Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-28

power engine could shove her along at
about speed of four knots. Although the
order of General Beaureguard that she
should not be submerged again had ma
| terially diminished the risk which expert
ence had shown was overwhelming, yet
| the proposed expedition was nevertheless
hazardous n the extreme.
In the first place, excellent lookout
was kept on the Union ships on account of
| the several attempts which had been made
| against them by similar boats. If she were
discovered, one shot striking the boat as
she approached, even a rifle shot would
| suffice to sink her No one knew what she
would do even if she succeeded in explod-
| ing the torpedo. 1t was scarcely hoped
| that she could get away from a sinking
| ship in that event.
! The little party of soldiers grouped on
the wharf bade goodbye to the men who
| entered the deadly affair as if they were
saying farewell to those about to die
Every preparation had been made, the ar
tillery officer had finally and carefully in
| spected the torpedo to see that it was in
good working order, the men had descend
ed into the cramped narrow little hull of
| the boat and had made ready to start the
propeller None of them Wore any super
fiuous clothing for it was oppressively
hot in the confined area of the little iron
shell, and they might have to swim for
their lives anyway-perhaps they would
be lucky II they got the chance In short
everybody was ready and everyone was
there except the commander of the expe-
dition.
Great secrecy has been observed in the
preparations lest there might be a spy in
the town, who learning of the ATTEMPT
would communicate the valuable iuforma-
ton to the federal fleet and so Illustrate it.
Gen. Beauregard had caused the wharf to
be cleared and guarded early in the even
ing. 1t was quite dark in February at 6
O clock and no one except his trusted staff
officers and Lacy, who had so ma ganimous-
ly surrendered his opportunity to Semp-
land We're present. At quarter before
SEVEN which the time Sempland had
appointed to return when he left in obedi-
ence to Fanny GlenS summons, the gen
eral began TO feel some uneasiness He
spoke about it to Lacy, but was treasured
by that gentleman who professed full con-
fidence that the young lieutenant would
undoubtedly be there in few moments,
He had already of his own motion dis
patched a soldier to Fanny Glen's house
a. had learned from him the false news
that Sempland had been there and had left.
Lacy supposed he had returned to his
quarters
The state of the tide, the necessities of
the blockade runners who hoped to escape
that night under cover of the confusion
caused by the attack rendered it absolute
ly necessary that there should be no DELAY
III the departure of the torpedo boat The
time had been set for o'clock, as late as
practicable, in order to give all the ad-
vantage of settled darkness before the
| blow was delivered The party on the
wharf waited apprehensively little longer
| cOnNerSlnB III low tones as the
ments ran away, and there was great anx-
iety as to the whereabouts OF the missing
officer. Seven O'Clock struck from the an
| cient church steeple hard by, still he did
| not appear
General said Lacy a few moments
| later, IF l might suggest sir"
Go on. What is it?'
| ut might be we'll to send for him"
| "NeverI' said the general shortly sit IS
| a soldiers duty to be at the place appointed
| him at the specified time. l shall not send
| for him. II he has forgotten himself his
duty. for any cause. he shall suffer the
| Consequences
| Lacy was in despair. He could not I'M
| derstand the situation. He had not the
| slightest doubt of Semplands courage. He
| knew his friends rigid idea of soldiery
| duty or honor. Where had he gone? If
| there had been any way he would have dis
| pa tched men to hunt for him in every direc
! ton, but the generals prohibition was posi-
| tive. And for some reason which he could
| not explain he refrained from saying any
] thing about Sempland's visit to Fanny
| Glen, merely advising the general, in re-
| Spouse to inquiry, that he had left him
! to go to his quarters to write a letter.
| Five minutes more dragged along.
| General Beauregard" said Lacy at last,
| with your permission 1 will seek him
| myself
mo-" said the general sternly, I'VE can
walt no longer. need you for something
] elae-n