The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-02-20


ri go down with you Bit he explained to
back. suppose can SO up TO the chart, house.'
OF course. sir said sewell. II YOU can't so
where you like aboard OF us. who CAM"
The old smiled 'That'n be for the Can
tain to say he answered. and up the ladder.
She was very smart. the Old Buriock. and Arthur
had made changes in the chart house. but she had
the same feel for her old Captain. Under her
paint and frills the steel of her structure was
altered: the old engines would heaSs her along:
the old seas eonspire against her. Shift and be-
deck and bedrape her they might. she yet the
Burdock: her lights would run down channel with
no consciousness in their stare and there WAS
work and peril for men aboard OF her as Of old.
~Ah. father" said Arthur Price. he came ON
the d-dock. eh'" Even he spoke he tottered.
Damn shlippery deck. eh?" he said. ''Well. you'll
shee shome shteering tanyrate-'
He wiped his forehead and his cap fell on The
him.
Brace up Arthur" he said in an urgent whis-
per. AN let the pilot take her down the dock.
I'm Captain said the younger AREN'T
the Bridge rail,
"All ready. Mish' Mater" he demanded. and pro
ceeded to get his moorings in.
The mud pilot came TO the old Captains side.
Captain" he said. that mans drunk"
The old man shuddered little. Don't make
Aye" The pilot shook his head You know
me. Captain: it's not me that would give
OF yours away way But I cant let him bump he.
he's drunk"
The old Captain turned to him. Help me out"
by him and handy to the telegraph. Wen get her
through all right. There's that crowd on the
dock"-he sighed to the festive guests waiting to
him OF and mustn't make a show Of him.
And his wfe's aboard"
The pilot nodded shortly. I'm willing"
Arthur. leaning on the rail. was cursing the
them and he lurched to the telegraph. slammed the
handle over with elatter and rang for steam.
pi1nf and tho old nod pnf.L 1v to ia
indicator: he had ordered full speed ahead.
stop her." snapped the pilot as the decks be-
meath them pulsed to the awaking engines.
Arthurs hand was yet on the handle. but the old
mans grip his wrist was firm and Che bell be-
low changed again. The young Captain wheeled
on them furiCusly.
you. tn pair Of you" He made to advance
them. those two square old shipmen: he projected
a general ruin: but his feet not his own.
He reeled against the rail-
"Port your helm" commanded the pilot calmly.
''slow ahead!"l Old Captain Price rang for him
and they began to draw out Ashore the wedding
guests were a hutter of waving handkerchiefs and
hats. They thanked God Minnie not on the
bridge. At the rail. Arthur lolled stupidity and
seemed to be fighting down nausea
STEADY" the voice Of the pilot.
STEADY you go! Stop herr"
Arthur Price slipped then and his knees.
Ashore. the party was cheering.
up with you. Arthur" cried the old man in
an agony. Them peoples looking. Stinen up.
my boy"
'H1aif speed ahead" droned the pilot, never
turning his head.
The old man ratified the handle over and stopped
you lie down when you turn her over to
the mate" he said. grimly. 'Tili then you'll stand
UP and show yourself. If your feet perish under
you. I'll hold you"
They were drawing round a tier of big vessels.
accuracy with which the old man had been won't
to take her out but cropping safely through the
craft about them. Arthur swayed and smiled and
slackened his head holding as though in response
friends npye
farewell clamor. The grip on his arm held him
for he had weakened on his drink excitabls
will.
''starboard!" ordered the pilot. and Captain
Price half turned to pass the word. 1t was then
he stood and stumbled sideways catching himself
the telegraph The old men snatched him upright.
below there came the ciane Of the bell. Arthur
Price had pulled the handle over. Forthwith sho
quckened she drove ahead for the stern Of the
ship she being conned to clear; her prov VS.
aimed at it. like descending sword
Hard a-port." roared the pilot, jumping back
to below to the wheel Spin her round shore:
chatter: with savage wrench the old Captain
shook his son to steadness for an instant and lift
ed his eyes to see the Burdock charging to dis
aster.
"stop herr" cried the pilot. Full astern!"
Captain Price tehtened his grip on his sons
and reached for the handle with his other
hand.
Clang. clang. went the deep-toned bell below and
swoosh went the reversed propeller The pilots
OEueTs rSttteo IKE NAH On IoOi sne came fOunoe
and old Captain Price had glimpse of knot os
frantic men at the tafrail Of the ship they bare
ly cleared. Then. slowly they wedged her into
the lockmouth and hauled in.
Goose thfng!" said the pilot. painting little
The old man let his son lean against the rail.
and turned to him.
"P'raps not" he said. "Pilot. what did I ring
them engines With" The other stared II had
. hold Of him with this hand OF mine: reached
1or the handle with my-otber-hand-"
But" the pilot perplexed-"but. Captain
you amt got no other hand"
mol" Captain Price SHOOK his head. But
rang the engines with It all the same. ] rang
the Burdock out OF bump with It: and" he
desitAaed moment and nodded his head side
at the limp. lolling body OF his son-"I rang
his honor or the mud with it,
The pilot cleared his brew; he simply g9ve the
matter UP. .And what about now" he a1ked.
"He amt dt to be trusted With herr"
"No." said Captain Price. firmly. Hes gofna
to retire from the sea; and till he does. I'll sail
. passenger. And then I'll take the BW0ocA