Passaic City record., 1891-01-08
THE PETREL.
ttSail holn

SalI no
Never, surely, did the cry fall upon
more welcome ears, save and except those
of men becalmed in a boat upon the open
sea. For twelve weary days and nights
had we, the officers and men Of H. M.
ship Petrol (six guns, Commander B. r.
Neville) been cooped up in our iron
prison, patrolling one of the hottest sec
tions of the terrestrial globe, on the look
out for slavers. From latitude 4 deg.
N. to latitude 4 deg. S. was our beat,
and we dared not venture beyond these
limits. Our instructions were to keep
out of sight of land and try to intercept
some of tie larger vessels which it was
suspected carried cargoes of slaves from
the - coast.
We did not steam very fast, as, of
course, our supply of coal was limited;
and it was about two hours before sun
down before we fairly sighted the
stranger, She was long, three-masted
schooner, with tall, raking masts, lying
very low in the water. All her canvas
was set; and, as little wind had sprung
up, she was slipping through the water
at a fair pace.
sShe looks for all the world like a
slaver, sir, remarked Mr.. Brabazon, the
First Lieutenant, to the Commander.
Neville said nothing; but his lips were
firmly compressed, and gleam of ex-
citement was in his eyes.
"Fire blank cartridge, Mr.. O'Riley," !"
said he to the Second Lieutenant; s'and
signal her to ask her nationality and her
code number"
The deafeniDg report of the big gun
sounded in our ears, and we could see
the splash of the shot as it struck the
water about fifty yards from the
schooner. Immediately flag was run
up, then another, and another; and we
saw that she was not giving us her code
number, but was spelling out her name,
letter by letter-The Black Swan.
"Just look that up in the United
States Merchant Registry said the Cap
tain to the First Lieutenant. And in
half minute he had reported: "No
such name, sir"
This was something more than sus-
picious. And the wind was rising.
tsHoist the signal for her to heave tol"
cried Commander Neville. sTake boat
and half dozen hands, Mr.. O'Riley,n
he continued; aboard her, inspect her
papers, and come back to report. If her
papers are not in ORDER" added he, "you
may search for salves; but if they are
you had better do nothing further. You
know it is clearly set down in the Proto-
col that we are not entitled to search the
hold if the papers are in order; and there
have been complaints lately against some
over jealous officers, who have got into
trouble in consequence. So be careful.
But keep your eyes open. Note any sus-
picious circumstances, and come back
as soon as you can to report. "
Before Lieutenant O'Reilly reached the
ship he saw that everything about her
had been sacrificed to speed. Her spars,
especially, were unusually heavy for a
craft of her size.
The British officer was received by q
little, thin, elderly nan, wearing 3
Panama hat, and speaking with a strong
Yankee accent.
ssProduce your papers, if you please, y
said O'Riley.
They were handed out at once, and
and seemed to be perfectly regular.
"What have you got on board9" was
the next question.
sGeneral cargo-drygoods and so
on"
''Why isn't your name on the Regis
tcr2"
..Ain't it now2 Well, I guess it must
be because this is new ship. We can't
put our name on the Register by tele-
graph, mister"
"Just tell your men to knock off the
matches. want to have look at your
cargo"
The skipper shook his head.
sI've been delayed long enough" said
he, ssand have lost a great part OF the
only wind wevo had in this latitude for
a week"
s.I'll do it myself, them" cried
O'Riley.
ssNot now, sir; not with six men,
while have fifteen. You have no right
to search the hold of a respectable mer
chairman and disturb her cargo. Do
YOU take me for SLAYER, or what? Ell
YOU must have the matches up, send back
to your man war for larger crew, SO
as to overpower me, you understand, and
you may do it with pleasure. But
guess there'll be complaint lodged at
Washington, and your folks in London
will have to pay for it. That's all, mis-
ter. only want things fair and square,
within my treaty rights.
And, having delivered himself Of this
long speech, the Yankee skipper turned
on his heel.
OF course o'Rley could only return