The Washington bee., 1892-12-24
"LtNcoLN Is KILLED"
A Striking Incident In Mid-Ocean After the
Presidential Assass' nation.

Presidential Ass6sa' nsstIou.
Early one morning the mate was
startled by the cry from sloft, Black
smoke ahead, sir A big steamer stand
ing to the southwark T.
The captain was called and in trice
bounced on deck, where, applying the
glass TO his eye, he took long look at
the stranger who had pushed so sud
denly out of the early mist hanging low
upon the horizon. Whatever her char
acter, we had but little chance to escape
if she had rihed guns. Many glance
of apprehension was directed toward
the somber hull and pair of sloping
smokestacks with the twirling smoke
trending far astern.
"Show him our colors, sir :! Bend on
the ensign we may as well be hanged
for sheep as lamb. II that fellow
is rebel the sooner we know it tho
better T. exclaimed the captain some
what excitedly to the mate.
1t was close upon six bells 7 o'clock
when the steamer revealed her nation
ality. We fairly yelled when the blood
red cross of st. George danced up aloft
from the steamers signal yards. She
was evidently troop-ship bound for
the cape, a trifle ont of her course, but
we did not stop to consider that. Sine
was too far distant to speak, but, il
obedience to a gesture from the cap
tain, the mate emptied bag of gaily
colored signals on deck, and the boys
were called aft to man the halyards
and lend hand to bend on the magic
flags. Upward futtered 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 mizzen-royal-mast was,
What news of the American war;
The flash of foam cast up by the
huge propeller greeted our strained
vision, the great steamer glided onward,
but no responsive signals gladdened the
anxious hearts of those yearning to hear
news from home. With a passionate
exclamation of disappointment the cap
tain 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 T. suddenly exclaimed
the mate, pointing. What is he going
to do q
He is coming about" shouted the
captain, his bronzed features fairly pal
ing lean 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, fol.
lowed 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
lpon that bright patcffamidships, upon
Fhitil dark lines could be Gscerned with
he naked eye. The glass showed these
we're letters.
Il have it T. shouted the captain leap
ng excitedly into the rigging. Spread |
he news fore and aft It says: The
American conflict is over. Davis O /
what's that? Heavens, |
lo-yes-' Lincoln is killed
"Strike the colors half mast, SIR
continued the captain to the mate in 9
ubdued tone, then he added: "Hois,
he signal thank you, to the steamer.
At that moment the rich, full tones OF
regimental band were waited acros.
he heaving swells, and many an eye
listened with emotion as the we'll
;nown strains of Hail Columbia were
aintly heard. The steamer slowly fel;
# and resumed her course, while, as j.
ctuated by one impulse, officers and
nen sprang into the weather rigging
living three times three and waving
heir hats in return for the kindness oi
he courteous Eng,ishmen. The stars
nd stripes were dipped three times,
be hoarse whistle rang out in return,
he meteor flag" slowly and majestic.
lily returned the salute and the greet
lg in mid-ocean was over.
The commander of that craft is 8
entleman-eyery inch of him." was
ne admiring remark of the mate as he
lanced astern at the ast-fading troop
hin ST Nicholas