Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-03-30

you sent tor me, STRIP
building in quest of his friend that the
general with two aids and others of his
staff had assembled in the office of Colo
mel Strain. Several of them had known
and sailed with the Idaho's master and
liked her captain we'll, despite his fire.
quent filings at soldiers. His appearance
at the doorway, therefore, was the sig
nal for quite cordial welcome. The
general himself came forward to take
him by the hand and say how sorry he
was at the loss of his ship and how he
hoped soon to see him on the decks of a
bigger and better one. But the bluff
captain thought as little of land gen
erals as of lubbers of lower grade. and
was not as grateful as he should per-
haps have been, and was evidently
looking for something beyond the sym
pathetic group, and presently said so
I've come to see Mr. Loring by
George! haven't laid eyes on him
since the night he backed me up in re-
storing order aud discipline ON my
ship. That man ought to have been q
sailor Where'll find him?" he con-
Guided, abruptly, staring round at the
circle of somewhat embarrassed faces.
eve heard some rumor about this
captain, said the general Suppose
you como into my office and tell me the
whole story?"
why not right here, where they
can all hear?" was the instant answer
"I'm told that more'n one man has
been at work trying to rob him of the
credit, and as for Mr.. Jennings, who
was our first officer, gave the company
piece of my mind the moment heard
it, and I've got tongue flashing in
store for him. "Tain't the first I've had
to give him, either, and it won't be the
last if he ever runs foul of me again
They tell me, what's more that Esca-
lante's agent has had the impudence to
come here a dozen times threatening
Mr.. Loring. Next time he comes you
have him kicked out and charge it to
me. That mans thief, and SO is one
of the Escalantes-if not more than
one AS for Loring he's head and
shoulders above any of the young fell
lows that have sailed with me, and
when was fattened out by the rush of
that cowardly gang he stood up to 'em
like man. That one shot of his
brought 'em up with jerk and put an
end to the trouble. y
He broke off short and glanced about
him to note the effect of his words. It
was an awkward moment. Three of the
group had had their doubts as to the
possibility of Loring's being culpable
but SO disturbed and partially convinced
had been the general and his chief of
staff, so active had been the aid -de-cam
referred to in his collection and dissem-
ination of scandal at Loring's expense
that no one felt able to say anything
until the general himself had spoken
The chief evidently felt his dignity as
sailed and his commanding attitude i'm
periled. No further revelations ought
to be allowed except such az should be
filtered through him or his accredited
staff officer.
Come into my den, captain, - he ex-
claimed. therefore. "You interest me
greatly. and want to hear all about
1 it.
''I'll come quick enough" said the
captain briefly, latter I've seen Loring.
want to shake hands with him, l say,
before do anything else. Where'll 1
find him?" And with most depressing
disregard of the general IS greatness, the
sailor would have turned his back on
the entire party in order to find his in
jured friend, but the chief was a strate-
gist.
"Ah, go to Mr.. Loring, captain, .
said he to ready staff officer, "and say
to him that desire he should come to
my room moment" And the abide
camp was off like shot, so the seaman
could only wait The general led the
way into his comfortable room and sig
nailed to one or two to follow, and pres
emily back came his messenger and a
moment after him-grave, composed.
but freezingly formal-there at the door
stood the engineer. His eyes frightened
up the instant he laid them on the
ldaho's sturdy commander. but etiquette
demanded that he should first address
the general.
"You sent for me, sir?''
II did, Mr.. Loring. Our good friend,
Captain Moreland, has been telling us of
your praiseworthy conduct
the night of the disaster We all, wish
to assure You, are-er-gratified to hear
of this And now it has occurred to me
that Captain Moreland might be able to
throw some light on the very unpleas-
ant matter which wa had RI hiring to
your attention few weeks since. Sure
" he must know something Of these