El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-06-15
The HeraId's
Daily Shsrt Stsry
Summoned Through Space

you suggest anything? We are an
chored off TAPPING. in the Canton river.
1 have "a couple of cartridges left in
my revolver; ] am reserying one for
Miss CartOn-you understand. We
have!
| Here the message broke off abruptly,
and, despite his frantic signals in re-
ply. Curwen was unable to get another
word.
The thought sent the blood cours-
Ing through his veins. He moved to
another instrument, tuned to the admit
rally pitch. and commenced to tap
interrogatory signals into space. N
ten minutes he got an answer, but it
was from cruiser from the west
coast of Africa Once more he tapped
aid btttleship at Wei-hai-Wei sent
back a reply. This was nearer but
still useless An hour passed and the
sweat of despair stood in great drops
On his forehead, when again the instru-
ment clicked
Who are youg'
n. NJ. gunboat Terrapin." came the
reply who are your
The new station on Snowdon. Where
are you situated?"
Hong Kong harbor.''
Curwen's heart gave a great throb
as he glanced at the map spread out
in front of him.
We have just received a message
from s S. Mayday. anchored off Taip-
ing. Canton river. Ship taken by
Chinese pirates; all crew murdered
bat master, two men and lady passen-
ger, who are imprisoned in one of the
cabins; can you render assistance?"
Wait moment; must report to
captain"
A feverish ten minutes followed, and
tntn came the welcome message:
We are full steam en- route; can do
ABOUT l6 knots; make TAPPING three
or four hours"
Four hours Could they hold out
for that time? He returned TO the
other instrument and again tried to
get into communication with the ship,
but though he tapped away YEARLY
Tor nearly an hour. he could get no
response; then suddenly the tape again
commenced to run our, and message
delivered itself; it started abruptly.
= of the seaman, John Harding.
died of his wounds. We did our best
for him, but there was not a drop of
water in tire cabin, and the poor fell
lows sufferfngs must thave been ter
rible"
Again the message ceased. and Cur
wen's frantic tappings remained un-
answered.
Two more hours went YEARLY by.
hope at an end; in a very few !
all will be over; they have |
now found gunpowder and are using /
1t to force the door. The captain says |
the next explosion will end ALL My |
darling we must say goodbye. I am |
ready and resigned. though Heaven 1
knows, it is hard. hard"
Curwen uttered a great sob of de-
spair. and springing TO his feet, wildly |
paced the room. But in a few min
ltes he was conscious that the instru-
nent was again working.
-something is happening out
SIDE. A voice yelled down the hatch
way, and the men outside our door
al ran on deck; we can hear their ex-
,fted cries. What can it all mean?
There is sound OF e heavy gun-the
noise on deck is truly frightful; there
s a terrible rattle like the discharge
OF 1000 rifles. and the most horrible
'hrieks from the deck-the captain
jumps up; 1t machine gun, he says.
an see by his face that he hopes
tgain. Some one Is hammering at the
loor. and voice is calling out to us
n English. The captain filings aside
the barricade and pulls open the door.
see the CLINT OF a naval officers
uniform. Oh, my love, we are saved
We are saved"
Shrwen fell back in mis- chair in a
udden sleep of utter exhaustion
Mrs c. c. Gibson viii leave for