The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-08-20

It'll toll y0r enough to make 1t clear,
SIR he said slowly, "although there is
others on board who can explain more
In detail, You're sealnan--or was
once-so you'll! see easily the sorter
fix we're In. I'm the only officer left
on the hooker, an couldn't navigate
a ship If you'd give 1t to me. I'm only
the chief engineer, an my assistant is
in the fo'castle with q broken leg. You
see tibet rifle for-rard, sir? Well, it.
wus lightning did that. Two bolts, SO
the crew says, fer I wus down below,
an never knew whut happened till the
electrics all went out. Then I-sliut of
steam, and cumb out on deck. Lord
but it wus a black night. raining cats
and dogs. but no wind to speak OF. II,
wus the rain What sayed us, for fire
started yonder--7yer can see where II
burned--but It died out Of itself. When
morning come we saw what we was up
against; It.; looked a lot sight worse
then than it does now. Them bolts of
lightning he'd Knocked the foremost
into smitlerccns, Killed the wheels.
man and put the steering gear plumb
out o. commission. Then the top
mast an spars just naturally wrecked
the bridge. and charthouse, an the
whole mass caught fire. The second
officer was in the wheelhOuse, sir, an
never knew what hit him, an both the
CAPTAIN, an the first officer Wus a
standin' tergetller on the bridge. The
top mast crushed tie life out Of 'em.
There wus six sailOrlnen hurt the same
way, an four of 'em died.. 1t wus the
darIidest mess I ever saw ut sea, SIR"
: a"Bad enough, surely; when did this
happen2" : ...
: "Night afore last; we've cleaned up
bit since, but the crew won't work
much under me- an we're short
handed. Irigged up this wheel aft, SO
as to keep IN engine going, and hung
on, waiting for something to turn up.
There wasn't nothing else could do"
mo, l presume not" and my eyes
rested .th6ughtfully on the scene for
ward. "How is the hull-sound? You
seem sunk deeply" -.
"That's cargo, sir; full to the
matches. The ships dry as a. bone
have had the we'll sounded every three
hours"
And what about the crew."
Just so, so; a crinp brought them
aboard drunk, an we We're not at sea
long, enough for the mates. to whip
them into shape when this thing hap
paaied. I'm no deck officer, Mr.. Hollis,
and they don't take orders from me
very we'll. call 'em q ID hard
lott
l, made no comment, endeavoringr to
turn oil these facts over in my mind,
md reach some decision. It was evil
dent enough what was wanted, and
how could best serve but would they
be satisfied with the offer which / felt
willing to make? 1t was far from my
desire to assume command of the In
dian Chief, and guide her destinies on
| a long outward voyage, to whatever
port her cargo had been consigned
What that port was made slight diff
ference, for my whole desire was to
return as quickly as possible to New
York. would, however, assume tenn
porary command, and consent to navi
gate the vessel to the nearest Ameri
can port, where competent skipper
might be procured, and a new crew Oh
tanned. The Indian Chief possessed nc
wireless outfit, and whatever l die
must be on my own judgment. These
considerations. flashed swiftly through
nv mind, and attained decision be
fore Masters again spoke. l woul'
navigate the boat to the nearest por
on the American coast, notify tle own
ers, and then leave them to do as the!
pleased with vessel and crew. ! caret
nothing for the salvage; the presence
Of the disabled steamer In these wa
tiers had saved our lives, which wa
reward enough surely. All I cared To-
was to get myself and the young lad!