Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-08-11
What News?'
AN INCIDENT IN MID-oCEAS.

Early one morning the mate was startled
by the cry from aloft, BLACK smoke ahead
sir big steamer standing To the south
ward"
The captain was called. and in a trice
bounced on deck, where, applying the glass
TO MS eye, he took long look at the
stranger who had 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 rified
guns. Many glance of apprehension was
directed toward the somber hull and pair
OF sloping smoke stacks with the twisting
smoke trendng far astern.
SHOW him our colors, sir Bend on the
ensign; we may as well be hung for sheep
as lamb. IL that fellow is rebel, the
sooner we know it the betterl" exclaimed
the captain somewhat excitedly to the
mate.
1t 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 sloft from the
steamers signal-halyards. She was evL
IDENTIFY troop ship bound for the Cape, a
| trihe 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 emptlcd bag of gaily colored
| signals on deck and the bows were called
ait TO man the halyards and lend hand
to beud on the magic flags Upward nut-
tered the pany-colored bits Of bunting
glasses were leveled, and breathless ex-
pectancy marked tie sunburnt features OF
The clippers crew; for the inquiry living
from our mizzenroyalmast was, What
news of the American War"
lhe flash Of foam cast up by the huge
propeller greeted our straining vision, the
great steamer glided onward, but no re-
sponsive signals gladdeued the anxious
hearts of those ycarning to hear news
from home.
with passiona'e exclamation of disap
pointment the captain closed the joints Of
his long glass with savage snap saving.
as ne 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?
"iie is coming about. shouted the cap
tain, his brouzcd features fairly palin.,
Can it be possible he has PLAYED Us a
trick, and is the Alabama? Stand by, all
hands. for"
4 deep blast Of the steam whistle rum
hied over the flashing waters, followed by
number Of quick toots as the steamer
ranged To lee~ard; then an clp panse 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 eve.
The glass showed these were letters
II have II, shouted the captain, leap
Ing cNcItedly into the rigging Spread
the news fore and aft 1t SAYS, The
American conflict is over, Davis a fugi-
tive'-and what's that: Heavens, no-yes
-'LiHc"!H is kHisir r.
STRIKE the colors h4If-mast. sir" con.
tinued the captain to the mate. in sub
dued tone. Then he added, Hoist the
signal, Thank YOU to the steamer"
At that moment the rich full tones Of a
reglmcn'al band were waited across the
hcavlng swvi!s. and many an eve gli-tened
with emotion as the well known strains Of
HAL Columbia" were family heard. The
steamer slowly fell OF, and resumed her
course, while a. II actuated by one i'm.
pulse, officers and men >prang 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 hoarsc whistle rang out ia re-
turn, thr Meteor flag Slowly anu majes
tcalIy returned the salute, and the greet,
ing IN mid ocean was over
The commander OF that craft is A pen
aeman every mch Of bin" was the adj [
mlrlng remark Of the mate as he glanced
,Ni@r3',,S' the fast-fadirg troop hip