The Florence daily tribune. (Florence, Colo.) 1898-1903, 1898-05-12

the water before the fog was lifted as
though by some giant hand. and the sun
shono brilliantly forth. The transition
from the obscurity of semidnrkness to
bright sunshine was quite dazzling and
set us all blinking like so many owls.
Then saw every face turn suddenly in
one direction, and as they did so every
mouth went down. Next moment the
officer of the watch had bounded to the
engine room telegraph. there was n con-
fused ringing of bells in the bowels of
the ship, and before minute could
have elapsed we were under way once
more.
And what do you think was the rea-
son OF all this commotion2 Why, there,
not half a mile distant from us, full
steam up and ensign streaming in the
breeze, lay an enormous English man
of-war. She was evidently ON our trail
and by altering her course only half
point might have run us down in the
fog. 1t was very evident she had only
just become aware that she was so close
to her prey or she would surely have
sent boat and attempted to take us
prisoner. AS it was, this sudden lifting
of the fog must have caused them us
much surprise as it did us, for it was
good minute before we heard the shout
ing of orders and blowing of bos'n's
pipes aboard her. AS soon Us had re-
covered from my establishment fetched
glass from the rack and brought it to
bear ON her, ut the same time convino-
ing myself that we were in for warm
quarter of an hour.
True to our expectations, before we
had been steaming couple of minutes
there came u puff of smoke from her
port bow, and an instant later shot
flow in front of as and dropped into the
water mile or ST. on our left side. 1t
was evidently n signal to us to heave to
without any nonsense or further waste
of time. But us the boom Of the gun
died away Allie made her appearance
from the after companion and came over
to where / stood.
Good morning, DR.. Do Norman
ville.' she said. us calmly as if we were
greeting each other in Hyde park. "You
sec how anxious your government is to
have me in its keeping. Mr.. Patterson,
full steam ahead.
The chief officer touched his cap gave
the order, and then resumed his prom
enade, stopping now and again to ex-
anime the man of war through his glass.
"They're going to fire another gun,
and then if we don't attend to that they
will chase us, F" said Alie. who was also
closely scrutinizing her great opponents
movements.
She was correct in her prophecy, for
as she finished speaking another jet of
flame issued from the cruisers side, fol-
lowed by sullen roar. This time the
shot passed through our rigging, fortu-
nately, however, without doing any
damage, and next moment we could see
that she was under weigh. 1t was going
to be stern chase. and if they didn't
hull us before we got out of range we
knew it would be long one.
Seeing that we did not intend to
heave to- as she ordered, our antagonist
sent another shot after us, but this time
it fell altogether wide of the mark. Allie
called the third officer to her side.
Inquire from the engine room what
we're doing, Mr.. CANNED" she said.
The officer asked the necessary ques-
ton, and the answer came back. Eight
Gen..
'Tell them to give her every ounce of
steam she is capable Of carrying. We
must not allow our friend yonder to get
us within range again, or one Of those
chance shots may hull us. !"