Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-02-25

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Watched aptdt aDas about to happen.
measurements were to be depended up
on, to permit our vessel to pass through.
One fact was self evident, and that was
that if we did get through we should be
saved.
81 am for chancing it," I said after
I had given the matter proper consider
alton.
"Then we will follow your advice"
said Alie. "We will try the passage"
every good" Patterson answered
quietly, and, having rolled up the chart,
he returned to the bridge.
After that for nearly half an hour we
raced on at full speed, the warships
coming after us as fast as their steaminR
capabilities would permit
Then our pace began somewhat to
abate, and, looking ahead, I could dis
tinguish in the gathering dusk what
looked like an pnbroken line of breakers
stretching AVA y for miles to port and
starboard, from far out in the open sea
almost to the ragged coast line on our
left. Our course had long since been al
tered, and now we were steering direct
" for the troubled water. The pace was
still terrific, but we were slowing down
perceptibly.
1--WE are close to the opening now,
said Allie, leading the way up on to the
bridge. IF we make mistake and
touch, we shall 90 to pieces in five min
utes. Let us therefore keep together,
husband mine"
We stood to windward of the binnacle
and watched what was about to happen.
The breakers were scarcely half d mile
ahead, the warships perhaps six miles
astern.
Then two men crawled into the
chains and set the leads going. The
second officer was sent forrard to REQ
onnoiter, and Patterson, dismissing the
steersman, took the wheel himself The
third officer was stationed at the tele-
graph.
Suddenly Patterson drew himself up,
spun the spokes with preliminary
twist to see that all was in working or
der, and then turned to his subordinate
at the telegraph.
"Stop herl" he cried.
The bell tinkled in the engine room
and answered on the bridge. The throb-
bing of the propeller ceased as if by
magic, and next moment we were only
moving forward by our own impetus.
Almost before one could think we were
among the breakers, but still going for.
ward. I glanced at Patterson out Of the
corner OF my eye. He was standing as
erect and passionless as marble statue,
looking straight before him. On both
sides the breakers dashed and roared,
the spray rising into our faces and fall
ing upon the decks like rain. There was
a slight grinding noise for second or
two, and then Patterson gave shout:
"Full steam ahead"
The bell answered like magic, and in
stantly the schooner shot forward. Next
moment we were through the reef in
smooth water and safe.
Looking behind us we could see that
the cruisers had stopped and turned.
They knew too we'll what the result
would be if they attempted to follow US.
An hour later large island hid us
from sight of the reef and our pursuers
But still, in the gathering gloom, we
steamed ahead as fast as our propellers
could drive us.
At O'Clock the gong sounded for
dinner, and after last look round we
went below to it. When we remembered
how hopeless it had appeared at the be-
ginning, it was difficult to believe that
we had emerged so safely from our awk-
ward scrape.
During the meal 1 could hardly eat
for looking at Allie and thinking Of all
the events which had occurred since
first I sat at that table with her. She
must have been thinking something Of
the same kind, for at the end Of dinner,
iust as we were about to 60 on deck, she
babe the steward charge our glasses and
proposed this toast:
"I drink to the Lone Star and those
who have saved US today"
We drank the toast with enthusiasm
and set our glasses down again. But
lust as we did so there was loud crash,
a trembling of the entire vessel, curl
GUS pause, and then another awful crash.
"We have struck something, cried,
springing to my feet Then, as if by in.
stinct, said, Run to your cabins and
get your shawls."
They did so, and by the time they
emerged again the hubbub was deafen-
ing. The sound Of rending and tearing
could only be described as awful Then
there was sudden and complete silence
which was almost worse than the noise.
We ran on deck and made our way as
fast as we could to the bridge.
"What has happened:" / cried to
Patterson, who was issuing orders as
fast as his tongue could utter them.