The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 26, 1899, Page 22

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY. FEBRUARY 26, 1899. onneur you will not attempt BY ILBERT I HE dinner gong was just sounding its nolsy warning to the hungry occupants of H. M. S. Gigantic's wardroom one evening in Feb- 1897, as I crossed from my cabin to the admiral’s for dinner. ruary, 3 Wa were in the Grecian Archipelago with the eastern division of the Mediterranean fleet; and the Gigantic, one of the latest class hips, was the flagship, carrying Vice Admiral Stan- )se flag lieutenant I had the honor of being during the whole of his long and eventful command in those waters. We had that afternoon left the island of Lesbos, after a week's stay, and we had evi- Gently intended staying there far longer, when suddenly a telegram—from what quarter I did not yet know—had been sent us packing at an hour's notice. Affairs at Constantinople had been serious for some time—most seri- jeed; and in common with every one fore and aft the ship, I sur- iings must be in some way connected with the course y was, in fact, thoroughly roused, the more h unusual reticence, had studiously avoided any > destination throughout the day. Admirals, how- ry mortals in most ways, and I hoped that after dinner, when the generous wine had begun to do {ts work, he would re communicative. It was, therefore, with more than usual in- terest that 1.obeved the summons of the loudly clanging gong, and entered admiral’s cabin. Punctual as ever to the second, he was gleaming in cabin, w I table at which we dined was gleaming in ow glow of the ndescent lights, with the sheen of brilliant lass and silver, 0 genial, was reserved and taciturn, answering sation in monosyllables, and he had a preoccupied worn look. Soup, fish and entree we consumed almost broken only by the sounds of the ship's band each time the 2 door opened, and the unending throbbing of the great engines away hope, (¢ are curiously w down in the heart of the ship. Not till the meal was over and our cigars d the admiral unbend. he said, the ns of the ever-impressive ‘‘Miserere,”” from ting in upon us, “I daresay you've been enly this afternoon and where we are off fore because I had not quite made up my to take in the affair on hand; but as I “Trovatore,” softly dering we left so0 s did not enlighten you i as to what part vou were have come torthe conclusion that you are the best iniividual to help me, I will put you in possession of the facts. You know, of course,’ he con- t “that things in Constantinople have lately been causing grave The patience of our own Govern- o y to the Governments of Europe. ment has been often enough severely tried, and to-day, according to the cipher cablegram _which I received, the Sultan has overstepped the bou and the Embassador has sent for the fleet. 1 am to concentr: th at the island of Imbros, in a bay on the nor! h is well screened from passipg observation. It is, most importance that our movements should be kept com the Turkish Government and from the Gov- ide against England in the event of war, and at of the way, and yet only about thirty miles from rdanelles.” > done then, sir, on our arrival at Imbros?” res to see me prsonally inevitable, but on second wn to fetch me. He de: tructions regarding the possible d at first decided to go up alone, 1t you shall accompany me."” = certain then, sir, that war must result?” the British Government does not wish to , it is making certain diplomatic t n war. The Embassador certain drastic reforms and demand also would give England practically the too, he Is to demand being carri the Imc 8! welve hours of his ultimatum. Now, even in the ve Porte assenting to his propositions, or even promis- other nations of Europe will never agree to prectpitate the Armageddon which England is ve at Imbros about four bells in the b fons—Line ahead.” The Imogene aifing > north side of the isle. 1 will give general s if you will come into the cabin, which will captains ¢ hject of our journey and prepare them for lopments.” And rising he led the way into the brilliant 1L At § a. m. the next day the fleet, still steaming in two lines, swept ho mortheast corner of the hilly and rugged little island of Tmbros achor ther pected, the Imogene was already on the spot. 1 down the accommodation ladder into hia 1i-pared boat painted a deep blue, which had—and still has, T tion of being one o0f the t cing boats on the sta- »idly pulled through the odd mile of c nd spark- separated us from the Imogene, whose commander rter deck waliting to welco: us, quite ready to proceed, I suppose?” sald the admiral as soon rd are sir,”” responded the commander, and in a few moments we were n_our way wo hours later we rounded Cape Hellas and en- tke historic Dardanelles, and for the next few hours sped *swiftly d strongly guarded chennel. the sea of Marmora, and at the rate we were between 10 p. m. and 11 p. m., 1 atch 1 caught my first glimpse of anchor opposite Tophane, in_the midst teamers from every country in Europe ich had been waiting our arrival at the land- panting up_alongside. At the quay a clg and then, threading our way past the moo: 3 of ‘Tophane, we were soon clattering Yeni-Chartche, at the head of which stood our dest mou d us in person, having timed our arrival to a before th~ interview terminated, and we were k to the landing stage. In an hour's time we he Imogene, the anchor hoisted and the fantastic ng rapidly left behind having lunched, we had come on deck, sing the probable course of events which ador promulgating his ultimatum, which he ing more glory of 2 o'clock in t riral wa would re n the was to hav ne at “They're in an aw ¢ this time at Yildiz Kiosk, I expect,” he 2in mischievous relish, rubbing his hands the while. He nd could find fault with nothing. ad and quickly glanced at his watch, and from tioning way. the meaning of this performance he ejac- alf-past 2 and we don't seem far down the I think I'll have to look at the chart!” walked swiftly to the charthouse. appened to meet us on the fore and aft bridge and of humors pta hornton,” said the admiral, “will you be good enough to show me our present positfon on the chart?” The commander, slightiv surprised at this request, led the way into where a chart lay spread open on the desk, and pointed th a pair of compasses. The admiral suddenly became very grave. “Lend m. ur he sald. Taking asured the cxact distance between the point the comma rdicated and the island of Imbros. It was 150 0od the admira rvously, entting as was his wont, discomposure words off short and sharp what's the utmost speed you he said, n 1 ol shots ok out of Tmogene m—well, fourteen knots, sir, at a pinch.” utmost—is that the very utmost she can do—even under forced st possibly get a trifle more, sir, but T doubt it—in fact, s is more than I've ever got out of her.” cried the admiral. “H: , we shall ruin everything! wn to the-fleet in time! Who would ever have imagined n’t_get more than fou deuce to be done said the commander, not quite liking the admiral to s Ve Mioaraatngly ot BiY Femuel % Gon's Hiite unasterng Liomhear “Look here interrupted the old admiral, thoroughly exasperated. ten to me, and by Jove. vou jolly well will Soon Hinderstand. We are miles from the fleet. which is 2 good twelve or thirteen hours’ run, as stand. I must be with the fleet by daybreak te-morrow, for If war 10t declared even now it will be by then, and how I find that this wretch ispatch b n't do it. and that T've been ass enough to forget ion as the speed of the ship which is to take mp t get there I will, somehow or other. Look here, think of anvthing? ‘Don’t stand there in that irri- < sake sav something! ‘T haven't got plans all cut and dried at a mo- but Tl set my wits to work. Never fear, we'll find some of gettinz out of this particularly awkward hole.” 2 “H'm." said he. e. something’s got to be done, Harley. meanwhile, Captair r keep her up to the very utmost get out of her. We'll go and smoke a cigar. Harl think out some way of getting through all right.” And together we descended to the quarter deck again. We walked up and_down for some time discussing all sorts of more or feasible s. There was anqther obstacle, too, that we had over- ed, a most serious one. “Tét me see’” sald the admiral. “Sunset is at § p. m., wors: And. by Jove, now that I come to think of it, we shan’t be ahleetfzu;gi knots out of a blessed ship like T goodne: T replied In the you .can Yy, and see if we can't Heron 1are RMA through after sunset. What a_confounded nuisance. They won't allow any vessel to go through, you know, between sunset and suprise. What on earth is to be done? We can’t run the gauntlet of the forts In this Jimcrack concern, tnat's certain. They fire at you, you know, if you at- tempt 1o run through.” 3 As he spoke we turned and I caught sight of our signalman, who had come aft to dip the ensign to sormae passing vessel. Looking to see what Vessel we were saluting, 1 saw it was a small steamer flying the red flag of Turk: At that instant a 1liant idea seized me. “Do you see that flag, sir said I to the admiral. “Yes,” he said, dryly, “I certainly see it. It's the Turkish flag. But what that has to do with the mattér we're discussing I must confess I don't quite see.” “Well, sir,” I responded, “that flag has just informed me of a way to . get through the Dardanelles. “The deuce it has!” he cried. ‘“How ever is that going to get us through?” struck me that, although no other vessels arg relles after sunset, Turkish men-of-war are.’” an instant think I'm going to ‘sail under that I've never salled under false colors as vet, and . that’s very certain,” he added, with a touch “Well, sir, it suddenly allowed through the Dar ‘Harley, you don’t vile rag, do you? No, s I'm not going to of truly British pride. “'Bur, sir, I've not even hinted at your doing so in the least. Nothing could be further frcm my mind. Besides, sir,” I added, maliciously en- Joying his bewildermen: now that I had found a way out of our difficulty, 't fly their colors after sunset.” then, how on earth do you my idea, sir. It's a rath relis »ing it at all”—I se" ¥ thing to dc the gri in fact, perhaps d seadog would, kne you won't though—*but I think we can get through with it all ti me. “Out with it, man; don’t hang in_the wind any longer, If it'll get me through I')l do anything—so long as not dishon e, “Do you remember, sir;that when we pa ak-Kalesi yesterday or under convoy of ome Turkis srpedo buats lving at were there Yes.” said the admijral, as mystified as ever. “Well, T propose to get you aboard one of those boats by stealth, sur- st—and compel the officers—they only carry one cr iwo at tt them at the point of the sword—or. to be literal, at the muzzle of our Webley vers—to take us down to Imbros. The bo an do an easy twenty ki an_hou A we shall there beautifully in time.” “Harley, you're a perfect genius,” cried the now delighted admiral. grand.” he 1. *“That’s one of the best things I've heard for E it's glorious. But I must say, {t'll want some doing.” It's.a rather big order, and a jolly risky thing to boot. If we were not on the eve of war with Turkey I don’t know that I'd be justified in doing it. But “hows do_you propose to get aboard?” We'll get down the Dardanelles as far as we can in this packet, sir, and then drop anchor to avoid any unnecessary civilities from the forts, and wait till it's pitch dark. Then lower a cutter and take, say, six picked men.with us, quickly drop down with the current to the nearest torpedo var is only a matter of hour as boat, board her secretly, surprise the officers before they can say ‘Jack Robinson,” and the thing is done That will do splendidly,” he cried. reful not to fire a shot, and to com- very ¢ te her, and make her number to the “All we have to do is to be pel the boat's own officers to n forts as we pass, and, volla tout He at once sought the comma nder and gave him particulars of our plan. The first thing to do was to pick out a suitable boat's crew to take with'us. We did not wanf m: men, but those we did take would have to be s steel, and as the commander naturally knew his ship’s company- better than we did, we allowed him to choose our men. Tventually ten were selected, six to go with us. the other four to take the cutter back to the Tmogene, for we desired to leave no trace of our exploit in the shape of a drifting man-of-war's boat, which might tell awk- ward tales. And a fine, brawny set of fellows they looked as they stood in the deck saloon facing the old acmiral, cAps in_hand, in truly characteristic saiflor fashion. Rriefly he explained to them what they were about to do. “Now, my lads.” he concluded, “it's a dangerous game we're going to play, but it's for the sake of the old flag, and I'm sure every one of you will do his utmost. I'll look to it that you don’t lose by your adventure, and that you get proper recompense. Is there any one who does not quits- care to go with us?" A gurgle of respectfuily suppressed merriment ran through the group at his last remark. As If these British tars would not board even a dozen Turk sels at their beloved old admiral's behest! And then, In response to several nudges and whispers, a racy looking petiy officer, whose round, clean-shaven face was crossed by innumerabie tinv wrinkles of good humor, took a couple of paces forward, and sheep- = ishly_fingering his cap =aid: ‘Speakin’ on behalf of meself and me shinmates 'ere. sir, T begs to say it won't be our fault {f you don’t get through, sir. We'll see that you get to the fleet in time, sir, If there ain't a soul of us léft alive to see you do it. ;1 “That's the style, lads!” cried the admiral, rubbing his hands_glee- “And now go and take a glass of grog each from the steward, and for the fun to-night.’ 17T, At 6 p. m, we had again passed Gallipoll, and the sun was just begin- ning to Sink in the west. We dined at 6:30. and intended dropping anchor Ahout efiht ox ten miles north of Chanak-Kalesl. No sooner had we. dined B e were on deck, making our final preparations. and anx{ously await- frg the time of action, When the sun had finally disappeared we stopped emgines. But hefore fhe rattle of cur cable through the hawseholes had e ta break upon the hiot, stil air, there came a fat puff of white smoke o & batters on the Asiatic side, #nd a shot plunged down into the water Unpleasantly elose to otr bow JA01 Heht, vou beggars! sald the commander. “you won't want to waste any more ammaniticn on this packet to-night.” e apoke our port anchor dropped with a_great splash. the engines went fnll snoec astern, and we came to a dead stop right under the ehadnw f the fart AURit was piteh dark: the very night for such an enterprise, moon and ‘stars alike ehrouded behind a thick gray mask of cloud, while thers Sag practically no wind. and hardly a ripple on the water. We came on R ana musterea our ltfle party, whila the cutter was being silently lowered. Ea~h carried a service revolver, loaded in all its chambers, and Whiie (he admiral and myself carried the usual service sword, our men had all of them bare cutlasses. Thus equinped we took aur places in the boat, and with “Good. luck and God spoed to you!” from the commander, shoved off into the black and silent night. T took the tllier, and for some time we preserved a dead silence, all our thoughts. all our energles, concentrated on one objct, determined fo carry out our project or vield our lives in the attempt. Then the admiral, unable to bear the tension any longer, whispered fo me: “Harley. can vou see her light ahead?: “Ave, Ave. str T answered, In a volce hoarse and thick presged éxcitement: “I'm making dead for her stern.” Jeith Janp: Hiope they don't keeb a very gharp lookout.”” was his next remark, “Dob't suppose the beggars do, sir,” I answered. “They're awfully lax i those matters. yau know, sir, the Turks.” y We were moving swiftlv by this time, and had left the twink of the Tmagene & good distance in our réar. oklins ferty ‘Siralght ahead lay a torpedo boat. shrouded fn a veli of im; R e B T aoliiiiys avche URHE Torasd batos red e o e P Hefore leaving the Tmogene I had told each man exactly what to do 355 cold steel, Tads.” T had sald, “and remember that all our lives depend upon silence anid auick action.” Gradunlly we drew near the low round stern of the boat, almost in her shadow dend astern. oSl we rece Wy enought” I whispered, and ten oars swung sflently skyward as 1l get one. “Boat vour oars!"” . ki A The two boatmen. each with a boathook, stood by to ha clambered up over the torpedo boat's stern, and the next INstant wo erere alongside. “GReaT Scor Bririsy goup !.SHE's A BOAT , SIR L v | The admiral sprang out with an years, climbing swiftly and silently up tulicon covered deck. 1 followed, and in a few seconds all eight of us positions. Not a soul showed on her upper deck, and it was almost pitch dark, except where the stay light for'ard cast a sickly and uncertain flicker on her bows, and a faint glow just showed us the position of the main deck hatch amidships. Four of our men who were to go forward crouched low in the shadow of the after hatch cover, while two others, loosing their cutlasses, prepared to follow the admiral and myself down into the dog's hole of-a cabin which v as the officers’ quarters. " whispered the admiral, and he dropped bodily down the hatch- way—a mere manhole just large énough to admit oneperson at a time— into the space below. It was a tiny rectangular cabin, with cushioned lockers, and a dull and dirty oil lamp giving an uncertain'light. retched out on the cushions were two Turkish officers, one already fast asleep; the other rubbing his eves and yawning as one who antici- pates a hearty nap. We were on them instantly, just as the two sailors who followed us dropped down the hatchway. “If you speak a single word you're a dead man!” I flercely whispered in French'to the man who was still awake, giving my revolver an om- inous click, and holding the barrel to his templ: The admiral had awak the other, ar erformance, while -our two sturdy blue-jacke g]n(‘king up the entrance. “What—what is the meaning of this farce?” asked the admiral's pris- oner, when he omewhat recovered from his first surprise.” My gen- tleman was not pable of speech, “Tt means, sir, the admiral, watching the effect of his words closely, “that vou are prisoners, and that we are’desperate men, who are not afraid to st at anything to attain our object.” He spoke French well and fluently, and there was not a‘trace of the nervous trepidation he had displayed in the cutter. “Prisoners?”’ said the Turk. “Prisoners—who and what are you to take us prisoners?” “Who and what are we does not' concern you,” answered the admiral. “We require you to do us a service, a slight enough thing, and in return for its performance you shall. go scot-free, and it will not be our fault if the affair is not Kept'perfectly secret. One thing I can assure you: we are honorable men, and are not flying from justice, or about to com- mit any crime. But political circumsfances demand that we get through ility wonderful in a man of his Bfi:e fow stern and on to the kamp- had silently gained our gone through the same . cutlass in hand, stood the Dardanelles to-night, and you must do it for us.” Not a word from either Turk. - I|HE DECK SEEMED TO RISE BOOILY AT US, FOLLAWED™ 1t you will give me your parole d'h escape, 1 will release you; but, remember, at t ery your brains will decorate the deck, mon bs Row » he said, indicating the locker £ aw will tell you what It Is we t the very first sign of t mi,” he continued, r sit over there, both of you, .st away from the hatch. *“And I e _what it Is et AN British fleet is lying at anchor at a :;urll!,:snlx.;n;:', mouth of the Dardanelles. Do you understand that? T must=y derstand, must—get to the fleet by morning. T want you o Your boat under way now at once. 1s do qugh, the Dard cour number to the forts as you pa: relles, making 0 8. V. D t{emDt Lo arouse tneir Suspicions, 10T it il nesn Jeath. " Once you have taken us down to the fleet, you are al e euzs o ¢ > unde! d that if affair gets to course, quite understand that if this affalf S99 gssured that no w O ent it will mean disgrace to you both. R : 0 E oheat will put you in jeopardy,.and your own mer, forward know 1 L U aything has occurred, so you run no risk in— g 3 g “uamim«- Suddenly cut short by the Turkish officer sp:ig\’lgl?gn‘upl.f; s seat, and, With te Viow, instantly extinguishing the la "the s “Ing at followed he sprang at _me, and in S ently struggling men. So. sudden w ‘me fairly before I realized what " arknes place was full that he had got t across a locker, and I felt his finger: should arouse the crew; a v instant the the onslaught, occurred. Down lh‘\'i—l‘e upon my throat. ‘<o my pistol I darad not, lest the report besides, we dil not want Sur men dead but alive, to steer the boat S with my right hand tearing at his fingers, I madly struggleq for few seconds. Then suddcnl_\‘klhe l)zrlip romxf:},mf:;\g”}yfe ellow dropp fro! e. » of our blue-jackets had come to my relief. Trom M. ora solferino?” I heard him-whisper to his companion. Thers was a tiny sputter, and 2 match threw its light upon the scene. blu acket had got my man tight in his arms, while thde (‘u miral w calmly kneeling upon the chest of the other, who had made but a fee e It My Turk, as I noticed for the first time, was & Feliaris fine-built man, but he W quite powerless in_ the grip of (hefl) g bl jacket, and I could not but admire the bold dash he had made fo t Ja K ablos. As-for the other, he was a mere apology for & man, Wwith a D ce o ht in him. 3 an ounce of Hght 4 Ty Turk, “you have won the game. The 0dds wero too et Rilah's will be done. You may command us. A8 for O eE e —with a glanee of contempt at him—*I speak for him as v Soleag e o What you wish. Come, Selim, arise: we are conquered.” A e avtepted the Hituation with the true stofcism of the Orfental, Sooks 8o convineingly that we released them, and the admiral sald: : DO ers will you have the goodness to get up anchor and proceed ¢ T U e ave not a moment to lose, you know. Put her to it at Speed, and signal to the fort that you are ahout to patrol the Dardanelle e mething_what you will—but remember we are behind you with Joaded pistols, and shall not scruple to'use them. ) - ded DIt mot fear,” said the Turk. “I have glven you my promise now. ’ A 5f us they climbed up on deck. The admiral remaine an"“{fihmmfsm;r'isn{\er, while I went forward withi the other, who gave At e D use his sleeping men and weigh anchor. Presently tho e O urkiah sailors came sleepily from below; and slowly busied then Selves preparatory to getting up the anchor. And a few moments later we stood out into the stream. The lieutenant took the Wl fraifl little craft, vibrating in every at that moment a light high up on a signal. flasfi“’h:\l‘ls that?” T asked excitedly. you dle!” 2 ® Hfes e asking who we are,” he sald. Vi he secret sign.” and Eive e ey and a [Ight on the bridge began to flash famfitarly in dots and dashes. Evidently his reply was satisfactory, for no further o e fort. S oty o e ‘with gathering speed, the long, lithe craft slipped throseh the smooth water. Fort after fort challenged us with its tiny toinkfing signal lights, and was always answered by our Turk. g by him in the tiny shelter that represented the comning. tower, pistol in hand, I never for a moment relaxed my vigilance, and Ead he 'shown any disinclination to answer the forts en regle, I had no b £ ihat a slight pressure from the cold barrel of my ‘“Webley" agalnst 0a tempis would induce him to carry out his part of the contract. 8o the hours passed, the moon coming out -presently from behind s close like a v heel himself and set it hard over, and the bolt, swung round gracefully. Just the black rocks above us began to “Speak the truth, for if you play “I will make our number, & great black bank of clouds, and flooding the high sh Jidth its brilliant and ethereal radiance. T o eh longer this strange voyage was to last, when my silent companion had not spoken a single word the whole'time—polnted with his left hand There I could see the open waters of the A, s 2 Aegean Sea. breath of reliet and looked at my watch. It was 4 o'clock, and the sit Hon was saved. We were through the Dardanelles A A e swi y glided out past the southw ern extremity, day w us r p v W ' Wi 1 iogé—?‘gfixl@d‘?igh):f_u' and sea and sky were faintly suffused with lov I turned to the Turkish officer. Sir.” I said, “you have performed your part ad: v. ms to relieve vou at the wheel for the Tematnder of the Joumeyst o7 T - ma > sign to indicate that he heard gazing ahcad of him at the rapidly rising Rt Sontimued ity len cried, to one of our men, “come up and take the W Aye, ave, sIr!” came 4 ladger’t where we game cheerily from below, as he sprang up the he Turk silently as me 'hg Turk uilently released the wheel I drew a d i and then, with lance 18, guddenly left the conning-tower, and walked aft. & s down into the after compartment, d a few seconds Jater the admiral came up on deck, looking as hearty as ever, and e had cnjoyed a thcrough night’s rest, instead of a weary nig a stuffv little sardine box of a torpedo-boat. i “They've asked me to leave th v [ Wish to procced with their devotionsy’ ho e G mlo, as Hope they won't get up to any mischief, sir,” said L. 1 don't think they’ y y RS y're likely to do anythi We were still about twenty miles ‘from the fl da ve could easily get to the ship WIthin two hours. which would Just enable us t get‘l‘{;r_l‘@r e Db ot s A which would just enable us to ile we were discussing the probable turn events would ke—wea had, of course, decided that by this time war was already eciarea_the urldsh lieutenant came on deck, and walked forward to where we stood steu” he sald, addressing the admiral. “vou are saisfied that have now.done all I'was in honor bound to do for you? And m'sieu i3 f 80 gulte,smlsfied that I could not help mysel that I did all that lay n my power to prevent your capturing my vessel—that until I was ove powered, and forced to agree to your, proposal—* Sir,” said the admiral, gravely, “vou behaved as a brave man, and T }}r;‘r;n:‘i\:xlmx:z;(;ormng}]y.t You made the utmost resistance bossible ur ope To st we were four to two, and you could hardly ““Then, what has occurred is not disgraccful to me—at least, m’sien,” he added, quickly, “at least, not in-your eyes. And my contract i mew “Perfectly,” said the admiral. “Au reste, if it should ever become g now that we're through.’ Continued on Page Twenty-Four. —