Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-11-07
CHAPTER w.
The Wreck of the EsmeraIda.


We passed the greater part of the
day below, and long before night came
heavy, sweeping rain set in and KEEP
us there never recalled more blind
ing, disagreeable storm at this season
of the year, and in those waters, al
sea accompanying 1t. The smother
however made it safer to proceed al
half-speed. and the lOOkoutS forward
were doubled.
1t seemed long evening, as 1 was
in no spirit for cards, and discussion
was altogether about the war, and
the projected copper pool. Darlington
received several messages in further
proof that the affair was already well
under way, but he made no other at
tempt to arouse my interest. BY ten
thirty l had retired to my stateroom.
Yet even there, and when partly dis
robed, temptation to explore the
decks again assailed me. l unscrewed
the port and glanced out, the cold rain
driving hard against my face. Nothing
could be seen; stared into an impen-
etrable black wall. There was evil
IDENTIFY nothing to do but remain where
I was, and l closed the port and lay
down In the berth.
do not know what aroused me, but
I sat up suddenly, wide awake, a
strange, ill-defned fear clutching at
my heart. What was it had heard |?
a cry? blow on the deck above2 Had
1 really heard anything, or was 1t
merely the echo of dream? The
stateroom was dark as Erebus, but I
got my feet over the edge of the berth.
and switched on the electric light.
Even as 1 stood thus, my hand still on
the switch, someone ran swiftly across
the deck directly overhead, and voice
wavered out:
Port, sir! Hard ap0rt-my God !"
There was startling crash forward,
the awful sound of crushing iron and
splintered timbers. Il was flung, head,
long against the partition, barely saw
ing myself by Outstretched hands, but
falling bruised and helpless to the
deck. The electric flashed out instant
ly, but dull CLEAN from without
streamed through the glass of the port.
1t was CHASTITY green light, and I
recognized it at once as the port Ian
tern of the ship which had rammed us.
Before could get to my feet even still
dazed and trembling from the shock,
the CHASTITY green radiance began to re-
cede. Rage took the place of fear
the dirty murderer was backing off!
was leaving us to sink! l clawed my
way across the stateroom, seeking to
gain view without. but could perceive
little. The glass was dimmed with
moisture, and through it could see
merely the circle of green light reveal
ing the outline of high bow. No
other CLEAN was visible, but above me
a man cursed hoarsely, and then
screamed out some order, which
could not distinguish.
All this was the work Of an instant.
What had occurred was as clear to my
mind as though l had actually wit
messed the scene from the deck above.
"A great SLCtl oIcdtucl, u tldbp, ho
doubt, from its darkened decks. had
out Of the blackness, and
her bow straight into us. The
contact must have been well forward.
near the bridge. We were going down
by the head; already l could perceive
the list, the deck underfoOt was tilt
ing; the engines had ceased to throb,
as though the inflow of, water had
reached the boilerss Feet scrambled
along the dack, overhead voices yelled,
and l could hear the creakfng of boat
tackle. :
Working desperately lin the dark.
able now to keep, feet on the
planks hastily drew on what
bits of clothing l could find at hand,
and felt my way bGndly TO the door.
1t was jammed, but 1 HfEed it open,
and stumbled forth iuto the main cab
in, clinging to the door frame in order
to retain my feet. The stateroom
doors stood wide open. but no living
being was visible. All who survived