The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-02-20

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hclmsman visible.
A slight yaw from the corvette as she
plunged madly into Kissing mass of
water, displaying for moment her fore
foot to the lowering gaze of the Spaniard,
who was nervously chewing the end of
cigar. flash, a report, and a globe OF
iron buried itself in the waste of waters
close alongside.
mot bad shot, my Yankee hero, con-
sidering the sea that is running. Try it
again. 1t will soon be dark, the mouth
OF the Pongo cannot be far distant, ana
then you may look for some other game
beside the Esmeralda to try the range o
your guns on"
Again and again did the report of the
corvette's bow chasers mingle with the
howl of the gale, and with the last squirt
Of fame issuing from the bow, came
fash Of lightning mingled with a crash
and vail that was not unlike shrek
of human agony; but the deep roll Of
thunder prevented those on board the
corvette from judging correctly from
what source the noise proceeded, and the
next instant all hands we're busy close
ACCuuN kAC AoIC A-SokSonelo go
squall after squall swept over the vessel,
the rain IN long, slanting torrents driving
furiously in the seamea's faces. The
darkness increased to an impenetrable
gloom, in the midst of which the schoon-
or was lost to view.
Daylight revealed the low, sandy coast
Of Africa with the more prominent head
lands of the Pongo looming up, with a
Struggling palm here and there. The
surf in three heavy lines was laundering
against the shore, the feathery foam fly
ing mast head high as it spun in the air.
The storm ha ceased, not cloud was
to be seen, and as the darkness rolled
away before tue African sun. the horizon
was eagerly scanned by scores of earnest
eyes, but not sail was visible.
The Esmcralda had disappeared, and
the corvette was hove to abreast of the
bar of the Pongo. across which the break
ers wtre running in mad, boisterous
sport.
A short consultation was held between
the commander OF the corvette and Ralph.
They were both of opinion that the
schooner bad in all probability succeeded
in crossing the bar: that, being a SLAYER
as we'll as pirate, the captain must be
we'll acquainted with the bar, the coast,
and the lay of the land generally.
sill guarantee the scoundrel is this mo-
ment warplng up the river" exclaimed
the commander as his eyes flashed with
suppressed anger; "but this respite from
vengeance shall avail him nothing. We
have left our mark on his natty mainsail,
aud could almost swear we hulled the
schooner once--that last shot, you know
but we'll clip her wings yet, Mr.. Clax-
ton. | cannot hope to cross the bar be-
fore evening, bv which time the sea will
have gone down, but in the meanwhile
much can be done. Have the launch
hoisted out, the howitzer mounted, and
by noon the boat can start up the river.
You may send the second lieutenant, or
go in charge yourself; but l only want
one report made understand me, sir
when the expedition returns. would
not burden myself with prisoners. Re-
member the poor fellow Of the Nal,ob;'
aud with warm shake Of the hand, the
commander retired to the privacy of his
cabin, leaving his executive to perfect his
plans at his leisure.
| Jack Weathersby, with file of his best
marksmen, accompanied Ralph as volun-
teers; and us the broad aslen blades fell
with splash in the water, three hearty
cheers rent the air from the corvette's
crew, who sec: city envived the picked
men selected for the enterprise.
Itrequired no little skill and consider.
able manmuvering to cross the bar in
safety, and escape being swamped, bu
it was accomplished, and with long
steady strokes the double banked oar.
rapidly urged the substantial boat up tn.
dark, silent waters Of the African river.
The shores were Closely scanned as the,
proceeded, but there was but little chance
OF the schooner finding hiding plac.
among the thick interlaced mango
trees.
The sun set, and the short tropical twi
light was followed by deep solemn night
One by one the stars peeped forth, reflect
ed back in the dark depths Of the river
and no sound was heard from the silen
depths of the jungle on either side OF them
save the occasional splash of an alligator
or the howl of some beast Of prey in tn,
distance. The oars had been mutfled, tn,
utmost silence enfol ced, and moving eau
tiously forward, the reflection of light
amid the gloom ahead told Ralph tina
the prize he sought could not be far dis
tant.
Pulling inshore, the lieutenant left tn,
command in charge of his friend Wealth
ersby, Informing him that he preferred
accommodating the ground before making
dash, and il he did not return inside O
two hours, to advance an attack withou
reference to him.
Leaping on 10 the Shiny shore, Ralph
clambered up the steep bank, and guild
ing himself by the river, made rapid pro
gress. When abreast of what appeare,
to be town, Judging from the numerous
lights and ceaselcss chatter of the negroes
the officer found that deep creek pre-
vented him from approaching nearer; ant
as the dim outline of vessels spar
loomcd up thu ough the gloom, he was al
most tempted to take his chances with tn
aliigators, and swim. But fortunately h
was spared that desperate alternative.
Stumbling along in the dark through
the mud and mire of the creek, almos
suf1ocatcd by the strong odor of musl
rising from the hideous caymen abound
ing on al sides, Raj phi was fortunat
enough to End an old worm eaten ca oc
with the remains Of paddle in the bot
tom.
In an other instant he had dragged i
forth from the Shiny clay, and with eau
tious strokes dropped silently down witt
the tide, gaining a position under tn
dark counter of the vessel, which he re
cognized at glance as the Esmeraida.
The large stern ports were open, tn
lace curtains partially drawn aside, Will
the soft, pleasant light from a larg
swinging lamp illuminated the apart
ment furnished with an elegance tina
betokcned considerable taste on the par
of the owner.
Asleep, on the velvet cushioned tran
som, reclined the form of young lady
her pale teaturus, golden hair, and Ions
sweeping eyelashes but partially visibl,
to Ralph as he steadied himself in hi