Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-05-07

4
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 n little nearer.
what can you expectf" he WHISPERED
sympathetically
| In the unnatural peaccfuness of the
ships progress, disturbed only by the
roar of the superheatcd vapor. they
all heard the opening of door at the
head Of the salon stairway. The third
officer appeared. his wet oilskins CLEAN.
Ing and dripping.
"Dr. Christobal. the captain wishes
to speak to you" he said.
Christobal rose and crossed the sa-
Ion.
GAS you are here, won't you tell the
ladies there is nothing to be afraid of
In the mere stopping Of the engincs?"
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 help?' 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
crs SO many horrd possibilities" said
, isobcl.
Il am afraid some poor fellows have
been injured and that is why Captain
Courtcnay sent for Dr. Christobal,"
Eaid Elsie.
ooh. of course I meant that. | was
not thinking Of he mere delay, though
it is annoying that breakdown should
occur here"
at would be equally bad anywhere
else" put in the mssonary's wife tim
idly.
by no means was the sharp re-
sponse. IF we were in the strait.
'or instance, we could signal to San
lsdro or Sandy point, and there would
he other vessels passing. Here We
nrc in the worst possible place"
TO all appearance, Miss Barring alone
among the passcn gers. now that Chris
tobal was gone. realized vaguely the
lpcrilous plight Of the Kansas In n
maritime community like that of Val
paraiso there was every reason to
know and dread the rock bound coast
which fringcd the southern path to-
ward civilization. Strange. half forgot
ten stories of The tcrrors which await
a disabled ship caught in southwest
city gale on the Pacific side of TIER:
del Fucgo rose dimly III her mind. ans
the advancing darkness did not tcnt
toward chcerfuuess.
The curious sensc of waiting. they
knew not for what. which dulled tho
thoughts and stilcd the tongues of the
small company at the table soon com
men stood in little knots. exchanging
few words. and those mostly neaning
less. But the chief steward. WHOSE
trained ear caught the regular beat o.
the donkey engine. woke them up witt
n series of sharp orders.
switch on the lights" he said loud
ly. Clear the table and hurry III
with the coffee. Get move on thos'
fellows. Gomez. Have you never be
fore been in a ship when the screw
:. stopped"
The Gomez thus appealed to was thu
Engiishman'S second in command. III
acted as Interpreter when anytfin:
out of the common was required. H.
muttcrcd few words in the iiispanO
Indian patois which his hearers bes
understood, and the scene in the sd
lon changed with wonIrous sudden
ness. The glow of the electric lamps
banished the gathering shadows. TIT
luxurious comfort of the apartment
soon dispcllel the notion of danger.
The noise of the steam exhaust ccas
ed as abruptly as it began. The shiI
Was riding easily in spite Of the hoav.
sea. And then, while the occupant
Of the salon were enlcaVorinC to pei
suadc each other that all WAS well. tn
, loud wall of the siren thrilled then
: with increased fOreboJing. 1t was no
the aiming note Of Il fog or the sharl
course signal for the guidance Of
passing ship, but n sustained trumpet
ing which announced to any steaine
hidden in the darkening waste OF wa
tiers that the Kansas was not undo
control 1t was wild, sinister az
peal for help, the voice of the dis
, abled vessel proclaiming her need. ant
the answer seemed to come in fierce
shrek of the gale while the addc'
fury of the blast brought n curling
, sea over the poop. The Kansas stag
gered and shook herself clear.
1t was Il nerve rackng moment.
, demanded the leadership of Il stron
man, and there are few gatherings il
Anglo SaXOndom which cannot pro
duce Caesar when required.
Say" shouted the American. hi
clear voice dominating the Turmoil
that gave us n shower bath. If W
could just stand outside and see Oul
selves we should look like an illumi
mated fountain"
: That was the right belief il
the ship. contempt Of the darkness an
5 /(,as E;(sm\