The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1906-01-04

II Fsk cargo steamer AmpDlOh WH1
drumming through the fog on TIL
lamook Head on the Dragon co-st. The
skipper was tamping hack and forth en-
the bridge, yolubly imprecating d.en-
thronement on the weather god. No~
and then he put his hand .rrssolutely on
the lever Of the engine room telegraph.
which pointed. In spite OF Jules and reg
ulations 20 Full S.,eed." Once Vt twice
he addressed question to the thru
officer The latter resused to commit
himself Finally his sups Tor glanced at
the clock under the hood, iis'~ned Tor
an answer In the night to the below OF
the siren, and said: 81 guess we'll let
her go. II re can keep ui 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 indecislon 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.
Il don't see why we shouldn't hit her
along" the skipper went on. irascibly.
I'VE aren't more than cord 30 from the
light. and when we get of there we can
slow down and crawl I'M by daylight I
amt coward to lay her TO when there's
no need"
shall I keep her at full speed7" the
mate asked.
well, wouldn't slow down yet
awhile. Maybe II II gets much thicker.
and Amt on the bridge. you better let
her down to half speed Just tell the en-
gincer TO drop her couple OF revolu-
lions"
The watch officer nodded. He had
= served on several seas, and II was no
new thing In his experience for con-
scientious captain to put his telegraph
at half speed. or even dead slow, and
warn the err gineers not to obey too lit
orally. 10 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 peris marked on
the chart rose before him distinctly.
But he undeisto quite we'll young
masters anxiety 10 get into port on
time. and moreover he told himself that
II they ran down ans thing II wasn't his
fault So he nodded again and walked
ever to the speaking tube.
The chief engineer answered him
from the working platform Captain
says when he rings to slow tn half speed,
Just TO drop her a 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.
The shippers keeping her going in
this fpg.' suggested the assistant ep-
GIN IT.
IS. he wants to get in. IT'S pretty
thick weather TO be steaming good
i2"
bad coast. too" continued the assist-
ant. flirting his lamp into the champing
eccentric we'll
ITS always the way with youngsters, +"
tn, -hief responded, acidly. They don't
like to lose tine by rules. Petersen's
all right, so he thinks, but ha hasn't
been on this coast as long as have, or
h, W, uidn't be driving her In this muck.
He's always throwing II up 10 me that
! airt the skipper. so reckon I'll max .
no fuss II he is tryi TO hit the Amphion
through contrary 10 rules.
well" said the other, elancing up
at the dial III anything happens. al,
we've got 10 say Is; II was orders from
the bridge. That telegraph won't lie.
Shall ease her only couple when he
signals half speed?"
The gray-halred engineer put his hand
on his subordinate's shoulder. His voice
rose above the whirr OF the dynamo and
the clant Of the main pump That isn't
orders he said. "Our orders are on
that dial there. II that says half speed.
by Jimmy Grips. half speed II Is"
Then no talk from the deck goes.
sir?"
Take your orders from the telegraph,
when It's working" the chief responded.
"If II isn't working then the speaking
tub will do"
An hour later the Amphion was still
beating away through the big oily seas.
the fog streaming away from her bows
60 swirl back and across the " low glare
OF the deck lights before piling up in a
murky wall sstern. The captain kept
watch With his mate on the bridge Thu
engine-room telegraph stood at full
speed Down below in the enRine-room
the third engineer went quietly about
his work. while HIS chief stood on the
working platform under the huge steam
valve. smoking his pipe.
After his rounds. the assistant came
pcrcss and stood by the old mans side.
"Its an aw,.'ly dirty night" he said.
IN the stoke-room you csn see the fog
prHing INV the yentllat.,s like steam.
strikes me the shipper is running big
risFs."
Eyes, he's reckless tonight. I'm pref
ty WILL used 10 young chaps with hot
headed notions. but the older | grow
IN less IKE the captain who boasts In
port that he never went half speed.
Sooner or lat I. he gets lesson. Some-
IN IS tn, ngine-room pays for II, Most
ly, might say"
The younger resumed his rounds
through the machinery, his light had on
n bearing, a swift touch IN driving rod,