Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-11-24
THE RULEoF
THE ROAD -
WHAT THE DIAL TOLD
BY JOHN FLEMING WILSON

drumming through the fog OF Til
lamook Head on the Oregon coast. Tn
skipper was tamping back and forth Of
the bridge, volubly imprecating Olsen
thronement on the weather god. Nov
and then he put his hand irresolutely OF
the lever of the engine room telegraph
which pointed, in spite ofrules and reg
ulations, to Full Speed" Once or twicI
he addressed question to the thirt
officer. The latter refused to commit
himself. Finally his superior glanced al
the clock under the hood, listened fo'
an answer in the night to the below Of
the siren, and said: II guess we'll let
her go. II we can keep up the gait we
can make Astoria by the morning tide,
and there's no shipping to be afraid of
tonight. Half speeds all right for the
lower coast, but up here there's no need
Of losing time that way"
From the note of indecision in the
captains voice, the third mate thought
that encouragement was wanted. But
he stared into the blind haze that hid
from view the very wash from the cut
water, and only grunted.
II don't see why we shouldn't hit her
along" the skipper went on, irascibly.
1--WE aren't more than good 80 from the
light, and when we get off there we can
slow down and crawl In by daylight l
amt coward to lay her to when there's
no need"
"shall keep her at full speed!" the
mate asked.
well, wouldn't slow down yet
awhile. Maybe II It gets much thicker,
and amt on the bridge, you better let
her down to half speed. Just tell the en-
gineer to drop her a couple Of revolu-
TONS"
The watch officer nodded. He had
served on several seas, and 1t was no
new thing in his experience for con-
scientious captain to put his telegraph
at half speed, or even dead slow, and
warn the engineers not to obey too lit
orally. It can't be done any more, for
the new telegraph. marks revolutions
and must tally with the indicator on the |
engines. The mate did not like the look |
of the night, and the perils marked on
the chart rose before him distinctly.
But he understood quite well young
masters anxiety to get into port on
time, and moreover he told himself that
II they ran down anythingit wasn't his
fault; So he nodded again and walked
over to the speaking tube.
The chief engineer answered him
from the working platform. Captain
says when he rings to slow to half speed,
just to drop her couple" came the
drawing voice of the third mate.
The chief looked up at the dial where
the indicator pointed steadily at full
speed ahead. "All right" he replied.
"The shippers keeping her going in
This fog" suggested the assistant en-.
yineer. .-.-...
Eyes. he wants to get in. It's pretty
hick weather to be steaming good +,
O."
bad coast, too" continued the assist
mt, flirting his lamp into the champing {
eccentric well.
TITS always the way with youngsters" I
he chief responded, acidly. "They don't
Ike to lose time by rules. Petersen's !
IL right, so he thinks, but he hasn't
cen on this coast as long as have, or I
e wouldn't be driving her in this muck.
les always throwing 1t up to me that
amt the Skipper, so reckon I'll make =
o fuss If he is trying to hit the Amphion t
trough contrary to rules" d
"Well" said the other, glancing up 8
t the dial, III anything happens, all s
eve got to say is: 1t was orders from u
lie bridge. That telegraph won't lie. v
hall ease her only couple when he q
gnals half speed" Il
The gray-haired engineer put his hand b
! his subordinate's shoulder. His voice II
Use above the whirr Of the dynamo and +
70 clank Of the main pump. THAT isn't v
'ders," he said "Our orders are on I'll
at dial there. II that says half speed,
: Jimmy Grips, half speed It is." q
Then no talk from the deck goes.
r"
Take your orders from the telegraph, al
hen it's working" the chief responded. ID
1t isn't working then the speaking tn
b will do" to
An hour later the Amphion was still hi
ating away through the big, oily seas. m