The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1914-12-03

was frandeally disturbed. for ]
wasn't used to having ships come SO
close. and l rang the bell as though
were being paid dollar stroke
but no effect!
1t got SO l could hear the engines
thump, thump. and hear the water
turn or from the cutwater with a
continuous, moist rustling sound.
Then suddenly the whole Humahuma
leaped out Of the fog, coming straight
at me, every light burning, coming
full speed, right on top of me!
l stopped ringing and jumped to the
rail, and during two seconds swore
and roared and pulled my beard, and
then she hit us right amidships, and
the shock sprawled me on the deck on
my back and knocked the wind out
of me.
The Humahuma had hit the Stalwart
square, and she had cut us half In two.
But she backed out SO quickly that be-
fore l could get to my feet she was
driving both engines astern. and she
was already clear of us.
Just moment later she disappeared
in the fog, but | saw, nevertheless,
that her bow was stove in and rup-
tured and that on deck there was a
barndoor Of a woman's figure which
had in its arms child.
felt sure from their shapes that the
woman and child would be Mrs. Sid
dons and 81.
Would the Humahuma sink?
was sure she would, from what
had seen. And then l noticed that my
own ship, the old Stalwart, was sink
ing too. What to do?
ran to the splintered hole, and
heard the water whistling as 1t rushed
in, like wind in the treetops, only in
sharper notes.
What to do?
jumped and rang the alarm call on
the bell, and the ships ahead passed 1t |
along. rang It again and again, and
then a frail SKIN with half grown
boy in 1t appeared alongside out Of
the fog.
an take you OF, uncle" said the
boy.
l told him not to be familiar, that
wasn't his uncle at all and that as for
going Oh with him in his skin |
couldn't.
I'm sort Of captain" said l, "and I
can't leave. You know yourself ship
keeper can't go without being relieved;
his Job Is to stay with his ship. But
I'm much obliged to you, and I'd ap-
Dreciate 1t more yet II you'd run down
% the Humahuma and pick up some
friends OF mine"
The boy hollered, Jaw, come on. you
nutty old devil she's sinkin'w
But said. "No; I'm staying, though
ID like well to see how 81 and his ma
ire getting along, and wish you'd go
Town for me and see."
But just then another skif came out
# the silvery fog, and 1t carried the
ong old admiral himself, going In a
vherry, with two bluejackets h'isting
i'm along.
"Oars" he cried, abreast the gang
way. and then he called to me: why
ont you get off the ship? She's sink
ng."
/ saluted him just as I'd saluted
'homas at Chickamauga and says:
Cant till I'm relieved"
And do you know he seemed to get
cal mad. He says:
You're relieved now. Haven't you
OF any sense In your head? Get out Of
nat into the skiff. Give way, ladsw
"All right, sir" says |. If she's or ,
ers she goes, and I'm much obliged to
GU
And jumped into the skiff with the
oy, and We followed the admlrals ,
Dat through the fog toward where we
)uld hear muffied shouts and cries. ,
The Humahuma sank before we ar
we'd, and we were soon In the midst
foating buckets, boards and articles !.
clothing. But there were good
any shore Loats already there. and
le survivors were all picked up 80 far I
could be seen. :.
So we started looking In the various