People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-03-02
LCHAPTER VIL.-CoyrIyUEp.l

'' 'hCAC On C1I Uil ulu you CCInc
from, Sam?"
"Been chasing the buoy"
Chasing the BUOY
This was Captain Fioyd'a voice.
Eyes sir. 1t broke loose four DAYS
ago, and has been drifting round ever
since. It's scared the officers of more n
dozen ships half out of their wits
already"
"And well it might. Why, when we
heard it we thought we were right on
the rocks"
'And what fetched you out here,
Sam?'
Chasing it for the salvage. Four
boats started from the Holl to find it
They are all round here now, for a
French steamer heard it last night
most scared 'em out of their Senses
and now you have run afoul of it.
Wen come up with it as soon as the
fog lifts. We heard you stop in the
fog, and kinder guessed what was the
matter"
This speech, distinctly heard by all
on the deck below, produced a pro-
found impression. The relief from
the strain of fear and anxiety
found expression in sort OF
inarticulate murmur that broke
into loud comments and laughter and
ended in rousing cheer, in which
sailors, firemen, and passengers joined.
Then followed a scene of confusion, in
which everything save gratitude was
forgotten. Men swarmed up the steps
to the bridge and fairly dragged the
young man to the deck to shake his
hand and cover him with thanks and
congratulations. The officers made
no attempt to stay the almost
frantic enthur'f n The people
seemed to h but one instinct
to make a hero of the man
who had so instantly changed the
tragedy that had seemed to impend
over all their lives into almost farcical
comedy. Men shook hands with en-.
tire strangers. Women kissed one an
other in tears and laughter. One big
fellOw-a Western man-poured a
handful of gold into the young mans
cap, and then threw another handful
to the crew. Finding the little boat
with one man on board still at the
ships side, he gave final vent to his en-
thusiasm by dropping his pocllet-bool;
on the bOatman's head, where it struck
with loud whack and bounced into
the water amid shouts of laughter
from the spectators. Below, corks
flew in sort of fusillade, and every
one tried to be happy-some in good
ways, some in bad.
In the midst of the uproar of reioic
ing the sun burst forth, and the mist
melted away like a torn sail, and there
on the sea were the four good boat,
from the Holl racing frantically for a
black dot on the water mile astern.
And through it all the steamer lay
safe and silent on the water.
Capt. Floyd put his hand on the tel
to call his engineer to go ahead, ant
hesitated.
johnson, owe you an apology
blamed you for the danger
we thought we were in. l was mis-
taken, old friend: and you must let me
reward your son for the news he
brought"
Guess Sam amt the fellow to take
a reward. Lor'! did you see those pas
sengers drag him off to the saloon?''
Where is he now?"
81 don't know. Guess he's below
somewhere"
Come into the chart-room. I'll
send for your son. l want to see you
both for minute before we start"
During all the rejoicings one lay be-
low in a state-room, almost heart.
broken. She seemed to be trembling
between life and death. The doctor
bent over her, anxious and alarmed,
How did it happen?"
81 hardly know, Doctor" said the
Judge. "We were on deck when that
man-that fsherman-arrived, when
she suddenly tainted, and we brought
her to her room"
Mrs Gearing, poor lady, completely
unstrung by the events of the day, sat
beside the girl, bathing her face and
wondering what had happened. Why
faint in moment Of such rejoicing?
Just then there was knock at the
door. The Judge opened it, expecting
a servant who had been sent for water.
1t was Capt. Floyd.
81 beg pardon for intrudirg, but is
there Miss johnson here?"
Yes, Captain, but she is very i'll"
"Ah! Perhaps l understand why.
= You are her guardian, think, sir?"
"She is travelling with u.s."
"You represent her?"
YES I may say I do. What is
wanted?"
Just this, sir. Her father, Can't
johnson, is on this ship, and-you will
excuse me for plain speaking-I fear
there has been some misunderstanding
between them. am keeping the ship
here that | may take the girl to hsr
own father"
"He is not her own father"
"Who is?"
eve do not know; but if she wishes
to see Capt. johnson she can. will
take her to him presently. Is he in
the saloon?"
No, sir; he is in my private room.
I am EaaninO fha chin