our straining
vision, the great steamer glided on.
ward, but no responsive signals glad
dened the anxious hearts Of those
yearning to hear news from home.
With passionate exclamation of
disappointment the captain closed the
joints Of hin long glass with . savage
snap, saying. as be turned away, " He
hasn't our code. "It's no use."
Look at that" suddenly exclaim-
ed the mate, pointing. What is be
going to do"
"Hs is coming about" shouted the
captain, his bronzed features fairly
paling. "Csn it be possible he has
played us q trick, and is the Alabama
Stand BY, all hands, for"
A deep blast of the steam-whistle
rumbled over the FISHING waters,
followed by 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 discerned with the
naked eye. The glass showed these
were letters.
Il have it !" shouted the captain,
leaping excitedly into the rigging.
"Spread the news fore and aft It
says, The American conflict is over
Davis fugitive and what's that 7
Heavens, no-yes- Lincoln iskillsdr
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
ofa regimental band we're waited
across the heaving swells, and many
an eye glistened with emotion as the
well-known strains of Hail Colum.
bia were family heard. The steam.
er slowly fell of, and resumed her
course. while, as if actuated 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 courte-
Gus Englishman. The Stars and |
Stripes were dipped three times, the |
hoarse whistle rang out in return, the |
Meteor flag /" slowly and majsstical-
ly returned the salute, and the greet
ing in mid-ocesn was over.
"The commander of that craft is q
gentleman-every inch Of him r. was
the admiring remark Of the mate as
he glanced astern at the fast-fading |
troop-ship.-Capt. 81. D. Smith, U. |
8. n. in August St. Nicholas.