Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-04-05
MORA'S PERIL.
CHAPTER TX.
"And dars't thou, then,
To beard the lion In his den
The nouu laa I'm his hall v-SpOtt

soluler ana the young sailor hau become Hlu-
tual admirers, the open and straightforw ard
nature Of both having already led TO warm
and sincere friendships
*For the naval details in this chapter the au-
thor is indebted TO work published In New
York, entitled 'The Ocean Post"
We reached Corfu ON the evening of the see
ond day, well pleased with the sailing qualities
Of the "Ariadnc." On making inquiry we as
certained that the "Gulnare' had arrived
there on the previous morning, and, after
few hours stay, had sailed again, II was sup
posed, as was her custom, for the Gulf of
4Egina. Replenlshing our water casks, we
sailed in pursuit with the utmost dispatch;
and on touching at the port of Poros, again
procured intelligence of her movements.
Colonel DE Burgho's anxiety and agitation
increased vsibly as he neared the object OF his
search, and congratulated myself that had
insisted on accompanying him, for even he ac-
knowledged that the enterprise would require
caution and wariness which he, moved as he
was with apprehensions for the safety Of his
daughter, could not now command. Even
myself began to feel the excitement of the APP
preaching crisis; and we both felt how much
we we're likely To be indebted to the cool judg-
ment and wise advice OF our friend Lieutenant
Bakhus, when the decisive moment should ar
rive.
"Kurnai, )" sail he, ''were close on the trail.
know your great anxiety to recover your
lest daughter soon, but all may be
spoiled by too much haste; my advice Is
that we give our friend day, or even two, to
lay up his yacht and land his crew. From in
quiry | made at Corfu, they are nearly all
Greeks from this vicinity; the probability is
that they are natives OF the islands in this gulf.
i have no doubt that under present circum-
stances the Count will not venture out into the
Mediterranean for some time, in which case he
N hia va al N a
abode, and will keep his crew together for a
day or two for that purpose; they will then dis
perse TO their homes. II we anticipate this by
following them up too closely, We shall have
fierce encounter and some loss Of life, and |
should not feel disposed to put my friends
crew and yacht in such jeopardy; besides,
really think our object will be more securely
attained by the course propose
Il entirely concur In your opinion, Lieuten-
ant Bakhus," replied the Colonel; ''in fact, /
have resolved to defer in all matters TO the adj
vice OF yourself and my friend Mervyn, as am
aware that my feelings might prompt me to
in1udicious and premature action. therefore
put myself under your command, having the
greatest confidence in you both"
We bowed our acknowledgements, and the
Lieutenant, thinking for a moment, said,-
"Wa'al then, Kurnal; Wen just stop here
for two days and scout; the Counts place Of
retreat can't be more than fifty miles off, and
Wen be able to find out his whereabouts from
some of the shippers about this port. 1t won't
do TO run straight to the place; we must cruise
round TO some small port as near to it as posi-
BILE, but not visible from it; and creep round
the shore In some kind Of disguise; there are
excellent telescopes on board, and we can
sweep the coasts as we CO. and make pretty
sure OF the 'Gulnare' at twenty miles,"
II think, Lieutenant" said /, "we should
purchase about a dozen fshermens dresses,
such as they wear here; it occurs TO me that,
10 disarm suspicion, we had better adopt the
local costume when we come TO close quarters
and the moment for action arrives
''Yer right" said he; 'these Greeks are the
cunningest critters Quit won't do to take
one OF cur boats within five miles OF the place;
well have to hirel native boats for that job -
but let's go ashore and look about"
We anchored In the bay of Poros, aud in a
few minutes the Colonel, Lieutenant Bakhus,
and i, landed on the fishing quay. Our arrival
lid not cause much excitement, as the place
was frequently visited by yachts in the summer
season. We sauntered about, examining the
town In careless lounging manner, deferring
our purchases till the next day, and endeavor-
ing to find some person with whom we could
converse. On returning to the mole, with the
intention OF embarking and renewing our visit
to the town in the morning, an old sailor, who
was leaning against the wall, said In broken
English, THAT'S nice vessel OF yours, Eccel-
lenza: but there's one In this gulf that could
give her q mile In ten, and maybe MORE" This,
we saw, was the opportunity we were seeking;
30 lighting our pipes and presenting the old
tar with an ample "quid''-the best introduce
ton all over the world to one Of his class-we
sat down on log Of timber, and soon entered
into lively conversation.
'Yes," said be, "there's not vessel, big or
little, In these that can beat the 'Gulnare.'
She sailed by here, close inshore yesterday,
with fresh breeze, and she was out of sight
round that point in five minutes; she's at her
moorings now, no doubt, and she'll lie there for
three weeks, or month; for now's the time
for catching fish along these coasts, and sailing
them for winter stock; and her crew will be
OIL home till the Count wants them again"
where does she lief" said !, lighting an
other pipe, and looking as Indifferent as posi-
''About forty miles from here" he replied.
"You can see the island on a clear day; it's
called Angistr1, and she lies In a small bay
about mile from the Counts house; it's an
old ruined tower that he has partly repaired. !"
j handed our informant another quid, and
saying that we might land again tomorrow,
We walked carelessly down the steps and step
ped into our boat.
The Colonel and Lieutenant Bakhus had
listened attentivey 10 my conversation with
the old sailor, and when we arrived on board
we at once consulted our charts and found the
island OF Angistri delineated on 1t as described.
swell stay here tomorrow, Kurnal," said
the Lieutenant, land the morning after, II the
wind favors, wen drop down towards It, and
q
with the help Of couple more guilds, on which
side of the island our friend resides, and well
then know pretty near where the 'Gulnare' Is
berthed. Pm not sure but that IL would be a
good plan to hire that old cove as a pilot for a
week we can tell him that we're goin' to cruise
about the gulf. He'll show us the Counts
tower, and where the yacht lies, and after that
we'll give him bottle of rum, and let him en-
Joy himself In the TO- castle Till we've done our
business"
We went ashore next afternoon, purchased
the fisherman's dresses, and made an engage
ment with our acquaintance Beppo to pilot us
during our stay. He came on board early next
morning, and we at once weighed anchor and
directed our course for the island he informed
us that me Counts abode was afew miles south
of the small port Of Angistri, and we directed
him to steer the yacht close by the southern
point Of the island, and then along the coast at
about ten miles distance, and to the north oil
the island of Epidauros. Early In the after-
noon we sighted the Counts tower, and the
port OF Angistri, which he pointed out, and
which were plainly visible through our glasses.
Tho tower was situated upon a projecting
hesdland, that appeared TO rise perpendicular.
ly from the sea ; but between IL and the port
there extended a long stretch OF pebbly beach,
and we could see numerous fshing-b In the
intervening bay.
s'Kurnaln said Lieutenant Bakhus, 'oui
plan will be to moor the yacht this evening be
hind that point north OF the port, where she
will not be visible from the tower; and early
tomorrow TO hire a couple OF those fishing
boats. with one of the natives only In each u
navigate them You and and one Of our mer
can 20 In one, and Mervyn, your friend Dennis
and one Of the crew In the other. We will ar
ray ourselves In the hshing-garments we have
provided, sail along the bay amsng the othe'