Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-07-10
CHAPTER TX
A SAIL RIGHT AHEAD.

A SAIL RIGHT AHEAD.
Much, undeniably, there was in Cuthbert's
position to make him miserable. Could Lieu
tenant Transom have promised to put him
ashore next day, the young fellow would
have plucked up heart and swung his glass
like a man, but there was a bitter prospect Of
his detention lasting, with risks of death be-
tween, and never a chance lit might be) to
send his story to Jenny. Scarce could he
hold up his head pleasantly as Transom tried
to rally him. Indeed, he was no philosopher;
Or rather, he was q very bad one.
Such a night as Cuthbert passed a man had
need to commit murder tomerit. All through
the hours the thunder Of water sweeping past
was in his ears. The bulls eye over his head
had changed from ebony to silver before his
panied and heavy eyes closed, and then for
a while the poor fellow forgot his sorrows in
sleep.
. The bell on deck was striking when he
awoke. While he vas dressing a marine
presented himself.
"The first lieutenant's compliments, sir,
and when you are dressed you will breakfast
with him2" said the man, as erect as a sentry
in his box on the deck that kept Cuthbert
staggering.
This invitation was, of course, promptly
accepted, and in a few minutes Cuthbert fol-
lowed the marine into a large cabin with a
ceiling garnished with small arms, stout
lockers around their seats, charts on the
walls, and a table laid for breakfast. Here
he found the first and second ~lieutenants.
Both men were fine specimens Of naval Of
ficers Of those days-the days of Cochrane
and Strachan-Transom in middle age, and
kho okl,,s o,,,, l,,k both NTH hou5 okov,,
lines Of resolution carved in their EN-.
look Of brave spirits, dressed in uniforms
with a cutlass scar behind his ear, and the
other of them with two stumps for fingers on
his right hand.
They saluted Cuthbert with blunt polite
ness, and, breakfast being served, invited
him ito fall to at once, for we are rising the
royals of a big ship right ahead, " says Tran.
som; land whenever there's anything visible
on the horizon we always accept 1t as q hint
to bear a hand in slowing ballast"
allow the deuce came young Towplank to
take you for a seamanP exclaimed the second
| lieutenant, scrutinizing Cuthbert admiringly.
"If there was moon enough to see your hands
| by they should have satisfied him that you
were not his man, supposing him SOBER"
"He was sober enough. I explained Il
your captain that this midshipman gave mt
no chance of representing myself" replied
Cuthbert. II can only trust that Sir Petel
Grahame will put me ashore soon-any
where"
Transom looked grave, but said: "Well
we'll, there's no telling what will turn up
When your people find you missing, be SURF
they'll start on such a hunt after you as will
bring them to the true cause Of your dis.
appearance. 1t will be known Throughout
Greystone that our press gang took three
men last night, and do you suppose you
wife and father will not hit upon the Cleo
patra as the reason Of your sudden vanish
ingp A question that frightened up til,
poor fellow wonderfully.
Down to the flying wind was the Cleo
patra, STOPPING with a leaning bow, ripping
up the breast Of the water as a dog slants hi
head to make a better lever of his jaw. Tn
mighty press of sail filed the blue sky over
head with thunder, and the base Of tn
sweeping tower of canvas was an acre o
foam.
Sir Peter Grahame paced the deck at
with a telescope, which from time to time b
leveled at some object ahead; he bowed Il
Cuthbert, but seemed too preoccupied t.
speak. A crowd of men were on the fore
castle, pointing forward and conversing IL
low voices, some Of them looking aloft, or a
the water ripping past, with grins of salts
faction.
The first lieutenant came to Cuthbert
after exchanging a few words with tn
captain.
"There is a sail yonder," he said, "whicl
we have reason to believe is the Guerrero
If she shows French colors we shall fight her
We are rising her fast, for nothing can stant
against the Cleopatra O a bowline, and Si
Peter has instructed me to request that yo,
will go below and remain there on the ordel
being given to clear for action"
"Mr. Transom, l hope Sir Peter will no
insist OH my going below. may he of us
on deck, and am willing to fight with tn
men,"
swell spoken, Mr.. Shaw, and a generous
OFFER" replied Transom, glanciry with
smile at Cuthbert's hands. "But, my dea
fellow, you must think of your wife. How
ever, we'll leave the matter for the present
The ship may prove q Observation-Disclosures
haps an East Indiaman. One can't detec
n%ationalities twenty miles off,"
With which he returned to the captain
and they walked the deck together.
An hour went by. Suddenly the men 70,
ward heard the first lieutenant, who worke
his telescope in the main rigging, sing out:
"she has clewed up her royals and toy
gallant sails, sir, and her mizzen topsai
yard is down on the cap. Now she hoist
her colorsl They are-oh, confound this jog
ging!-they are-they are"
"Frenchi" shouted Sir Peter, and dow
sprang the first lieutenant, and in a trio
there was sLrill whistling and quick TO-
ment among the men, and a coming and
going, and then a steady stand.
CHAPTER K.
THE ACTION.
At ten Of the forenoon the Frenchman la
D1oir nm tho coo with oolor. Axy;pp r,,,cl,<