The National tribune., 1903-07-23

Sun IHE NAVY, AND ESCAPED CONNlCIS.'
face lighted up, for she had stopped NOV
| ing.
''She has touched on sandbank mile
or more from the nearest point" he has
tened to communicate to his partner, .'and
she has stopped there. She has not struck
hard, because she was going too slow.
guess you can get her off all right when
you get steam up. Well hope so. But
they're all gathering on the shore waiting
| for her. l can see 100 of them at least.
and mere coming. And if that aint old
Billings in the center in the uniform of
rebel officer. directing them and egging
them on, I'll never put sugar in my coffee
again."
The wreckers on shore were studying the
vessel through glasses, and presently, from
| their actions. and the way they were point
ing it could be told that they had dscov-
! cred that she had struck on sandbar, and
stopped her inward drift.
! The discovery created an obvious excite
ment on shore, especially as the dense
smeke began to rise from the chimney, and
Billings could be seen pointing and direct
ing those around him. A couple of
mounted men Obeying his directions
started inland as fast as their shabby
horses could get over the sand.
| Looking still more troubled, the First
Mate called up the Engineer. and they
| went over 10 eAdHilUe lue lOHS DOdt, WHICH
| was in the best condition of any of the
boats. The Engineer sent Sandy down for
| some oakum and caulking tools to hur-
riedly stop up the worst cracks in her bot
tom, and began getting the lowering gear
in order. The First mate called together
DR.. Brookes. the Deacon, 81 and Shorty
for consultation.
| "The boat is stuck here on sandbar
and will stay here until we can get up
| taoy nh nd 10 10 D.
get her off then," he said with the calm.
sententiousness of man who has no time
to lose. "Those scoundrels on shore there
propose to attack us-probably they intend
to burn her. l think that is the scheme
We are having the only boat that can be
made to float put in shape to take the
ladies away. 1t will hold all of them, and
two men to row the boat to Il place of
safety, where they can attract the notice
ready We want DR.. Brookes and Mr..
Klegg to take the women and row away
| as far as possible with them. The scoun-
drels may find boats some place to pursue,
so We want to get them started as soon as
possible. DR.. Brookes and Mr.. Klegg
will you get the ladies into the boat as
soon as it is lowered?'
| The men listened to him with such quiet.
intent faces, that the ladies who had all
|
| that something of unusual Importance was
| going on, and gathered near to listen.
DIR. BrOokes was the first to speak.
| "As / am the senior officer on this boat.
it is ny duty to stay with her to the last
and abide what comes," he said with quiet
earnestness, ''and l shall do so Select
another man to take my place and row the
boat"
| Arthur Mrs. Brookes gasped at first
in remonstrance, but checked herself with
an impulse of admiration for his quiet
heroism. - "
The Deacon pulled his tobacco from his
pocket, opened his knife. cut off, deliber-
ate chew, which he placed in his mouth,
and then said as calmly as if pronouncing
decision to go into the cornfeld, Il aint
much good in the boat, nohow, and am too
old to learn. l never believed that would
die until my time come, and if it's to come
on this deck, it's to come, that's all. I'll
stay here" =.
"Sergeants," said the First Mate, look
ing toward 81 and Shorty, you're not
strong enough to do anything in the scrap
when those fellows try to come aboard.
I ask it as a personal favor to me that
/ you get into the boat and row these ladies'
away to where you can catch vesSel.'
| Order some of your roustabouts to row
the boat away" said 81, with brief asperi-
ty. Were not subject to your orders"
"Who wants to be rowed away?" asked
Maria, with naughty contempt. "Who's
asked to be taken away to a place &c
safety? None of us women, I'm sure
Wen stay right here and share the dam
ger with you, whatever it may be. That's
our place."
Annabeps face was very white, but she
stood firmly by her sister-in-law, and
nodded her head in approval.
YES" said Mrs. Brookes, with toss
| of her head and her old-time hautiness,
when we want to leave this boat we'll
ask some gentleman to take us rowing,
and 1 know they will be glad to render
the ladies that service. At present we'll
remain where we are"
WELL" said the First Mate, "we're in
for it. Our only hope is in standing them
off, whatever they may try to do, until
Sam Lefferts can get up steam. He's feed
ing his furnaces now with hams and lard
and doing all he can. Sergeants. get all
the men that are able to stand up, sta
ton them about the vessel where they can