Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-10-07
THE RULE OF THE ROAD R WHAT THE DIAL TOLD
By JOHN FLEMING WILSON

" HE cargo steamer Amphion was l \ drumming through the fog of Til-- Iamook Head on the Oregon coast. The skipper was tanping back and forth on the bridge, volubly inprecattng disen- thronement on the weather god. Now and then he put his hand irresolutely on l the lever of the enx1As reem telegraph. which pointed. in spite of rules and reg ulations, to Full Speed" Once or twice l he addressed a question to the third oficer. The latter refused to commit l himself Finally his superior glanced at | the clock under the hood; listened for l an answer in the night to the below of the siren, and said: ..I guess we'll let I her go If ws can keep tip the gait we can make Astoria by the nAorning tide, l and there's no shipping to be afraid of tonight. HaR speeds all right for the lower coast, but up here there's no need I of losing time tAat 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 l s'I4don't see why we shouldn't hit her along the skipper went on, irascibly. 'sWe aren't more than good 30 from the light, and when we get of there we can slow down and crawl in by daylight ain't q coward to lay her to when there's no need.n
 Shall I keep her at full speed!" the mate asked.
 Well, I wouldn't slow down yet l awhile. Maybe if 1t gets much thicker and I ain t oh the bridge, you betteflet 1 Ter down to half speed. Just tell the er ! l gineer to drop her . couple of revclu- tions."
 I The watch officer nodded. He had I served on several seas, and 1t was no l new thing in his experience for . con- l scientious captain to put his telegraph ! ct half speed, or even dead slow, and I warn the engineers not to obey too lit- erally It can't be done any more, for l 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 l the chart rose bsfcre him distinctly But he uAderatoed quite well a young ! masters anxiety to get into port on time, and moreover he told himself that i If they ran down anything 1t wasn't his fault So he nodded again and walked over to the speaking tube.
 The chief engineer answered him I from the working platform. Captain says when he rings to slow to half speed. just to drop her couple" came tho I drawling voice of the third mate.
 The chief leoked up at the dial where the indicator pointed steadily at full speed ahead. Ali right" he replied
 ''The shippers Keeping her going in this fog" suggested the assistant en- gineer.
 'Yes, he wants to get in. It's pretty thick weather to be steaming good 12."
 Bad coast, too" continued the assist ant, flirting his lamp into the champing eccentric well.
 ''It's always the way with youngsters 2 the chief responded, acidly. They don t T like to lose time by rules. Petersen g all right, so he thinks, but he hash t been on this coast as long as have, CT he wouldn't be driving her in this muck. He's always throwing 1t up to mo that aint the skipper, 50 reckon I'll make no fuss if he Is trying to hit the Amphion through contrary to rules"
 Well" said the other, glancing up at the dial, If anything happens, all we've got to say Is: It was orders from the bridge. That telegraph won't lie. Shall ease her only a couple when he signals half speed?"
 The gray-haired engineer put lis hand on his subordinate's shoulder. His voice rose above the whirr of the dynamo and the clank of the main pump. "That isn't orders. he said Our orders are on that dial there If that says half speed by Jimmy Cripps. half speed it is.''
 Then no talk from the deck goes sir?"
 .'Take your orders from the telegraph when it's working" the chief responded. If it isn't working then the speaking tub will do."
 An hour later the Amphion was still beating away through the big, oily sssA the fog streaming away from her bows to swirl back ana acrsss tho ysliow glare of the deck lights before riling up in . murky wall astsrn. The captain kept watch with his mate on tho bridge. The engine-roon telegraph stood at full speed Down below in the ensfne-roon, the third engineer went quietly about his work. while his chief stood on tho working platform under the huge steam valve. smoking his pipe.
 After his rounds the assistant came across and stood by the old mans side sIt's an awfully dirty night" he ssid