The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-07-14

resumed their monotonous labor. 81
by bit the tiny craft crept over the oil,
surface toward us until she was clos
enough for Us TO SEQ with our make,
eyes all that she contained.
AS she came alongside our gangwa,
was lowered, and within an hour from
the time of our Grst sighting her TIL
boats crew stood upon our deck. Il
spite of their mau-of- war dress more
miserable. woebegone appearance coulC
not have been imagined than the party
presented. 1t consisted of one liepten
ant, midshipman and three able sea
men, and ont of curiosity glanced al
the cap of the man standing nearest me,
1t bore the name II. NJ S. Asiatic. Then
looked round for Allie, oily to discover
that she had mysteriously disappeared.
1t was left for Patterson to welcome the
poor fellows TO the yacht, and this he
accordingly did with hearty kind
ness that should hardly have expected
from him.
Before you tell me anything about
yourselves, he said, "let me arrange
for the comfort of your men," Then,
calling hand TO him, he continued,
! pointing to the three Jacks who stood
sheepishly by: Take these men forrard
and tell the cook to give them all they
want. You can supply them with ham,
mocks among you and find room some
where for them TO sling them" Then,
turning to the officers again, he said,
"Will you be so good as to follow me,
| gentlemen" and led the way down the
companion TO the cuddy. Thinking my
professional services might possibly be
required, followed with Walworth.
On reaching the cabin they were con-
Quoted to seats, and food was immedi-
ately set before them. They fell upon it
like starving men, and for some time
only the sound of steady munching and
the clatter Of knives and forks were to
be heard. When they had finished the
midshipman without warning burst
into flood of tears and was led by Wal
worth to cabin near by, where, when
his torrent had worn itself out, the poor
little chap fell fast asleep.
Now, said Patterson as soon as the
lieutenant had finished his meal, "per-
1T won't take long to do that" the
officer began. II am the first lieutenant
OF Eer majesty's cruiser Asiatic. We
were sent out from Singapore last Sat
urday in pursuit of this very yacht, if l
mistake not. As you know, we almost
picked you up in the fog. but when it
lifted your superior steaming power en-
abled you to escape u.s. Then the ty-
phoon caught u.s. and in looking after
ourselves we lost sight of you altogether.
We rode out the storm safely enough,
but just at suntime yesterday she struck
an uncharted rock and went down with
in five minutes "
He stopped for moment and covered
his face with his hands.
"This is terrible newsp' cried Patter-
son, while we all gave utterance to ex-
pressions of Mortified astonishment
And was yours the only boat that got
away?"
I'm very much afraid so," he re-
piled. "At least saw no other Yes |
you are right; it is terrible, and her |
majesty has lost a fine vessel and a |
splendid ships company in the Asiatic." |
When the poor fellow had finished |
his story, he was silent for some min |!
utes. Indeed, so were we all. 1t seemed |
almost incredible that the great vessel |
we had admired and feared only the day !
before should now be lying, with the |
majority OF her crew, deep down at the |
bottom of the ocean.
I'VE are fortunate in having been
able to pick you up" said Patterson
after awhile. Gan hour later and we
should have changed our course and
have been many miles away
In that case we should have been
dead men by nightfall," was the reply
As 1T was, we lost one man..
"How did it happen?'
THE poor devil went mad and jump-
ed overheard. Remember we had no
water and nothing to eat, and so you
may imagine it was heartbreaking work
pulling in that baking sun. The miracle
to me is that the boy stood it as well as
he did,
Poor little ohapl 1t must have been
q terrible experience for him.
"And what do you intend doing with
1s!" asked the officer, after a little
pause. For, of course, we're your pris-
Oners."
That l cannot say Patterson an
swered. at does not lie within nv
province. However, you'll hear soon
fear BY the way, sup
pose you will give me your word that
you will not attempt to play us any
tricks. You must remember please, that
10 all intents and purposes we are at
yarl'
II will give you my word. Is that
Quite enough. And now that you
nave done so l make you free of our
vardroom and its contents. -
All the time Patterson had been speak
ng had noticed that the lieutenant.
whose name, it transpired later, was
lhorden, had been staring at his face as
I trying to recall some countenance it |
eminded him of. just as we were pre.