The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-10-04

tice Of the Italians to keep a feet Of
heavily laden coal barges in bend of
the river above the town, bringing
them down one by one to the coal
yards at ''the point below the city as
they were needed. One day in the ear
~ winter, coal gauger being of duty,
Duncan volunteered to go up to the
bend in his stead and measure the coal
In great feet of barges that had just
arrived.
He found the barges unsafely be-
slowed and suggested to the captain of
the Hallam yard tugboat that he
should tow them into a securer anchor
age. AS night was at hand, the captain
Of the tug refused, saying that he
would attend to the matter on the NOR
row.
That night the first storm of the win
ter broke upon the river, flashing it to
fury and threatening with destruction
every species of craft that might ven
ture away from moorings.
About midnight one of Duncan's bed
room windows was blown in, scatter
ing glass and fragments Of sash over
his bed and startling him out of sleep.
Instantly the thought of the exposed
coal barges flashed into his mind. He
knew that they were utterly unfit to
ride out a storm, being nothing more
than great oblong boxes loaded nearly
to their gunwales with coal. He re-
membered, too, the exposed position in
which they had been left for the night
Hastily drawing on his clothing, he
hurried to the landing place of the
yard tug. He found no preparations
making there for any attempt to save
the barges and their enormously rich
cargoes or even to rescue the helpless
men who had been left on board of
them. The engineer of the tug, who
always slept on board, was there, and
SO We're the two deck hands and the
fireman, but the fires were banked,
and the captain had not responded to
the duty call of the tempest.
AS the immediate representative and
chief lieutenant Of Captain Hallam,
Guilford Duncan was recognized as q
man somewhat entitled to give orders.
On this occasion he promptly assumed
so much more of authority as did not
strictly belong to him.
He instantly ordered the engineer to
get up steam. He directed one Of the
two deck hands to go hurriedly to the
tug captains bedroom and order him
to come to the tug at once
AS he ratified off his orders for put
ting cable coils aboard, placing all
tenders in position, battening down the
matches and doing all else that might
render the tug filter for the perilous
service that he intended to exact Of
her, his voice took on the old ring Of
battle, and his commands came quick,
sharp and penetrating from his set
lips, like those Of an officer placing
guns in position for desperate fight.
The captain, who was also sole pilot
OF the tug, so far obeyed the order sent
to him as to come to the tug landing.
But when he looked out upon the
storm dashed river he positively refus-
ed to obey Duncan's order to go to the
wheel.
It'll never take the tug out in such
storm as this,' he said doggedly.
"But think, man! There are twenty
men or more up there on those coal
barges whose lives simply must be saw
ed. And there is a hundred thousand
dollars worth Of coal there that may
go to the bottom any minute"
Il can't help that. I tell you the tug
couldn't 1.-Two IN ~
storm"
In other Words" answered Duncan,
with measureless contempt in his tone.
you are a miserable coward, a white
1vered wretch, whose life wouldn't be
worth saving if it were in danger. Go
back to your bed"
Then, turning to the engineer and
the two deck hands, he asked hoarsely:
"Wil you men stand to your duty
while I go to the wheel?"
Were with you while she floats.
capn," said the engineer. II always
did hate coward"
'Have you got steam enough?"
''Yes, 100 pounds pressure to the
square inch, and she'll need it ALL"
"All right. Cast her off," commanded
Duncan as he stepped to his post in
the pilot house.
He knew, Of course, that he was TAX
Ing terrible risks. Having no pilots
license, he had no legal right to be at
the wheel. Should disaster overtake
the tug he would be personally liable
for the insurance forfeited by his act
IN taking her out in contravention of
the judgment of her captain and pilot.
Worse still, should any life be lost in
the adventure Guilford Duncan would
be held to answer for manslaughter.
Well educated lawyer that he was.
he knew all these facts. He perfectly
understood the fearful responsibilities
he was taking upon himself, vet he fall
tered not nor failed. There was no mo-
ments hesitation in his mind. There
were lives in peril up there in the bend
and a vast property exposed to de-
struction. There was chance that by
taking these risks he might save both.
All that Is best in the soul impulse of
the soldier was his inspiration He