The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-15
The Hero Of
The Talking Ropes.
A Story Of the Atlantio Cables
BY Percie W. Hart.
Observation-Disclosures

NO. = mas just gwen out, slr, one OF
them was reporting.
"Eh? WhatT CALCULATED the general
manager In startled accents. "You mean
No. ~"
"No, No. A."
'But l thought it was No. 2 that had
been working SO badly for the past two
days"
"Yes, and it Is getting worse every
minute. No. apparently was all right
until, without the slightest warning, 1t
stopped. Must have been cut clean
through by something. Murphy has only
begun testing, but he thinks the break
to be not far from the sore spot on No. 2.
in the neighborhood Of the Grand
Banks"
Another fishing schooner's anchor,
suppose. But, gracious, man, this leaves
the wounded No. 2 our only working line
across the Atlanticw
whats the matter with the shipT'
Something went wrong with her en-
gines before she could make the other
spices, and they had to run back to port.
Started away again yesterday and should
be repairing by now"
IF they cut No. 2 and go to splicing,
1t will leave us shut off the best part of
the night, just when the press matter is
rushing"
II know 1t, but, il possible, they were
to make q temporary patch, without in
reference"
pretty close shaving for us"
II should say so. The whole prestige
Of the company, not TO speak of such
things as the effect upon this years divi-
dends, depends upon the holding together
of that little battered place in No. 2 ca
ble."
"What shall we do?'
"Do2 Keep No. 2 humming, relays and
all. Put the whole battery room on, il
needs be. The Cablana has never failed
us yet. I'll stake the company's reputa-
ton on herv'
More than 1000 miles distant and well
out on the broad Atlantic an odd looking
steamship was tossing in the rough seas.
She was trim and neat like war vessel
Or yacht, as far as paint and rig were
concerned, but the resemblance extended
no further. The decks of this craft were
crowded with machinery, huge iron buoys
hung along the bulwarks, and she had
great pulley wheels fitted in projecting
structures at both bow and stern. This
was the Cabliana, the specially built and
equipped cable laying and repair ship Of
the great ocean telegraph company.
The weather was stormy and disagree
able and Captain Boylston's temper even
more so. To dawdle>away ten months in
port with everything ready for sea at
two hours notice and then break pro-
peller shaft short time after starting
was bad enough, but, added to this, here
were nearly all the cables needing to be
mended ut one and the same time. If the
quick tempered skipper had known that
the hitherto reliable No. had just fail
ed, there is no telling what might have
happened.
"Avast there, Murchison! II you have
not gumption enough to start that reel in
lively shape by this time, l don't want
you on my ship any longer. You're dis
grace to the company's service. Clear
out! Mister Martin, isn't there man on
board that knows his business?"
The captain hung on to the life lines
and frettcd and fumed, while the second
officer and quartermaster relieved the
offender at the deep sea lead. With
abashcd look and trembling lips the un-
lucky Murchson recklessly hurried for
ward.
"Ready, SIR" quickly announced Mr..
Martin.
"Then reel away" snapped the skip
per-
Down plunged the heavy weight into
the water, and the panofOrte wire upon
the big reel paid out like silvery streak
in the reflection Of the low drawing sun.
"One-hundred - and - eighty - two
fathoms, sir" called the leadsman in a
few moments.
whats that" calculated a young
man who had just emerged from deck
house, looking strangely out of place in
his derby hat and ordinary civilian at
tire. zone hundred and eighty-two? II
it's blue clay, I'll wager we're not so feet
from the bruise. Just at the end Of that
new piece we put in last year"
~ hope you are right, Mr.. Canon"
growled Captain Boylston, "but I'm
afraid we are not playing in such coed
luck ms all that. But, at any rate, it
must be near the spot. Mr.. Martin, have
the tackle cleared for u.s."
"Very good, sir" replied the second Of
ficer making his way forward.
Here! Stand clear! Let me look!'
cried the skipper as the lead came up.
Inserting his fingers into the grease
filled orifce at the bottom Of the deep
sea plunger, he brought out a lump Of
dripping mud.
"Blue clay it Is. You're right, I think,
Mr. Canon" said Captain Boylston in
pleased tones.
The electrician merely nodded his head
IN assent.
Lively with that grapnel!" shouted
the captain in excited accents.
The steamship by this time was taking
on an air of hustle and noisy prepara-
ton. The picking up machine made a
practice twlrl or so under the watthful
hand AID eye of its engineer. A bow
davit was carrying the big grapnel clear
OF the ships side, while gung was
busy making all ready for the convenient
paying out of the hundreds of fathoms
of chain and rope. Men were rushing
hither and thither in performance Of
their respective duties. Even the land
lubbers, such MS cooks and wardroom
walters, were lending a hand. Every
body was aglow with the excitement Of
the chase.
Everybody? Well, all except Murchi-
son. Angry-the uncharitable might
term 1t sulky-at the captains uncalled
for fault finding, the lad had slowed him
self awoy iIndar tho noon and now COVER