The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1897-08-18
THE LAST ~
y TORPEDO.
nv WALTER WOOD.

One day out from NiDfdlidi, tuning
home for overhauling and refitting.
NJ 90 had met q gale from the north
wsst TO turn and seek shelter at the
rock would be as dangerous, her com
mapder argued, as to go ahead. and
volld incur the risk of allegations of
moor scamanship and suggestions that
he feared TO face a breeze; and, being
a sensitive man, he dreaded either. To
m ahead in weather like that was to
travel in constant fear of laundering,
while TO heave to with such craft
ne No. 90 was to be overwhelmed in the
tempestuous waters.
"We're between the deep sea and the
devil with a vengeance" muttered the
captan. but there's no help for it.
It's full speed ahead. and Heaven be
with MS"
"Promises to be a stiff blow" said
the subleutenant, Harridance, strug-
p,ing TO the captains side. lie 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 pocket of his oily
irock and offered ii TO his commander.
ats the finest drop of mountain dew
on the bay at this moment" he added,
c,ingiug hard to a rail as he spoke,
"and there are plenty Of liners knock
ing about"
"It's the only means of getting warm
ihere'll be until this blow is over" Han
son said "a suppose there's 10 comfort
below"
"Not even an apology for it," said
Harridance, cheerful!y. "The gunner's
in a foot of water on the floor, il he's
in an inch, and every corners soaked.
As for the atmospbere-ugh, it's vile,
even for No. 90. suppose you're going
hot and strong in the teeth of every
tbing?"
The captain nodded.
"No intention of seeking shelter at
the rock. l SUPPOSE"
"No turning back for No. 90 this
trip" responded Hanson.
"Not going to make for Bordeaux, or
the lee of Belle Isle?"
"Not with a craft in this state. 1t
would create wrong opinion in for
eign minds as to the efficiency of Brit
ish torpedo boats"
Then it's neck or nothing" said Har-
ridance, "for think, of all the old car
casses Of the 'S5 batch of boats, No. 90
is the rottenest and Oldest"
"She's as tight as crack liner"
growled Hanson, who refused to ac-
knowledge any defect In this, his first
command.
Love is blind to faults" laughed
Harrdance. "For my own part, Pm
certain the odds are equal against our
getting into port with whole skins"
you've q nice, comfortable way of
looking at it," said Hanson, not with
out secret admiration of his juniors
coolness 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 assump-
ton, but correct about the ties. I'm not
indifferent. I'm merely philosophical.
II runs in the breed of us, and I'm de-
'eiopihg 1t. 1 want the Harridance
strain to become, in the fullness of
time, utterly unimpressionable and
careless of what fate or fortune has
In store for them. That's my ideal Of a
man."
BAH replied Hanson, with amused
good humor; "a worthless stick-in-the-
mud"
Think of the comfort of it," urged
harridance. "Come veal, come woe,
you wouldn't care. You'd go serenely
on"
We'll, young gentleman. you can
work up all your philosophy, for you'll
need it before tonight, unless the gale
goes down."
I'm fit, whatever comes" responded
Harridance, gayly.
lhen make yourself filter by going
osiow and getting nap. You'll be all
The better for it, and it'll be to the adj
vantage of No. 90"
ms, being in the nature of an or
oer' Harridance obeyed, but made no
effort to sleep.
Meanwhile the gale blew harder and
NO. 30 struggled on in the teeth of it.
oh deck Hanson and the helmsmap
were deluged by the seas that came ON
board and raced towards the stern.
Summoning all the philosophy he pos
sessed, and his stock was large, Har-
iiuance determined to try to get spell
VI sleep, however short, and to this end
ne lay on the least we locker.
Inc junior awoke from a dream in
winch he was fighting desperately with
asaVage, who was armed with an enor-
nous club. At the moment of awak-
,ng the weapon had descended upon his
mead; In reality he had been thrown off
'ne locker by heavy lurch of No. 90
ana was badly soused before he could
,esaln his feet. The gunner had clam
oerea on deck, and Harridance crawled
au''ously after him. feeling very wet
and wretched.
ne looked about him, and, finding
aa' the gale was worse. determined to
say nothing more to trouble Hanson.
mnsh ne reached his superior's side he
made no observation.
..,i IT'S cozier aboard of her than here"
~. manson, pointing to distant cb-
aae junior looked and saw ahead.
es "n on the horizon. the hull of an
esa liner. They neared each other
,hp p'uly' No. 90 ieaping franticaHy and
sweeps.
n,a e captain OF the liner was on the
wy, bridge. watching with sailors
H. 'ue way IN which No. 90 headed for
se.s s,as' As he approached she plunged
rsa. 0ns into wave. and for mo-
w seemed to have been swallowed