Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-12-30

other effect. The ship was doomed
and that at no distant time. Directing
that the matches be as closely secured
as possible that smoke might not es.
cape, the ymne commander returned
TO the deck. The morning was sunni!
and the ocean comparatively calm. A
number Of the. passengers We're play
ing that game peculiarly adapted to n
ships deck. Switchboard. Laraway
sauntered up to the party and STOOD
looking at the gnme. 1t was known
that he was In command Of the YES
sel-the commander Of ship Is al
ways an object Of interest to the pas
sengers-and Laraway's overlooking
a game of Switchboard was considered
a condescension. especially as be never
before had been known to leave his
post while on duty. When the game
was finished he said:
81 should think you people would get
tired Of Switchboard"
"Tired Of itr' replied a lady. Sup
pose we are; we've nothing else to do.
"How would you like to take a hand
at one of our ships drillsT
"What drill?'
"Well. we might try taking to the
boats. in case of collision or any other
accident, from sinking ship"
'T'm in for that" said one. and ne
was followed by others.
"There's n great advantage in It"
said Laraway. "You see. In case OF
emergency the main difficulty Is with
the passengers, and by going through
the drill, in case anything should hap
pen, you would be prepared for It."
"Good idea" exclaimed one
"Splendidr' said another.
Anything to break the monotony!"
remarked a third.
Laraway stood among them explain
ing just how they were to proceed. He
would first give orders for the collec'
ton of provisions. They would be
ready In half an hour. Meanwhile to
carry out the idea properly let each
passenger get together such articles
from his baggage rs would be needed
in case he must live for several days
In an open boat. This in itself was a
very important matter. When all were
ready let them come on deck. and he
would tell them Off into parties to gil
the boats.
All went below except q few ladies',
who did not seem inclined to join In
the drill. Laraway did not urge them
to do so. though he told them that 1t
was q practice for the common good
Soon passengers began to come mp the
companionway carrying various arti
cles. some Of them joking each other
on what they had selected. A thin
fllm Of smoke began to issue from n
forward hatch One Of the ladies ask
ed the captain what It meant. and he
told her that the men were drying
their clothes.
When the boats were well stocked
with provisions and water and the
crew. who had been coached by the
Junior officers to keep cool and say
nothing. had swung them OH their
dnvits. Iaraway filed them with pas
sengers one after another. When all
were filed he ordered the boats low
cred.
Good gracious. captain" cried Il
lady. YOU'RE not going to let us down
into the water. are you? Let me get
out"
"Stay where you are. madam. The
ship is on fire and will soon be ablnze. "
Scarcely any one Of the passengers
believed Laraway to be in earnest
Some tried to get back on to the deck.
but were prevented by the crew One
after another the boats were lowered
and pushed of. Then all invalids. in
Guiding the captain and those belong
ing to the ship. were put In boat:
then the crew and. lastly. Laraway
stepped In and Joined the feet below.
An hour after they had taken to the
boats there was an explosion. aud the
vessel burst into flames.
Two days later the refugees were
picked up by a passing ship and taken
safely into port
One morning Ben Laraway appear
ed ut his old home. The fame Of his
exploit had preceded him. and the
whole town turned out to do him hon
or. Winifred Carlisle had grown to be
fine young woman. and the lovers
romantic pledges made on the night
before Ben ran away to sen were all
kept, even to his taking her as his
wife on his first voyage as captain OF
Q ship.