The morning call., 1893-08-20

whom Neptune had released from the
cabins below. At the luncheon bic every
seat was taken, even Miss Thorndyke all
lowing the good-aatured ste wardess to
help her to her place. There was much
merry laughter. light banter. hopes ex-
pressed of calm trip the rest OF the way.
aud to all the talk the rhythm OF the pro-
peller as it churnsd the water astern was
the only accompanying sound.
''Miss Thorndyke. try some of the
curry" said the captain. He passed the
dish, and was about placing 1t by the side
of her plate, when he dropped it on the
table and jumped to his feet At the in
stant every face was blanched, for it
seemed as if a power from the internal re-
gions was delivering blow after blow at
the vessels hull, while the massive iron
framework Quivered under the attack.
This awful noise seemed TO continue
indefinitely, but in reality it was over
before the captain and chief engi-
neer had reached the deck. Both had
started at the same moment Then there
was silence, quiet mnre fearful than the
noise, for even the Teassuring sound of
the propeller was stilled. Women and
children cried and men looked solemn.
The officers who had remained in the
saloon did their best to still the alarm.
"Only slight accident TO the machinery"
said they. 1--WE will be all right In few
hours"
Instinctively, Miss Curtis had drawn
near her male companion during those
awful seconds. and neither noticed till
afterward that he had placed his arm
around her.
Come, Raymond, help me with auntie,"
she said moment later. For, worn out
with three days and three nights of tor
ture. Miss Thorndyke's nerves had given
away aud she was lying back in her cDair
in a dead faint. But so were other
women and the stronger ones were kept
busy for awhile. In ten minutes the cap
tain reappeaTed. "The shaft is broken"
said he, but there Is no danger as no
damage was done the hull. The break is
in the collar where we cannot get at it. aud
the ouly thing is 80 proceed under SAIL We
have plenty of provisions, aud must make
the best of it and pray for good weather."
Some men cursed the delay. They were
those whose hours were precious, and
few days longer at sea meant business
losses. One little woman at the end of the
table went bitterly. Her husband would
he down at the dock to meet her oD the
day the Colon was due, and what agony he
would be in! But before night all had
cheered up somewhat and were prepared
to make the best of if. Curtis was really
delighted at the delay. though he kept his
thoughts to himself. She had in a moment
OF terror called him Raymond" and he
well. he now thought she might be per-
suaded to some day use that name for
ever.
Captain" said he an hour after the ac
cident. sis 1t not strange that the shaft
broke during such smooth weather."
Yes, 1t is unusual, but | suppose it
cracked a little during the norther We ran
out in last trip and the crack has been
spreading since. 1t was fortunate it did
happen during fine weather and not in a
gale"
How fast can we go under sail?"
"Oh, perhaps four o- five knots. You see
in these days of steam we don'C carry much
canvas. AT present we are barely making
steerage way. But if the average winds
keep up we can make Navesnk light in
ten or twelve days and get d tug. There
are so few steamships running this course
that the chances are we will sight nothing
Esbnt sailing vessels till we see the coast.
All we want is good weather. There will
be no danger unless a gale comes on and
then YOU know what might happen II we
should get into the trough OF the sea-.
Curtis shuddered, but he was thinking Of
Minnie, for just then she stepped out OF
the companion. way into the glowing SUM-
| light that fliekering in her hair wreathed
her face as with halo.
"A pretty picture" said the captain. "as
pretty a one as could be wished"
The girl came forward. Captain" she
said, you and Mr.. Curtis come and play
quoits. You must do something to inter-
est your passengers"
! Laughingly he complied. and merry
/ evening was the sequel 10 an afternoon of
| fright and WORRY.
For five days fortune seemed to be with
| the Colon. The wind came from the
southeast. and with every bit of canvas
set she reeled OF an average of 100 miles a
day SUNDAY n3Qrniuc Tire uvioi ,.yos oDtta