St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-08-18

| Whatever her CHARACTER, We udu Out
little chance of escape, if she had rifed
guns. Many glance of apprehension
was directed toward the somber hull
and pair of sloping srnokestacks
with the twisting smoke trending
far astern.
SHOW him our colors, sir! Bend
on the ensign; we may as well be
hung for sheep as lamb. If that
fellow is rebel, the sooner we know
it the betterp 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 aloft from the steamers
signal-halvards. She was evidently
troop-ship bound for the Cape,
trife out of her course, but we did
not stop to consider that.
She was too far distant to speak,
but in obedience to a gesture from
the captain, the mate emptied bag
of gaily colored signals on deck; and
the boys were called aft to man the
halyards and lend a hand to bind on
the magic flags. Upward huttered
the parti-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 flash 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 a passionate exclamation of
disappointment 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 exclain
ed the mate, pointing. What is he
going to do ~
He is coming about" shouted the
captain, his bronzed features fairly
paling. Can it be possible he has
played US trick, and is the Alabama?
Stand by, all hands, for"
A deep blast of the steam-whistle
rumbled over the flashing 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 was
directed upon that bright patch
amidships, upon which dark lines
could be discerned with the naked
eve. The glass showed these were
letters.
"Ihave it," shouted the captain,
leaping eXcitedly into the rigging.
"Spread the news fore and aft? 1t
says, the American conflict is over
Davis a fugitive'-and what's that?
Heavens, no-yes-'L Lincoln is 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 stea mer."
At that moment the rich full tones
of a regimental band were waited
across the heaving sweTls, and many
an eye glistened with emotion as the
well-known strains of Hail Colnn-
bia" were family heard The steam
by one impulse, officers and men
SDIdIS lllO lLS weather IISSlIlS,
giving three times three and waving
their hats in return for the kindness
Of the courteous Englishman.
The Stars and Stripes were dipped
three times, the hoarse whistle rang
out in return, the Meteor flag"
slowly and majestically returned the
salute, and the greeting in mid-ocean
was over.
The commander Of that craft is a
gentleman-every inch of him - was
the admiring remark of the mate as
glanced astern at the fast-fading
troop-ship.
There was deep mourning through
out the ship, for our delight in victory
and peace was at first overcome by
the sorrowful tidings Of the death of
the beloved President. There was
no other news until we hove for
pilot off Barnegat,i and he brought
file of papers which gave US full
news of the surrender at Appomat-
tox, and told how the great Lincoln
had been ASA ssinated.-[ Capt. H.
D Smith, u S. N. in August St.