The morning call., 1892-08-28
WHAT NEWS HAVE your"
An Inc dent In Mfdacean just After the
Close of the War

tsose OF the war
Captain II. u. Smith. L. S. v, in 81. Nicholas
Early one morning the mate was startled
by the cry from aloft. "Blaek smoke ahead
sirl A big steamer standing to the south
ward"
The captain was called, aud in a trice
bounced on deck, where, applying the glass
to his eye. be took long look at the
stranger who mad pushed so suddenly out
Of the early mist hanging low upon the
horizon.
Whatever her character, we had but little
chance of escape II she had riiied guns
Many a glance of apprehension was di-
rected toward the somber hull and pair Of
slopiug smokestacks, with the twisting
smoke treudiug far astern.
SHOW him our coIors, sirl Bend on the
ensign; we may as we'll be hung for a sheen
as lamb. If that fellow is rebel the
sooner we know IL the betterw exclaimed
the captain somewhat excitedly to the mate
IL was close upon six bells q o'clock
when the steamer revealed her nationality
We fairly yelled as the blood-red cross of
st. George danced up aloft from the steam
eT's signal halyards. She was evidently a
troop-Ship bound for the Cane. trile out
OF her course, but we did not stop to con-
slider that.
She was too far distant TO speak, but in
obedience to gesture from the captain
the mate emptied a bag of gayly cOlored
signals on deck, and the bows were called
aft to man the halyards and lend hand TO
bend on the magic flags. Upward futtered
the paTtl-cOlored bits of bunting, glasses
were leyeled and breathless expectancy
mar ked the sunburnt features of the clip
per's crew; Tor the inquiry flying from our
miZzen-royalmost was: What news of the
American warp
The flash of foam cast up by tie huge
propeller greeted our stTaining vision, the
great steamer glided onward, but no re-
sponsve signals gladdened the anxious
home.
With passionate exclamation of disap-
pointment the captain closed the joints OF
his long glass with a savage snap, saying as
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 ?"
Hes coming about" shouted he captain,
his bronzfd features fairly paling. Can
II De possible he has played us a trick,
and IS the Alabama? Stand by, all hands,
for"
A deep blast oi the steam whistle rumbIed
over the flashing water, followed by num-
per OF quick tools, as the steamer ranged to
leewa!d; 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
glasses showed these were letters.
Il have IT," shouted the captain, leaping
eXcltedly into the rigging. "Spread the
news fore and aft! Ii says. The American
conflict is over! Davis fugitive'-and
what's that? Heavens, no-yes-Lincoln
is kiledv
Strike the colors half-mast, SIR" con-
timed the captain TO the mate in subdued
tone. Then, he added, Hoist the signal,
Thank you,' 10 the steamer"
AT that moment the rich, full tones Of a
regimental band were waited across the
beaving swells, and many an eye glistened
with emotion as the wel-known strains of
''Hail Columbia" were family heard. The
steamer slowly fell off and resumed her
course, while, as il aetuated by on e impulse,
officers and men spraDg into the weather.
rigging, giving three times three and wav-
ing their hats in return for the kindness Of
the courteous Englshmen. The stars and
stripes were dipped three times, the hoarse
whistle rang out in return, the Meteor
flag" slowly and majesticaily returned the
salute, and the greeting In midocean was
over.
1.-The commander of that craft is a gentle
man-every Inch OF him ~ was the admiring
remark OF The mate as he glanced astern at
the fast-fadlng troopship.