The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-03-20

carried would depend upon the power OF
the engines to keep her off the galnt rocks
that frnged the shore Almost instantly
the distant roar of the advancing tempest
was heard, and in another moment the
cabin orderly came running up eXcitedly
to Brydell. "If you please, SIR he sale,
Mr.. Verdery was just going in the cabin
to look at the glass when, one of the
ports being loose, the wind blew 1T in AID
it struck Mr.. Verdery right full in the
forehead and knocked him senseless. The
cabin steward run to him to do everything
he could, but Mr.. Nerdery can't give 40
orders and the steward, was Il hospital
steward once, says as how it was pretty
bad blow and when Mr.. Nerdery com $
to he can't give no orders, cause both
his eyes are bleedin' and he can't see"
For one moment Brydells heart stood
still. He was the next officer in rank to
Nerdery board, the only others besides
the assistant engineer being Manning and
Buxton, both his juniors, and upon him
would rest the command of the flagship
and her company in a gale which promised
to be a hurricane. In another moment,
though, his courage rose. Il can only do my
best" he thought, "and all my life and
training has been steadily toward making
me fit for such an emergency and all
can do is to keep off shore and trust in
God
At that very moment the advance guar.
of the storm struck them. AS they WEI =
at anchor their canvas was secure, b I
their steam was low and the wind W ~
driving them straight on to destructio ~
The Maids head had been pointed Sc
ward but as the tempest struck her u
knocked the great frigate around as if X
had been a paper ship and her heavy az
chors began to drag. tt
call the boatswain," was Brydells fir.
quick order, given calmly enough, althou, !.
his heart was humping like a steam e. !
CINE and his next was, Call the sign
man" In another moment the sharp c.
of the whistle was heard to get up II
anchor and above the darkness the niga95
signal went up to the other ships, VI
anchors and go to sea" Their only sara;
lay in seeking the open ocean. Mann II
and Buxton were on deck Immediately
and composed. Crawford, the young =
gineer was at his post. working hare (
get up steam, and in a few minutes of
throb of the engines. slow, but ste b,
was heard. -
Bryden was at the wheel. with At<.> az
old acquaintance of his cadet da7hd
was now a quartermaster and rente5rr - i
cool-headed and reliable. The he ~
put hard aport and in the ties tal>. w
gale the ship brought al 9ennvrs 1en
degrees. A black and blindilsl Il
come along with lhund,,T, "
wiId, ana il was only dufin9 n
of lighning that the Vixen and tA~..x.rG
could be seen Booth sloops-of-Iaf had
more powerful engines for their size and
worked better than the Naiad. AS soon as
ships had come about and were heading
seaward for safety. They made but slow
progress, but still they were moving steadi-
ly and passed close to the Naiad the
port quarter. The Naiad was struggling
with the fury of the storm, and, although
her head had been brought partly round,
she lay in the trough of the sea, her la
boring engines seemingly unable to move
her against the force of the hurricane.
All her company Were on deck except the
force down in the engine rooms and the
men had begun to make silent preparation
for the fight for their lives. Most Of them
had kicked off their shoes and stripped off
their Jackets, expecting every moment TO
be ensulfed in the boiling sea.
Suddenly a flash of lightning that lasted
nearly a minute and played over the whole
heavens showed them the Spit1re passing
them easily though slowly, followed by
the Vixen. Captain Brydell was standing
on the bridge Of the Spitfre and saw at
a glance that Brydell was in command
He at once surmised that Lieutenant YER
derry was disabled. AS he forged ahead of
the flagship Captain Brydeu took off his
cap and waved it and BrydelI knowing the
spirit of fortitude that his father expected
OF him, waved his cap back in that mo-
ment Of CHASTITY light. Then. the dark
ness descended a cheer rang out above the
bowling OF the wind; it was the men on
the Naiad cheering their more fortunate
comrades While they themselves seemed
doomed to destruction.
But at that moment the frigate, as if
gathering herself for Il mighty effort moved
forward a LITTLE then stopped and stag
gered, and again she was moving ahead
although but slowly and unsteadily. Bry
dell managed to keep her head TO the wind
ana by degrees the steam got up, She
made Il little more Roadway. In the blind
ing flashes of light they could see the two
sloops-of-War for awhile ahead of them
but whom they had got a mile or two from
shore not even the lightning CLEAN could
pierce the whole of The awful darkness.
BlEdeiI's sensations as he stood by the
wheel, occasionally leaving it to mount the
hrld&e for a minute or two, could not be
described. He was simply doing what any
other officer could do or would have done,
but no young officer in the world having
for his first command the safety of flag
snip IN a furious gale and the lives of four
hundred souls could feel anything but
aWod and solemn. The quickness with
which he had seized the situation and had
SIsnaled the course to pursue had inspired
the men with confidence and he was well
supported by the cooness and steadiness
of the young midshipman. Presently, while
walking forward to see how things were
going, he was met by the cabin or
DERBY who, in attempting to salute
lost his cap in the shrie1ing wind
Mr.. Nerdery, sir, has come to- he yelled
in BTydeils ear above the roaring of the
wind and water. and the cabin steward is
helping him ON dcck-but he can't see,
cause both his eyes were hurt by that ere
port BLOWN OUT
In the half darkness that the ships
lights could only pierce like star points,
BtNdell saw Nerdery, with his eyes
bandaGed, being helped up the companion
way. Brydell hurried to him.
You have done admirably, Mr.. Brydell"