Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-07

in ship parlance, 10 minutes OF three
bells. ~n
Then for a full minute studied the
coasting Roadway we were making be-
fore the storm and, after giving the
matter due consideration, felt safe IN
assuring myself of at least 30, Or "a pos
, sible IS, minutes grace ere the real dan
ger line should be reached
Much could happen in that short
time and breathed silent prayer that
rift in the gloom might make its tap-
pearance, If but long enough for me to
get my course on the compass, .
The electrical energy had about spent
itself, and the torrential deluge, I. now
happily observed, was losing its force.
However, ] was somewhat apprehenSiVe
yet over the knowledge that it must
cease altogether before I would be able
to pick my way Would such miracle
happen and in time to save the day
for me?
~ x
r FINALLY resolved to bear a point
south of east as an added precaution
against any possible discrepancy in my
present position calculations.
Needless to say was an attentive OBJ
server of that one last source of guild
ance, the compass. Thus, proceeded
for exactly % tortuous minutes. The
rain had subsidized to very light mist,
which was being driven before the gale
in sheets. Only occasionally now did
there break upon the gloom an Alumi-
nation and these flashes were minus
their former force. Then it happened.
Right on the instant that was strain
ing ahead into the impenetrable haze
a light flash split the gloom. o.:
Its duration was hardly measurable,
but it sky-rocketed my spirits to lofty
heights, for l had positively glinpsed a
shore line, but as yet not threateningly
near. Instantly took my stand In the
hatchway and again gazed ahead
scarcely daring to wink lid, till my
eyes seemed about to burst. Would
that desperately hoped-for flash ever
return2 Suppose it should not? My
spirits receded bit.
Then I felt certain it would, and most
especially if it could but guess how anx-
iously l was pulling for 1t as my be-
nighted deliverer. Its final return was
my priceless reward, and 1t also served
me as another vivid reminder that it is
not only in fiction that. happenings
come at the psychological moments.
That lightning glance convinced me
that had drawn but slightly strong to
starboard. while still had flve-minute
leeway at least, SO I felt little pride
and much thankfulness over the out
come of a desperate gamble.
Quickly I dropped to the floor,
caught my course from the waiting
compass, threw the clutch in head"
and hauled to port three points. We
were safe. At last was master OF our
destiny.
The Jewel was compelled to take
some fearful punishment for the next
Ave minutes as we fell back into the
surging trough; then we rounded up in
smooth water Get that word. smooth?
don't recall its ever having meant
so much to me before.
But there was yet another account
to square ere was to experience final
relief from that. nights experiences.
AS I gained the desired anchorage,
and put the propeller in reverse to halt
her Roadway, the engine brought up
with a thud and promptly went dead
I hurried the anchor overheard and
scratched my head for even a. resem-
blance of a solution to this, sudden
strike" of that ever faithful engine
Surely, I reasoned, it is so remarkably
unlike her to desert me that uncere-
noniousiy even at the end OF hard
won battle.
Then it dawned on my muddled
brain; why, that trailing anchor line,
of course. A search of the upper deck
confirmed my suspicious. The pro-
'peller in reverse had picked up the
trailing end of that anchor line where
it had again been washed from the
very house deck, and now was in for
night-diving task.
felt no sense of resentment, how
ever, Tor too wonderful a thing had
happened in this deliverance from an
unusually threatening predicament into
absolute safety. So l cheerfully pre-