The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-03-11
The Rule Of the Road.

The cargo steamer Ampnion was
drumming through the fog on Tiila-
nook Head on the Oregon coast. The
skipper was stamping back and forth
On the bridge, volubly imprecating
disenthornement on the weather god
Now and then he put his hand irreso-
tutely on the lever of the engine room
telegraph, which pointed, in spite OF
rules and regulations, to Full Speed =
Once or twice he addressed question
to the third officer The latter refused
TO commit himself Finally his supe-
rior glanced at the clock under the
hood, listened for an answer in the
night to the below of the siren, and
said 81 guess we'll let ner 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 to-
night. 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
ne stared into the blind haze that
hid from view the very wash from
the cutwater, and only grunted.
81 don't see why we shouldn't hit
her along" the skipper went on iras-
chilly. I'VE aren't more than good
thirty 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 1 keep her at full speed"
the mate asked.
"Well, wouldn't slow down yet
awhile. Maybe if it gets much thick
er, and l amt on the bridge, you bet
ter let her down to half speed. Just
tell the engineer to drop her couple
of revolutions"
The watch officer nodded. He had
served on several seas, and it was
no new thing in his experience for
conscientious captain to put mis- tele-
graph at half speed, or even dead
slow, and warn the engineers not to
obey too literally. t 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 perls marked on the chart rose
before him distinctly. But he under
stood quite well young masters anx-
iety to get into port on time, and
moreover ne told himself that If they
ran down anything it wasn't his fault.
So ne nodded again, and walked over
20 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.
1.-THE shippers keeping her going in
this fog" suggested the assistant en-
gineer.
Eyes, he wants to get in. It's pretty
thick weather to be steaming good
twelve"
bad coast, too," continued the as
sistant, flirting his lamp into the
CAdllplhS CCCCAlAlC VIGIL.
"It's always the way with young
sters," the chief responded acidly.
"They don't like TO lose time by rules
Petersen's all right, so he thinks, but
ne hasn't been on this coast as long
as have, or he wouldn't be driving
her in this muck. He's always throw
ing it up to me that amt the skipper.
so 1 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, eff anything happens, all
we've got to say is, 1t 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 his
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
Grips, half speed it is"
Then no talk from the deck goes,
sir?"
"Take your orders from the tele-
graph, when it's working" the chief
responded. "If It isn't working, then
che speaking tube will do"
An hour later the Amphion was still
beating away through the big. oily
seas, the fog streaming away from her
bows to swirl back and across the
yellow glare of the deck lights before
piling up in murky wall astern The
captain kept watch with his mate on
the bridge. The engine room telegraph
stood at full speed. Down below in
the engine room the third engineer
went quietly about his work. while
his chief stood on the working plat
form under the huge steam valve
smoking his pipe.
After his rounds. the assistant came
across and stood by the old mans side
"It's an awfully dirty night" he said