Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-05-06

single point IN the horizon.
1t must be the Vulcan he said at
last.
Il think so, sir
Turn your wheel few points TO
port and bear down on her"
johnson gave the necessary order
and the great ship veered around.
Hello" cried Spinner, on deck.
Here's a steamer. Ifound her. She's
mine"
Then there was rush to the side
of the ship. "A steamer in sight,
was the cry, and all books and maga-
zines at once lost interest Even the
placid, dignitied EngliShman who was
30 uncommunicative rose from his
chair and sent his servant for his bi-
noculars. Children were held up and
told to be careful while they tried TO
see the dim line of smoke so far
ahead.
Talk about land routes at sea,
cried young Spinner, the knowing.
"Bosh, | say. See! we're going di-
rectly for her. Thing what it might
be III a fogs Lane routes. Pure luck.
| call it,"
Will we signal to her, Mr.. Spinner
gently asked the young lady from
Boston.
"Oh, certainly" answered young
Spinner. See, there's our signal fly
ing from the masthead now. That
shows them what line we belong to.
Dear me, how interesting said
the young lady. You have crossed
many times, suppose, Mr.. Spinner.
"Oh, know my way about, an
swered the modest Spinner.
The captain kept the glasses glued
TO his eyes. Suddenly he almost let
them drop.
My God! Johnson, he cried.
What is it, sir?'
She's flying signal of distress,
too.'
The two steamers slowly approach
ed each other, and when nearly along
side aud about mile apart 'the bell
of the Adamant rang to stop.
"Oh. look look! look" cried the
enthusiastic indianapolis girl who
was going to make music in Germany.
Everyone looked aloft and saw run
ming up to the masthead a long line
of futtering, many colored flags.
They remained in place for few mo
ments and then futtered down again.
only to give place toa different string
The same thing was going on the
other steamer.
Now just too interesting for any
thing" said Mrs. Assistant. Il am
just dying to know what it all means.
have read OF it so often but never
saw it before. | wonder when the
captain will come down. What does
it all mean" she asked the deck stew
ard
They are signaling each other,
madam
"Oh, | know that. But what are
they signalingY'
Il don't know, madam
"Oh, see! seer cried the Indanap-
oils girl, clapping her hands with de
light. The other steamer is turning
round"
1t was indeed so. The great ship
was thrashing the water with her
screw, aud gradually the masts came
in line aud then her prov faced the
east again. When this had been
slowly accomplished the bell on the
Adamant rang full speed ahead, and
and then the captain came slowly
down the ladder that led from the
bridge.
"Oh. captain, what does it all
meany'
rs she going back, captain? Moth
ing wrong, | hope
What ship is it, captain?'
The ship" said the captain slowly,
lis the Vulcan, of the Black Bowling
Line, which left Queenstown shortly
after we left New York She has met
with an accident. Ran into some
wreckage, it is thought, from the re
cent storm. Anyhow there il hole
in her. aud whether She sees Queens
town or not will depend great deal
on what weather we have and wheth-
er her bulkheads hold out. We will
stand by her till We reach Queens
town"
Are there many on board, do you
think, captain q
There are thirty seven cabin pas
sengers and over 800 steerage pas
sengers, answered The captain.
"Oh, the poor creatures, cried the
sympathetic Mrs. Second-Adjutant.
Think of their awful position. May
be engulfed at any moment sup
pose they are all on their knees in
the cabin. How thankful the! must
have been TO see the Adamant"
On all sides there was the profound
est sympathy for the Vulcan. Cheeks
paled at the very thought Of the ca
tastrophe that might take place at any
moment within their own sight 1t
was a realistic object lesson on the
ever present dangers of the sea.
While those on deck locked with new
interest at the steamship plunging
along within a mile OF them. the cap
tain slipped away to his room. As he
sat there, there was a tap at his
door.
Come in. - shouted the captain.
The silent Englishman slowly en-