The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-07-12

ClamDeTng upon the SpokeS OF huge nand-
steering emergency wheel located In this
protected alcove, maintaining our equili-
brium thereon by clinging to two iron up
rights supporting the overhead deck, one at
each side of the wheel. As an amateur sea-
man, | didn't mind having to do this, even
taking some pride in our seamanlike per-
Torrance; but it was hard on Smith, who
was not aware Of the frequency with which,
in a seafaring life, one must sacrifice ones
dignity. On this first occasion he bias
phemed quietly at the necessity.
Mind your eye, gentlemen came a
shrill voice from overhead.
And looking up, Smith and I saw the
Sailor-not the sailor of song and story, but
a slim, doll-faced boy, like the one who
abode in this house last night.
"Amidships, from the poop to the flying
bridge, spanning the exposed maindeck,
where the freeboard was very low, ran a
slender bridge. I don't know yet what the
sailors call it; landlubber would call it
footway. There were protecting wire life
lines on each side, between which there was
barely room for two men to pass each other.
This bridge could only be reached from the
pOODs WIl1A1 III Ih141 Wco cALGcl4ICo ny oil nun
ladder running up from the maindeck.
The bridge was comparatively safe place
in heavy sea, as the waves that deluged
the maindeck were shattered in the assault,
and only their heavy spray, with now and
then snarling comb, swept the footway.
Captain sent me to guide you gentle
men to the pilot house. yelled the Sailor
through his cupped hands. Stand by to
make run for the poop ladder when |
holler for you to 60
PLEASED as schoolboy playing pirates
I poised for the adventurous dash. The
Ya7oIbaN shivered and groaned, hung level
, and stationary moment, On premonitory
balance, then rolled heavily to starboard.
[ saw the great chasm coming, into which
she was plunging sidewise, and held my
breath. She went down and down and
down, scooped up an awful segment of the
, tropic seas, and cast it roaring over her
; breast into the opening hollow on the other
: side.
, "'Gop shrieked the Sailor.
81 went, with no red tape to the order of
my going, and presently, with chortle of
! relief, caught the hand of the Sailor, who
:, ierked me, urgently but purposefully, on to
L11C lOOIDIUGCs DCyOuO TIC OdltSSI pOulIs
Then / turned solicitously to see how
! Smith was faring. To my CONSERVATION,
saw him on the top of the returning wave,
; shooting splinter-like, feet first, across the
deck"
!, The story-teller here paused while he
methodically, and with elaboration, de-
tached the band from cigar. He did not
Il light it, however.
Il "You see," he resumed whimsicaIy
II "when the Sailor said 'go,' Smith tarried to
Il pull his cap down another inch over his
Il intellectual brow, and to adjust another
u button of his macintosh.
I'm a real agony of appeal, being quite
Il helpless myself, turned to the Sailor, tc
1 find that he wasn't in sight. But I dis
covered his legs, hooked at the knees about
one of the stanchions supporting the life.
II lines, and his body hanging head downward
a under the bridge.
y "Snith's feet struck the starboard rail
q and the subsiding wave left him sprawiins
q on the deck Even in the tragedy of the
q moment, do you know, Margaret, I wa
q actually thinking what an undignifec
a spectacle Smith was making of himself-ou
Francis Weem Smith, you know. Befor,
& he could get to his feet, the ship rolleC
81 again, and another wave picked him up ant
81 hurled him to port. As he shot across tn
$ deck, the Sailor caught and clutched hin
by the collar, lifting him clear of the food
and, with my help, quickly landed him o.
the bridge Smith stood up lurchingly AM
81 shook himself xperimentally.
"Now, I'm all wet he announced
owlishly lugubrious. III have to go bacl
81 to my room.
Better come on to the pilot house, sir
suggested the Sailor. Tt amt as if W
weren't in hot weather The captain wi
have brandy there for you, and I'll hav
your messboy bring you up dry clothing.
81 expect that will be the best plar
Smith, volunteered.
u "Snith gave me an -you-Brutus' lool
as if had sided with an enemy in an assau
on his veracty. But he started forwar
without saying anything, the Sailor leadin
and l guarding him in the rear.
Eve entered the pilot house on the Il
) side, and Immediately the captain, who Z
: that moment was the busiest man I evt
saw, greeted US sharply: Gentlemen, 20
are here, and then, Wilson, do you thin
we could get hawser through the sta
board gunport7-that's your gun, isn't it
u Not remembering to have met an oficr
al on board the YGzDlbdn by that name, W;
wondering who Wilson was, when the Sale
~ made reply.
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