The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1892-08-04
"What News"
AN INCIDENT IN MID-OCEAN

Early one morning the mate was star
tied by the cry from aloft, ''Black smoke
ahead. sir. A big steamer standing to the
southwark"
The captain was called. and in a trice
bounced on deck. where, applying the
glass to his 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 lit
tie chance of escape, if she had rit1ed
guns. Many a glance of apprehension
was directed toward the somber hull and
pair of sloping smoke stacks with the
twisting smoke trending far astern.
''Show him our colors, sir Bend on the
ensign; we may as well be hung for a
sheep as a lamb. If that fellow is rebel
| the sooner we know it the better ex-
claimed the captain somewhat excitedly
to the mate
1t was close upon six bells (>even
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 lizards. She was evil
IDENTITY troop->lip bound for the Cape a
tritie out of her course. but we did not
stop to consider that.
She was too far distant to speak. but in
obedience to ii gesture from the captain.
the mate emptied 4 bag of gaily colored
signals on deck: and the boys We're called
aft to man the halyards and lend hand
to bend on the magic flags. Upward tlut-
tered the party-colored bits OF bunting
glasses We're leveled. and breathless eN-
pectancy marked the sunbulnt features of
from our mizzeuroyalmast was '-What
news of the American War;
The flash Of foam cast up by the huge
( propeller greeted our straining vision, the
/ great steamer gllled onward. but no lie
/ sponsive signals gladdened the anxious
| hearts OF those yearning to hear news
/ from home.
With a passionate exclamation of disap-
pointment the captain closed the joints OF
his long glass with a savage snap, saying
As he turned away, He has II t our code.
/ Its no use.
''Look at that suddenly exclaimed
the mate, pointing. what is he going
to do?"
Gle is coming about shouted the cap
tain, his bronzed features fairly paling
Can it be possible he has played US {
trick, and is the Alabama? Stand by al
hands for
A deep blast of the steam whistle rum
bled over the flashing waters. followed by
a number of quick toots AS the steamer
ranged to leeward then an expanse OF
white canvas was lowered over the side.
Glasses We're directed upon that bright
patch amidships, upon which dark lines
could be di>cerned with the naked eye
The glass showed these We're letters
IL have it, shouted the captain, leap
ing excitedly into the rigging. ''SpreaG
the news fore and aft, 1t says. The
American conflict is over. Davis a fugi
tive and what's that? Heavens. no
yes-'Ljacol1 is hHled'
Strike the colors half mast, sir, con
tinued the captain to the mate, in sub
dued tone. Then he added, Hoist the
signal, Thank YOU 10 the steamer
At that moment the rich, full tones of
rcgimental band We're waited across the
heavin9 swells, and riany an eye glisten
ed with emotion as the we'll known strain.
The steamer slowly fell off, and resumed
her course. while, as if actuated by one
impulse, officers and men sprang 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 We're dipped tire,
times, the hoarse whistle rang out in re
turn, the Meteor hag'' slowly and ma
jesticaliy returned the salute, and til,
greeting in miii-oce was over
''The commander of that craft is gen
tleman-every inch Of him. was the adj
miring remark of the mate as he glance,
astern at the fast-fading troop-ship
| Capt. H. ID. Smith. L. 5. n, in Angus
st. Nicholas.