Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-03-05

men snare the unredSoHlHS panic oL
animals when an unknown force re-
veals its pent-up fury. They forget
that safety valves are provided; that
diminished pressure means less risk.
The knowledge that restraint, not free
dom. is dangerous comes ever in the
Suise of new discovery.
The mining engineers OF course did
not share this delusion.
There must be something serious
the matter or they would not be vast
ing power like that" murmured the
American to one of his fellow profess
SIGNALS.
"a smashup in the engine room.
Nothing is more certain" was the an
Swer in Spanish. .--
wonder If any one is hurt
The Spaniard bent a little nearer.
pswhat can you expect" he whispered
eympathetically.
In the unnatural peacefulness of the
ships progress, disturbed only by the
roar of the superheated vapor, they
all heard the opening of a door at the
head Of the salon stairway. The third
officer appeared, his wet oilskins gleam-
ing and dripping.
"Dr. Christobal, the captain wishes
10 speak to you," he said.
Christobal rose and crossed the sa-
Ion. ss
"As you are here, won't you tell the
ladies there is nothing to be afraid Of
In the mere stopping Of the engines?"
he suggested.
"Oh, the ship is right enough" was
the hasty response. There has been
an accident in the stokehold. That is
all
want any helpT demanded the
American
"Well-I'll ask the captain
Evidently anxious to avoid further
questioning, he ran up the companion
way. Christobal followed, and the
door was closed and bolted again,
Il hate the word accident 1t COW
ers so many horrid possibilities" said
Isobel.
Il am afraid some poor fellows have
been injured and that is why Captain
Courtenay sent for DR.. Christobal,"
said Elsie.
"0h, of course, l meant that. l was
not thinking of the mere delay, though
it is annoying that breakdown should
occur here"
"It would be equally bad anywhere
else" put in the missionary's wife tim
idly
by no means" was the sharp re-
Spouse. IF we We're In the strait,
for instance. we could signal to San
Isidro or Sandy point. and there would
be other vessels passing. Here We
are in the worst possible place"
To all appearance. Miss Barring alone
among the passengers, now that Chris
tobal was gone. realized vaguely the
jperilous plight of the Kansas In a
maritime community like that of Val
paraiso there was every reason to
know and dread the rock bound coast
which fringed the southern path to-
ward civilization. Strange. half forgot
zen stories of the terrors which await
q disabled ship caught in a southwest
erly gale on the Pacific side of TERRA
= del Fuego rose dimly in her mind. and
the advancing darkness did not tend
toward cheerfulness.
;. The curious sense of waiting. they
knew not for what, which dulled the
: thoughts and stilled the tongues Of the
small company at the table soon COM
municated itself to the stewards. The
g men stood in little knots, exchanging
few words, and those mostly meaning
less. But the chief steward, whose
trained ear caught the regular beat Of
The donkey engine. woke them up with
D series Of sharp orders.
switch on the lights he said loud
~. Clear the table and hurry up
with the coffee. Get a move on those
fellows. Gomez Have you never be
fore been in a ship when the screw
stopped"
. The Gomez thus appealed TO was the
Engllshman's second in command. He
neted as Interpreter when anything
out OF the common was required. He
muttered few words I'm the HispanO-
Indian patols which his hearers best
understood. and the scene in the sa
Ion changed with wondrous sudden
ness. The glow Of the electric lamps
banished the gathering shadows. The
luxurious comfort Of the apartment
soon dispelled the notion Of danger.
The noise Of the steam exhaust ceas-
ed as abruptly as It began The ship
was riding easily in spite Of the heavy
sea. And then. while the occupants
Of the salon we're endeavOring To per :
susde each other that sIl was well. the
loud wall Of the siren thrilled them
with increased forphoding II was not 1
the warning note Of a fog or the sharp
course signal for the guidance Of a
passing ship. hut a sustained trumpet
ing whirh announced tn any steamer
hidden in the iarkening waste nf wa
tars that the Kansas was not under
control III vas a wild. sinister aD-
pezi fer hep. the voiee Of the dis
ahIed vessel r~oclaimfng her need and .
the answer seemed to come in a fiercer
shrek of the gale. while the added
fur Of the blast brought a curing
tea over the poop The Kansas stag .
gpred and shook herself clear
II vas = nerve Tacking moment II 4
dsmznded The leadership Of 3 strong
man. and there are few gatherings in