Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-20

passed through the Narrows and out into the face Of
the Atlantic with tow before the weather signals
of sight of land when the gale increased and became
threatening. From New York to Norfolk in tar
weather, on an elegantly equipped passenger boat is
a safe. certain. and speedy trip: but for slrgle-
scre,v tug, ana service worn, and towing
string of steel-laden barges, 1t is long and trying
journey.
the seas her low freeboard burTowing rather than
riding each wave, her Captain went from worry to
desperation. Down in the engine room Walsh grimly
stood by, and Sam was knocked backward and for
ward as he shoveled coal into the red of the
furnace. The Elsie was having the trial of her
life. while strung out behind the barges walowed
On each barge two anxiously stood watch,
knowing that in such tempest their lives depended
upon the hawsers which appeared to lift and drop
from sight as waves and hollows passed in succession
The rain drove in sheets and the whole horizon
close and dark The wid lashed and tore; but could
not beat down the seas that came swooping madly
from the open Atlantic, though hurrying to do
damage the shores and to engulf everything that
foated in between.
The Elsie could make no Roadway, and her
screw slipping and threshing at times threatened
tear her apart Now and then she would settle down.
with squat stern if intent fighting the Atlantic
like mad terrier, shaking her bow and meeting
series of waves with belligerent, dripping front.
Again, time after time, big rollers she would
lift to the crest and almost clear her hawser, in
fierce struggle to hold her own Her chances
scarcely less desperate than those of her tow.
In the forenoon hours she wallowed through dark
fight but noon barely lighter than the earliest
hour of the morning watch. The storm reaching
its greatest strength when she felt the buffet Of
huge wave which threw her high and cleared her
decks. The succeeding foun1 her still shivering
hung to stanchion Black Sam had thrown him
self face downward on the floor, bracing himself
against the bunker port.
There smothering drop as the third
struck and tons of water smashed her length. She
rose with difficulty but determined not to be
swamped and worsted in the fight; For an instant
she seemed to leap forward Sharply from the wheel
house the signals to stop the engine, and Walsh
obeyed. Then, as if in confusion the signal to
go ahead full speed Again Walsh obeyed. wonder
ing what could have happened. The engine room
floor was lighter and the Else no longer WaIlowed
FOR full minute Tom Walsh frowned at the bells
above his head. and then, seeing that the steam
under full head, called loudly for his stoker.
SAM he yelled . come here minutel.
The stoker crowded through.
There's something wrong up there" Walsh said
Watch her while find out what it isl
He climbed by main strength of arm to portfolio,
waiting for a wave to lift the Elsie high above
the water where he might get fair view. uddenly
he dropped down with an oath of evaporation
"Hurd's running away from the barges! he said.
Running away because his lines parted Running
even trying to save them! Good Cod"
For what seemed long time he chung to the bulk
ing of the engine room door, now battened tight,
while Sam. blue and frightened, watched him and
waited for his next speech.
SAM he said at last, low and yet loudly enough
to be heard above the turmoil of sea and whirlng
machinery, you run her, know, if worst
to worst. If l don't come back, you've got to keep
steam up and handle her all by yourself; but keep
steam up, understand? Keep up your steam! I'm
going to the wheelhouse." Before the negro could
acquiesce he gone.
HE plunged up into the house where Hurd, white
- and frightened holding to side of the
wheel with another man to assist.
You aren't going to run off without giving those
fellows chance, without trying to get new line
aboard are your" the engineer shouted, after
less barges which were yawing backward and for
ward in the seas, while one two of them al
ready flying distress signals. L say, you aren't go