The Delta independent., 1897-04-28

wife. "What was it?s
Here, here, that won't do" he an
swered. Don't worry. We're still
afioat, and likely to keep aAoat, which
is more 70 the point"
..Then what has hsppened?" I broke
in.
1--WE struck something. Just what,
we don't know, but something quite
awash. for nobody saw ANYTHING Of II.
Whatever it was. we must have sent L.
to the bottom. None of the men caught
even a glimpse of the thing ss we went
over Il.
"a derelict?"
"Perhaps. However, we're not badly
damnSrd m far "A can be discovered.
There's no danger"
With a great sigh of relief, his wife
sank back in her seat. Her husband
bent over her and kissed her.
"Don't let her get down-hearted, doc
tor" said he. .She's brave little wom-
nm IL she has only a chance. Remember,
both of YOU. we're not sinking, but
rdoat in M sound Q ship a. ever
wa. sent of the ways. And now I've
cot to no on deck again"
In snite of the confidence he felt, or
assumed. there wns little rest for US
that NIGHT. Morning. to be sure, showed
the vessel apparently uniniured, ut least
to unskilled eyes, though one could not
helm noticing that the faces of the
m.tes were unusually grave, and that
the men talked earnestly among them
selves. The pumps had been going dur
ing the night, a. / knew, and now, at in
tervals, the clank of them penetrated
the cabin. Nevertheless the captain
again and again declared that there WINS
no danger, until by force of repetition
he succeeded in allaying the fears of his
wife.
We held the breeze for three days.
Then followed . gale of 20 hours dura-
ton, which left behind It an ugly sea-
The next morning the pumps were go
ing steadily. The cold had moderated
sensibly. and from under the lee Of n
boat 1 enjoyed q pipe and watched the
men at the brakes. After little the
skipper. who had been standing near
the wheel, crossed over to me.
Doctor" he said, "I've something to
tell you. It In better for you to learn It
now than to come Mt It after awhile by
euesswOrk. We've changed our course
and are headed for Rio"
Then the ships injury II greater
than you supposed7" asked, with all
my old terror sroussd.
"Yes. We have been Leaking forward
ever since the collision. The pitching
and rolling in yesterdays blow In
clear. I want you to understand this
and to aid me in keeping up my wife's
spirits. Make her believe that seeking
port for repairs II more of an extra pre-
caution than q necessity"
"I'l do NV best.- promised. and.
though INV success was doubtful. 1
honestly strove to aid the captains de-
.i1ns. OF the anxious days of TINT
run to Rio there in little to re-
cord: but. reach Il a. we did Mt
length. with the pumps going. the
men aimost worn out and the shin
showing a rood deal less freeboard
than she had displayed in the Pacific,
We learned. soon after our arrival. tha.
Perez was out of the CITY. and that Il
WAS uncertain when he would return.
The work of repairs on the shin vas
nushcd. for her master WINS ,le.irous to
io.e as little time as possible. There
were some cases Of fever reported
among the shipping. aud once or twice
I was called aboard vessels to prescrits.
for men living i'll of the disease, I
.,o,,ht whether INV Manifestations had
much effect. yellow Jack being then
.,o,. - .tr,,0.- &<, ~. .n,r 1.. thr