Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-02-26

And l y said Lord Hubert.
do you think you can hold your own
in the stream ?" asked MIR. Charkup.
son, yes. 1t is not running very fast
the tide is on the turn, and we can stand
the breakers.
Quickly the steady yawl ratified down
into the water, and Captain Stornoway,
Jack Holmes, Lord Hubert, and the crew
followed, and were soon pulling with
quick, vigorous strokes for the position
they had chosen. The yacht was lett
cruising on the north side of the entrance,
but keeping little out of the ordinary
course Of vessels, SO as to be safer in the
dense fog, and the yawl did likewise on
the south side.
1t was bitterly cold, and Lord Hubert
began to shiver after while.
= / thought it was always warm in Cali
fornia," ne complained. Il have suffered
more from the cold this summer than |
ever did in winter at home. What do they
mean by Dragging about their beastly CHI
mate? How much more of this shall we
have, Mr-a-Stornowa ?"
well, sir, | should Judge if they don't
run across us in the next half hour, they
viii have given US the slip in the fog.
1--WE ought to be able to hear the sound
of the paddles good deal farther than we
can see in this fog, said Jack.
81 doubt it, " said the Captain. eve
might possibly, if they was apaddling at
all, but in that case they would be past us
long ago. Our only chance now is that
they are letting themselves drift out with
the stream, so as not to make noise.
"See," said Lord Hubert, "your Cali
fornia fog goes both ways at once. The
thickest part of it is going out to sea, " and
he drew their attention to a black mass be-
tween them and the place where they
knew the shore must be.
BY the eternal, " muttered the Captain
as he stood up in the stern, "we have
them now. Boys, off with your jerseys,
quick, and muffie the rowlocks, and give
way when give the word. ;"
Dimly, through the fog, at about seventy
yards distance, shapeless, underlined
mass was visible, apparently drifting out
to sea. Save by its greater density and
different course, it was indistinguishable
from the surrounding cloudy mist but
the seaman's quick ear caught the &C.
casional sound of the paddles, as once or
twice they struck the water for the pur-
pose of holding the boat in her course and
keeping steerage way on her.
1--WE will let them pass, and then slip
up behind, and Wen be on board before
thew know anything. Are you armed 2"
asked the Captain of Jack Holmes.
"No; never carry anything but this, "
taking out silver police whistle, (which
is rather defensive than offensive in its
nature"
"What have you got, sir?" to Lord
Hubert.
81? Nothing. They told me at home
that must carry big pistol out here, and
be always ready for fight, but l carried
it for a week, until it wore hole in
my pocket, and then gave it to my
man. 1t was an awful bore. 1t made my
coat look as if my pocket were full of APP
pies. Besides, should never think of it
in a fight until it was too late.
''You don't anticipate any trouble? "
asked Jack Holmes.
Its hard to say. 1t is better to be
heeled anyhow. I always carry this bull
dog. A sea-Captain must be always
ready
"0h, you may put it up, Captain . said
Jack, g nobody is going to tight but Daw-
lish, and l don't believe he will, once he
is cornered He may make bluff
Cautiously they crept up behind the
tug. boat which had been allowed to drift
past so that the look. out ahead might not
notice them. On board everything was
still as death. There was a man at the
wheel, but he seemed half asleep. Sud
denly, the yawl grated against the side,
and as the boat hook was fastened, man
Jumped upon the bulwarks near the stern.
1t was Dawlish, white as death.
I'm kill the first man comes on board !"
he shouted, and he leveled a six-shooter
at Captain Stornoway, who was rapidly
climbing up, and pulled the trigger. Jack
Holmes had the heavy silver whistle
in his hand swiftly he threw it, and, as
Dawlish pulled the trigger, it took him be-
tween the eyes. His aim was thrown out
the pistol exploded harmlessly in the air,
he staggered back, and, in moment, the
Captain showed revolver in his face.
"Throw up your hands"
Dawlsh saw that the game was up.
With a savage imprecation, he tossed his
six shooter into the sea and then, in
moment, recovered his urbanity. He was
beaten; but the milk was spilled, and
there was no use crying. Failure was not
new to him.
&c suppose you want my money, Cap
tain % he asked.
"Wen, l reckon it would be little
safer in my hands.
Here it is; in greenbacks. You'll find
it all right. There is 81 800 for one check,
$500 for another, and 81, 600, half of which
last belongs to me-"
What an accommodating BLACKBOARD !"
said Lord Hubert, who at length clam
bered up after rasping his shins and hands
and elbows in the arduous ascent.
The master and crew of the tugboat, of
course, made no resistance. They had not
been hired to fight, and did not want any
trouble with the legal authorities, so they
readily went in search of the yacht, at the
request of Captain Stornoway.
Captain" said Dawlish, "rve done
the square thing by you all, and given up
everything. Part of that money is mine,
you know. Give it to me, and let me 90.
My wife will be beggar if have to go to
jail"
"No," interposed Jack Holmes we
know nothing about that until we see
Charlie and it would be essentially wrong
to let you 60, not to speak of compromising
a felony"
The Captain looked at him for mo-
ment, and said nothing, as he thought to
himself, Poor devil | am sorry for him,
if he did try to shoot me. suppose I'd
do it myself if in the same fix. That's bad
about his wife" Then he whispered when
Jack had turned away, Keep still Wait
till see Charlie.
Soon they sighted the yacht, and trans
ferred themselves to her decks amidst the
congratulations of the eager guests, and
then the word was given to return.
The owner OF the yacht, coming up to
Jack Holmes, extended his hand, saying,
.. LIZ l.. .--.-.-