The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-01-15


the very last moment had entertained
a vague innerly hope that his wife OF
parents would offer some strenuous op-
position to his re-serving, some opposi-
ton to which he could honorably bow
the head. To their Godspeed he had
to join his ship.
AS now he sat, clutching the eddie
tight, he admitted mentally, a certain
secret gladness at his being sent into
sickbay ashore. While aboard the flag
ship the spectacle of tattered, CORY, liv-
ing things, once sturdy seamen, had re-
vived all his inveterate adherence of
suffering. His moral courage, too, had
suffered defeat from the sudden attack
of his malady-the growth of an inter
nal tumor developed by his exposure
to wet and cold when on mine-feld
duty in Hampton Roads. Surgeons
had differed in diagnosis, so the ad-
miral, knowing his capabilities for
handling men, had dispatched him for
urgent treatment.
AS now he sat, gripping the fiddle"
to keep his balance, the sudden piping
of boatsWain's whistles, the indistinct
scampering of naked feet overhead, the
deepening throb and thud of quickened
machinery took his attention. With
curse at his infirmities of mind and
body he switched off the light, stag
gered to the ladder, and slowly clam
/ bered on deck. AS he drew his legs
out of the companion, the boat made
a steep dip; hastily banging to the
hatch, Durey grabbed a lifeline and
stared about him.
The night was heavy with the men
ace of storm. Though a myriad stars
cleaned ahead, the horizon to wind
ward was obscured with clouds. The
strong headwind blew wet and sharp
with spray that stung the lieutenant's
throat and nostrils like fine salt. With
start of surprise he saw the men were
standing by at quarters, and amidships
torpedo gear was being rapidly adjust
ed abeam. Gulping down an exclama-
tion-was it of fear or amazement-he
staggered forward to the bridge.
AS he climbed the ladder a swirling
bunch OF sea meeting the port bow
splasned over the forecastle and bridge
weather cloths. Contact with the chill
ly gouts of spray restored Dureys self
control. The drenched sub. was clear
ing his eyes when he observed him.
Hello, sir" cried he, in voice
charged with excitement, would we
not be better below She's THROWN a
lot of water aft. Bridges like mill
sluice-"
mo good drivin' her, reckon. She's
losin' more than she's maxim over Is
knots Durey grunted. "Why are
the"
tits cut an run. Look there!" in
terrupted the sub, handing his binoc-
ulars, and shooting an arm west-by-
south. -Four big boats. Overhaulins
us, guess, too. Well fight, though, it
it comes to that. Sorry didn't report,
sir. I was wait'eg till there's more
certainty about them"
Durey steadied himself and took
long look at the distant strangers
heading down on their port quarter.
They're none of ours. What arethey
doing there? just reckon the leading
boats smart thing, an II take some
lickin'," he snapped out, quick as his
heart was beating.
The acting lieutenant nodded en-
phatically.
That's my way of thinkin," he
screeched against the furry of wind
"The look | got before that streak of
cloud came up, gave them away Guess
the Alliance have run out a flynn
squadron also. Keen lookouts they
must have. They've sighted us. They
shifted nine points to the west'a ard and
put on speed. Looks as if they know
something about u.s.
They've taken the pass as we
cleared the Caicos. Running for San
tiago and the transports" cried Durey,
and snatched the binocular out of the
lieutenant's hands.
AS he stared at the enemy, envy.
vehement and despicable, swept into
him, for we'll he knew the Speedy's
commander was cool and collected,
while it was himself who was growing
Hurried and painfully apprehensive.
Was he a coward physically as well
as morally, he asked himself, and in
stantly was eating his heart in bit
terness at his Unborn pusilanimity.
He was moving to the blnnacle when
sharp cry broke from the acting lieu
tenant.
by the Powers, they've opened fire."
And the smothered report almost
overwhelmed his voice. There was a
volcanic eruption of red-hot splinters
and sparks amidships as the nigh