The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-05-28

sent down into the engine room to act
as a tonic on the assistant and his fire.
men. About this time the mate began
70 act queerly and he was hurried into
the corner with the other prisoner and
Sir George detailed to guard them. The
Hon. Blackman took his place before
the quarters of the deck hands. and
then. by Colonel Joslyn'S directions, the
rest of the armed men got such cover
as they could and opened fire on the
robbers who were skulking along the
bank. 1t was not prize target shooting,
but it drove the fellows back and less
ened their fire. 1t did not take fifteen
minutes to fix the engines. and when
they were pronounced all right there
was steam enough in the boiler to 60
ahead with.
But they were not to get out OF Il 80
easily The thieves ashore saw how
things were progressing, and they sud
denly ceased their attack and ran to
a fiatboat lying against the bank above
the village. A full score OF them jumped
in and cast Off. II they reached tina
steamer they were strong enough to
carry her by boarding. There were
calls for the crew TO get up the anchor,
and calls for the captain to take the
pilot house. but neither was responded
to. The crew sulked in their quarters
and the captain trembled in the cabin.
II
cue. With a hammer he knocked the
shackle pin out OF. the chain and let thu
anchor go, and then going to the pilot
house he took the wheel. Bullets fairly
rained about him, driving all others to
cover, but he was not hit.
When the fiatboat was sti1l nifty feet
away the steamer began to move. The
robbers had planned TO grasp her an
Choir chain and swing alongside, and as
she headed away from them they rent
the air with their fierce sarcasms and
concentrated their fire on the man In
the pilot house. Colonel Joslyn hid from
view, but 1t was only for moment As
soon as the fiatboat had drifted past he
not only got up, but he called to Sir
George, the Honorable the Marquis and
all others who could come. In fifty
words he told them his plan. Two min
utes later the steamer was describing .
circle When she had -complsted
it, she was headed for the robbers,
craft They fired and shouted and used
their oars. but she came driving along
and struck the hatboat on her port
quarter and tore her stern away. Az
she struck there was a fusfllade from
the cabin windows Looking back In
the steamers wake, the passengers
could not discover a single swimmer
1t was complete humiliation. When
he realized this the captain regained
his courage. the mate stopped sulkinx
and the engineer begged to be sent
about his duties. II there had been a
conspiracy 1t was no longer to be
feared.
After Colonel Joslyn had turned over
the command. and things were running
smoothly, the ring sent for him. The
circle opened to let him in as he ar
rived. He was perspiring and he was
griny. He was coatless and hatless
and his hair was IN a tangle. Sir
George cleared his throat and looked
half ashamed as he began:
Colonel Joslyn. 1t may have occurred
to you that-that-that this family
party. as it were. has not made any
great effort toto
"Siri" interrupted the colonel. as he
drew himself up. ARE you addressing
me?"
Now. then. my dear fellow. YOU
know-you see-this company de-
sires-
When / desire your company I will
give you due notice." continued the
colonel. and looking over the heads Of
the entire party. he marched Off to his
stateroom to remove the stains OF bat
tie.
For Gawd's sake." whispered Sir
George. as he looked after him. and
then his companions looked at each
other In blank astonishment and swaI-
lowed hard at the bitter pin