The Florence daily tribune., 1898-05-13

1t was left for Patterson to welcome tao
poor follows TO the yacht. and this no
accordingly did with hearty kid
ness that should hardly have expected
from him.
Before you tell me anything about
yourselves. he said, ''let mo arrange
for the comfort of your men, Then,
calling hand to him. he continued,
pointing to iho three Jacks who stood
shoepishly by: .sTakc these men forrard
and tell tho 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." Theu.
turning to tho officers again, he said,
Twill you I've SO good rs to follow mo,
gentlemen" and led tho way down tho
companion to tho cuddy. Thinking my
professional services might possibly DO
required, l followed with Walworth.
On reaching the cabin they wero con-
Quoted to seats, and food wns immedi.
ately set before them. They fell upon it
like starving men. and for some time
only the sound of steady mnnohing and
the chatter of knives and forks were to
DO 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.
Nov, said Patterson as soon MS tho
lieutenant had finished his meal, "pcr-
haps you will tell me your story?"
1T won't take long to do that" the
officer began. 81 am the first lieutenant
of her majesty's cruiser Asiatic. We
were sent ont from Singapore last Sat-
urday in pursuit of this very yacht, II
mistake not. As you know, we almost
picked you up in the fog. but when it
lifted your superior steaming power en-
ablod you to escape u.s. Then tho ty-
phoon caught us, 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
All unoharted rock and went down with.
in five minutes.
He stopped for moment and covered
his face with his hands,
"This is terrible news p cried Patter-
son, while we all gave utterance to cx-
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
mnjesty has lost fine vessel and u
splendid ships company In tho Asiatic "
When tho poor fellow had finished
his story, he was silent for some min
utes. Indeed, 80 were we all. 1t seemed
almost incredible that the great vessel
we bnd admired and feared only the day
before should now be lying. with tho
majority Of her crew. deep down at the
bottom of the ocean.
1--WE are fortunate in having boon
able to pick you up, said Patterson
after awhile. "An hour later and we
should have changed our course and
have been many miles away
I'm that case we should have been
dead men by nightfall," was the reply.
"As it was, we lost ono man."
How did it happen3'
1.-THE poor devil went mad and jump
ed overheard. Remember, we had no
water and nothing to eat, and 30 you
may imagine it was heartbreaking work
pulling in that baking sun. The miracle
to me is that the boy stood it Us well as
he did. y
Poor little ohapi 1t must have been
terrible experience for him."
And what do you intend doing with
usf" asked tho officer, after littlc
pause For, of course, we're your pris-
| oners. "
THAT cannot say" Patterson an
swered. at does not lie within my
province. However. you'll hear soon
enough-never 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
to all intents and purposes we are at
warl"
II will give you my word. Is that
enough?"
"Quite enough. And now that you
have done so l make you free of our
wardroom and it's contents
| ITO be contipuedl