The Florence daily tribune., 1898-05-31

= ls.s7fassle,f Hf7V Cefsi7esgy.
evening Of the day following we saouid
be within easy reach OF It.
Next morning just after daylight |
was awakened BY a loud humping at
my cabin door
"Who is theret'' l cried.
"Walworth. owant you oa dock at
once.
RyjaIna clad though I was, thrust
my feet into slippers aud ran up the
companion ladder. l found Patterson
there anxiously awaiting me-
"What IS the matteF;e Iaslged breath
lossly. why did you send FOR megi'
II you want my reason, ho said.
pointing over opr s,arhoard sian, look
there -
looked and to my horror saw ahead
Of rs. commanding the whole strait,
Two enormous men-of.war They were
within six miles Of us and were evil
IDENTIFY making preparations for stopping
Us.
whats to he doneg' l cried. can
other quarter Of an hour and they'll
blow US into ATOMS If We don't heavo
To-"
"Wm you inform your wife, and
then perhaps we bad better hold coun-
ell Of war, answered Patterson.
Without another word l went below
and told Allie
Il viii -dress and come ON deck ut
once, " sho said.
went of to my own cabin and has
tiiy clothed myself Having done SO, L
returned to tho deck to find Patterson
looking through his glass at something
osteru.
We're nicely caught, he said on
becoming aware Of my presence.
There's another Of thom behind us. F"
1 took the glass and looked for my
self. What he reported was quito cor.
rect. We were caught like rats in
trap. just returned the glass to him
Allie appeared and Joined our group.
''Ihis is bad news, gentlemen,n she
said quite calmly. Il suppose there
can be 10 doubt they are after us. What
have yon to suggests"
1t is difficult 10 say answered Pat
terson. "rwo things, howovar. are quito
oertnin. -
"Whnt nre they9''
=
ed to run tie Schooner ashore we must
so backward or forward. There is no
middle course. In either case the reztilt
VIII be the same.
Havo you sent word to tho engine
room to get up steamr''
"Wo have had u full pressure this hour
past y J
Allie turned to me.
"What do you advise my hushand?"
''There is nothing eiso for it, " an
swered, "but to run the gantlet of them
We must try nntg2es through y
VERY coed, then. Run il shall te.
Are you satisfied hIr. Pattersons'
"Quite. 1agreo with Or. De Norman
vile; it is our only ohnnee''
''Then let ussset as close to them as
we can and directly their signals go Mp
race for it. We shall probably be hit,
| bat we mustn't mind that"
The wind was blowing from the most
favorable qnarter, and every moment
was bringing us nearer to our enemies.
50 far they had made no sign. but it
was evident now that they were draw
ing closer to each other.
When wo were within easy range.
the second officer reported that the lar
ger OF the two cruisers was signaling.
what does she say?' asked Iatter-
aop.
The officer put up his glass again,
aud having locked studied The admiral
ty book lying upon the hatchway.
"Heaye To and let mo exnmine you. T"
Every kind, indeed. said Allie.
But we're not 10 be caught in that
way No, no, my friena, if you want us
you viii have 10 use sterner measures
tban that
Patterson gave an order. and present.
| y stream Of bunting was flying from
our own gGG end.
Whut are you saying''' asked when
tho signals mad uurolled and caught the
wind.
''I'm asking him why ho wants to
stop us;" answered Ratterson.
All this TIME we were creeping up
between them. Onco more signal
broke out, and again tho officer report
ed. This time il ran, "Heave to, and
III send boat" But thi5was equally
unregarded.
For ten minutes there was no change
cave that we had now come up level
with them. Then down futtered tho
string Of flags, and at the same instant
fash OF fire came from the nearest
vessel, followed by q cloud of white
smoke. Almost ut the same instant a
sharp report reached our ears.
(To be continuedl
tAtsa.h,