The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-28
"a Sea story of the Russian ia panese
War;
CBy Morgan Robertson)
Author of Sinful Peck" Spun Yarn, "

(Author of Sinful Peck" "spun-Yarn,
Down to the Seat" Etc.)
Copyright 1905. by Joseph b. Bowles.)
They were d seasoned lot. these officers
and mon of the Argylt. BY right of might
they proclaimed their mastery over all
things on sea. or land within range OF
upon faitn In the infallibilty of Flnne-
gan. Old Man Fnnegan had risen, by
virtue of hi, peculiar power when drunk,
to the position OF silent oracle He was
supplied by the last captains orders and
In defiance of service regulations with
| 1t pint OF good whiskey each day.
But the now captain, Rumson. smeled
Flnnegan's breath at the first inspection
quarters.
You have been drinking spluttored
the captain
Eyes, sir" answered F'innegan. mild
protest at the captains manner showing
on his kindly old face.
Don't ever again let mo hear of you
drinking whiskey on board this ship"
In vain the officers, after quarters. tact
fully explained the delicate situation, and
nesan had saved the ship and all hands.
Capt. Rumson, fresh from home station,
would brook no laxity of morals.
Tie news went around, and an un-
easinesS settled down on tho whole ships
company: a full 80 per cent OF efficiency
was subtracted from tile craw as a whole
Finnegan. mild, law abiding and intensely
suggestfble. became nervous, irascible and
ASSNAGSSs W De expcClcul from Luc
sudden stoppage of stimulant. yet re-
malned up to his general level of useful
ness. what he lost In steadiness being
made good by the recklessness. He was
invaluable IN certain line. of work--the
investigation of floating mines adrift In
the yellow Sea, with a view to securing
evidence for use III some late international
court of inquiry.
soon after gale with a cross sea hove
the big ship nearly on end, demolished
the two main 13-inch turrets, and reduced
me soft parts OF the Argyll to scrap-iron,
without receiving. II stratch or a dent.
WIN al big guns out of commission,
eight-inch ammunition nearly exhausted,
tho crew disheartendd, and Finnegan SO.
Der, the Argyll was destined for the dock
yard, and to get there quickly she chose
me rather dangerous passage through
the Lao 1oungte strait. The strait was
q Ilestlns.spot for Russian scout and tor
peuo craft, lightly armed and harmless,
put quick TO carry news and the Argyll
lou, rot,ia three much heavier craft In her
pain pa. at daybreak On the morning after
the passage through the strait.
The strait was a nine miles. run behind
inc i. ArSyll: she could make 1t before even
to retoln the flest So the Zig zig we eaed
turned ,n tail to an enemy, and fled.
Rns ng IN, llires ships chased side by side. The
happen again, and as the blue land loom
ed higher, and they picked UP the. entrance
To t h strait strait. an ingenious plan evolved
IN tne FERTILE brain OF Mr.. Ryerson, the
torpedo lieutenant. 1t was to reload two
nolIoW mines that had been hoisted aboard
dence against Russia, hoist them over with
the steam launch and moor them with
keage e IN such position that the chain.
picked up on The ram Of the firs mo ship 10
follow. through. Captain Rumson an
PROVED pers n or the plan: SO did the other otii-
accom-, ~, ~, M ian Fannegan was ordered TO
In the strait, while the ship slowed
down 10 half speed. the launch. with the
was cast adrft Then the hS two empty en- .;
i hnve Were picked up by men on deck.
la The plan atn.o was " . to buoy and sink tho
DONE them Il shore tn ,S we oo hs work
Argyll returned. They began loading i,s
the ,d arsi shell with horizontal hail Of
FInnesaan W wns Insi aT9uha r rse ana
Slowing wing the disks Of gpncotton handed
to to, him from the launch BY, the two blue
through the top of the launch's boiler, and
scattered iron about. one fragment s.rik-
ing Mr. Ryersoni a glanclng blow or tho
When Mr.. Ryerson opened his eyes he
saw further GImage and death--the launch
adrift, the engine wrecked, the two sailors
Ing Finnegan. head and shoulders SO out Of Of
down. but before again losing conscious ms hsae
the turmoil Of water had Guiered there
was no sign Of either the mine or Finne-
Fan FAM, though ugh the other mine rode high and
saw this much. then tainted in earnest;
and when he recovered his senses he was
sha BIZ e sh mad unae ths
expedition had failed. and worse in Mr..
RfH1e atsen., m m n We're killed
,rn ru"GN sa Captasl, ttumson ueGided not to
slams appeared in sight Why they did not
come through was matter of conjecture.
and 1t came back with the news that they
were firing at the other mine. now low In
inc wafer a. though pqnctpred and sink,
drifting away. This was quite in Keeping
with Russian Intelligence, and with many
a., laugh at the situation the Argyll's peo-
pie resigned themselves to waiting for
All day long that steady bornbardment
comtinued. only to cease When darkness
Then the Argyll took, a time run sea-
ward, met the fleet on the turn, and came
launch returned With the news tHat the
three Russian battleships lay we'll OFF the
upper end of the strait, and THAT. within
was a glistening object resembling tie
back of a large Iurtle-a stationary mine,
logically the work of the Russians during
the night, for those who could descend
to the use of floating mines would not
hesitate to anchor them. There was no
sign of the empty shell left by tho Argyll
the day before-an, easy mark for mat
long bombardment,
The allies, with one balttleshlp the best
OF the Russians. We're not only willing, but
anxious, to fight, and but for the presence
in their path of that menacing mine.
would have steamed at once through the
strait. There was nothing else for the
ships to do but destroy 1t.
SO, carefully picking spots clear OF each
opened fire from every gun below the cali
bre Of eightsmSh rifles. This admitted the
crippled Argyll to an equality with the
rest, and she did her share not only in
effort and ammunition expended, but in
craftsmanship. Yet when after u half
hours furious fire the signal cease FIR
Inc" flew from he flagship, und they
paused to take breath--and a look--they
saw tho glistenng "turtle-back" saill rid
Ing at the buoy, intact and. unframed.
Captain Rumson was disguised.
II never saw anything, like It'll no
glared at the officers, such sannery--
1T is Finnegan's influence that they
miss, said the surgeon. CALMLY; the in
spiratton OF his presence
But, the whole fleet is equally bad
said tho captain. more quietly, How