The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-10-04
THE RULE OF
THE ROAD -
WHAT THE DIAL TOLD
BY JOHN FLEnINo WILSON

skipper was tamping back and forth on
the bridge, volubly imprecating olsen
thronement on the weather god. Now
and then he put his hand irresolutely on
the lever OF the engine room telegraph.
which pointed. In spite Of rules and reg
ulations, to Full Speed" Once or twice
he addressed a question to the thiro
officer. The latter refused to commit
himself Finally his superior glanced at
the clock under the hood, listened for
an answer In the night to the below OF
the siren, and said: Il guess we'll let
her go. IL 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.
"T don't see why we shouldn't hit her
along" the skipper went on. irascibly
I'VE aren't more than good 30 from the
light, and when we get OF there we can
slow down and crawl In by daylight
amt q coward to lay her to when there's
no need"
"Shall keep her at full speedl" the
mate asked.
well. I wouldn't slow down ye'
awhile. Maybe II II gets much thicker
and I amt on the bridge. you better LEI
her down to half speed. Just tell the en-
gineer to drop her a couple OF revolu
tions."
The watch officer nodded. He had
served on several seas. and It was NJ
new thing In his experience for con
scientious captain to put his telegraph
at half speed. or even dead slow, an'
warn the engineers not to obey too lit
orally. II can't be done any more, TO
the new telegraph marks revolution
and must tally with the indicator on tn
engines. The mate did not like the lool
Of the night, and the perils marked OF
the chart rose before him distinctly
, But he understood quite well a youni
masters anxiety to get into port ol
time. and moreover he told himself tha
n they ran down anything it wasn't hi
fault So he nodded again and wake
over to the speaking tube.
The chief engineer answered hin
from the working platform. "Captail
i says when he rings to slow to half speed
Just to drop her a couple" came tn
drawing voice of the third mate.
The chief looked up at the dial wher
the indicator pointed steadily at ful
speed ahead. "All right" he replied.
THE skipper's keeping her going 4
this fog" suggested the assistant en-
gineer.
4 Yes. he wants to get in. It's prett
thick weather to be steaming a goo
II"
| bad coast. too" continued the assist
ant. flirting his lamp into the champin
eccentric well.
Its always the way with youngsters,
the chief responded. acidly. They don
like to lose time by rules. Petersen
all right, so he thinks. but he hasn
been on this coast as long as have. {
he wouldn't be driving her in this mucl
He's always throwing II up to me thi
l aint the skipper. so reckon I'll MAX
no fuss If he is trying to hit the Amphio
through contrary to rules"
"well." said the other. glancing u
at the dial. ''if anything happens. a
we've got to say Is: II was orders froi
the bridge. That telegraph won't II
Shall I ease her only a couple when
signals half speed?"
The gray-haired engineer put his har
on his subordinate's shoulder. His volt
rose above the whirr ofthe dynamo ar
the clank of the main pump. THAT ism
ORDERS" he said. "Our orders are {
} that dial there. II that says half spec
/ by Jimmy Cripps. half speed it is
"Then no talk from the deck goe
sir?"
Take your orders from the telegrap
when it's working" the chief responde
''If It isn't working then the speakin
tub will do"
: An hour later the Amphion was st
I beating away through the big. oily sea
the fog streaming away from her bo,
. to swirl back and across the yellow gla
Of the deck lights before piling up in
murky wall astern. The captain Ike
Y watch with his mate on the bridge. T
: engine-roon telegraph stood at (,
= speed. Down below in the engineered
:, the third engineer went quietly abo
his work. while his chief stood on {
working platform under the huge stes
> valve. smoking his pipe.
: After his rounds. the assistant car
Q across and stood by the old mans si'
"It's an awfully dirty night" he sa
'In the stoke-room you can see the (
pouring down the ventilators like stea
Strikes me the shipper is running
Z risks"
u "Yes. he's reckless tonight. I'm pr
II ty well used to young chaps with h,
headed notions. but the older I gr,
the less like the captain who boasts
port that he never went half spe
Sooner or later he gets lesson. Son
). times the engine-room pays for IL. Mo
a ly. might say"
I. The younger resumed his rour
through the machinery. his light had
lie a bearing. a swift touch on a driving r
1t a squint at an oil cup. a turn on a val
sr The swerving bedplates. the thunder
DR. cylinders far above. the clacking pun
the whirring shaft sang about him as
went Suddenly the steady roar of
Of huge engines was dulled. The ha
in pressed thrust blocks ceased their sh
cry. The plunging piston rods SLOW