The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1897-09-02

/ THE LAST ~
~ TORPEDO. !
BY WALTER 700
BY WALTER WOOD.


NO. 90. tirst-class torpedo boat, wa
doing the very best within hel
power; that is to say, She was making
Is knots, and at that speed she jumped
and ratified like a thing Of life in evil
mood.
One day ont from Gibraltar, running
home for overhauling and refitting,
No. 90 had met a gale from the north,
west. To turn and seek shelter at the
rock would be as dangerous, her com
mander argued, as to go ahead, and
would incur the risk of allegations of
poor seamanship and suggestions that
he feared to face a breeze; and, being
a sensitive man. he dreaded either. To
go ahead in weather like that was to
travel in constant fear Of laundering.
while to heave to with such a craft
as No. 80 was to be overwhelmed in the
tempestuous waters.
Were between the deep sea and the
devil with a vengeance" muttered the
captain. But there's no help for it.
It's full speed ahead, and Heaven be
with us"
promises to be a stiff blow" said
the sublieutenant. H~arridance, strug-
Cling to the captains side. He and his
superior, Hanson, were at school to-
gether, and there was scant ceremony
between them while on board of No. 90.
The sublieutenant produced a flask
of whisky from a pocket of his oily
frock and offered it to his commander.
ITS the finest drop Of mountain dew
on the bay at this mcment.' he added.
clinging hard to a rail as he spoke,
"and there are plenty of liners knock
ing about"
ITS the only means of getting warm
there'll be until this blow is over" Han
son said. II suppose there's no comfort
be,ow?"
Not even an apology for it." said
H~arridance, cheerfully. THE gunner's
in a foot of water on the floor, if he's
in an inch. and every corners soaked.
As for the a'mosphere-ugh, it's vile.
even for No. 90. suppose you're going
hot and strong in the teeth of every
thing?"
The captain nodded.
NO intention of seeking shelter at
the rock, l suppose"
mo turning back for No, 80 this
trip responded Hanson.
Not going to make for Bordeaux. or
the lee of Belle 1sle"
Not with a craft in this state. It
would create a wrong opinion in for
eign minds as to the efficiency of Brit
ish torpedo boats"
Then it's neck or nothing" said Har-
r%idance, "for think, of al the yld ear
casses of the s., hatch of hoots Va on
is the rottenest and Oldest"
shes as tight as a crack liner"
erowIed Hanson who efnsad "a a.
knowledge any defect in this, his first
command.
Love is blind to faults laughed
Harrida,os SEQ, -, ~.
certain the odds are equal against our
getting into port with whole skins"
You've a nice. comfortable way of
looking at it," said Hanson NOT Nth.
out a secret admiration of his iunicr's
GOODNESS and good spirits. But half
your indifference is assumed and the
rest is due to the fact that YOU have
no family ties"
You're wrong about the ossump
ton, but correct about the ties. Tn not |
indifferent. I'm merely philosophical.
1t runs in the breed of us. and i'm de. |
VeIoping it. I want the Harridance
strain to become. in the fullness of
tlne' utterly unimpressionable and !
of what fate or fortune has '
IN store for them. That's my ideal of a
man. i
IAN replied Hanson. with amused
humor; "a worthless stick-in-the- t
mud
Think of the comfort of it," urged =
'farridance. Come veal, come woe. o
You wouldn't care. You'd go serene,y e
d
We'll, young gentleman. Won can n
YORK up all your philosophy. for you'll
iced it before tonight. unless the gale fl
goes down." II
I'm fiji. whatever comes responded "
iarridance, gayly. fl
Then make yourself filter by going f,
'clow and getting a nap. You'll be all
he better for II and i'm be N ,bo ID -,
'antage of No. 90" :,
This, being in the nature of an Or :,
Harrid,r,. oLorod h =,