The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1919-10-03
BOCHE SHIPPERS POOR
SPELLING HIS UNDOING

~ ana one H. ana NJ hubtHtr tiin@ WIN
a and two R'sf And that express
sion. Runs for British admiralty"
Would an English merchant skipper
talk about the British admiralty.
Would he not say. "Under admiralty
charter" or some such phrasef
The signal lamp Of the unknown
vessel began to scintiliate again.
"who are your ran the simple
message.
There was certainly directness
about the question suggesting . blum
old English skipper.
~ British man-of-war." was our
answer. A little later we followed II
up by peremptory order to the strnn-
ger to stop. When the signal lamp
began to flicker again. II seemed to
show just a tribe Of hesitation.
Might Of Suspense.
His meaning was plain enough. We
could have ordered him to stop when
we nrst sighted him. when we were
within range Of the shore batteries.
and where there were British men.df-
war lying just round the corner inside
the harbor. lie evidently suspected us
OF being the German raider. All these
merchantmen were 10 state Of high
nervous tension. The mere fact OF be-
Ing ordered to stop was enough to
mako him run as hard as he could. II
was clear that we could not overhaul
him. The only question was. had we
sufficient grounds Of suspicion to JUS
tify us In taking steps to compel him
to stopf No one cares TO 90 to the
length Of firing on strange merchant
man In the middle OF the night unless
there are grave reasons for doing 80
And II this fellow was not British
merchantmen. ms he professed. what
else could he be1 He might be the
Wolfi II was at least possibility. In
that case the prospect Of nm engage
ment opened up visions Of a glorious
death. but little else.
Wireless messages were sent to the
other ships OF the patrol. stating the
circumstances. and the position, course
and speed. The first watch was over.
The officer who had been relieved had
dropped into the wardroom for a
cigaret before turning In. AS he lighted
up he remarked II should like TO get
hold of that old merchant skipper and
give him piece Of my mind"
THE question" observed one OF the
pensive members of the mess. us
whether he would understand your
language. They are not all good iln'
gusts"
Il was nm observation which clearly
needed simplifying.
III you were mn English skipper I'M
der the impression that you were be
Ing chased by German raider, woult
you expect him to go on chasing you
for two hours without fring?'
The officer Just relieved from th'
bridge became meditative.
Spelled Alden with ct"
There was something funny" h,
said. "even about that last signal ask
Ing us why we did not stop him a
| Alden. The signalman tells me that ~
| first spelled Alden with 4 aud thcl
corrected It."
| Even the techniealities of nag
wager may be franght with impor
tanee. When messenger came dow
from the bridge 10 say that the shil
on the port how seemed TO he drawing
away from Us. the captain sent back
| message to the officer of the watch {
put on the best speed he could, II,
little ship began TO throb with her ~
ertions, while her funnel grew red ho
Just before the morning watch tn
moon went down. and darkness fe
upon the face of the water. II wa
evident that We had gained very iittl'
y IL at all. ON the stranger The captain
leaning over The bridge rail. sang oe
for the signalnan.
.Make II sou Ito not stop | sha
fire."
"Ay, ny. sir"
''if.yuu do not .stnpi shall Ere"