The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28

The scoundrel said she was a new
shipW cried the commander. "'Bout
ship"
I'VE can't possibly catch her up. sir, {"
said the first lieutenant dryly.
II don't know that, Mr.. Brabazon,"
answered Neville. There has been
hardly any wind; and we know the
course she was steering. She could not
expect to see us again; so in all probable
ity che has kept TO that course. BY max
ing proper allowances we may intercept
her. / am convinced of it,"
The hope of again encountering the
Black Swan, faint as it was, caused quite a
commotion in our little world. The day
passed without our sighting single sail /;
but when the morning dawned Lieut..
Brabazon was fored to own that the COM
mander's judgment proved better than
his own. BY the greatest good luck we
had hit upon the right track. There,
right in front OF us, was the American
schooner, her sails lazily Tapping against
her masts.
Full speed ahead. and stand by !" shout
ed the captain down the engine-room
tube
"Signal TO her 10 heave TO. and il she
does not obey, fire n shot right across her
bows, Mr.. O'Riley," continued the COM
mander. "Mr. Brab8zon, you take a boat
| and thirty men we'll armed. Board her,
and have her matches of at once. You'll
stand no nonsense, know"
"All right, sir, cried the lieutenant, an
active, somewhat imperious officer, OF the
Girls ROmGRus sum type. He had been I'M
usually disguised at his commanders de-
cision to leave the Black Swan without
searching her, and he was delighted that
a more active policy had been begun.
IL say, Brdbazon," whispered the COM
mander, as he was going over the side,
you know I'm stepping a bit beyond
bounds, and I'm just little anxious. II
she turns out to Zoe a SLAYER. as We suspect,
step to the tahrail and wave your hand
kerchief, will vou?"
81 will, sir; I'm certain it will be all
right" cheeriully responded the first lieu
| tenant.
A tall slim, younQish man. dressed
in white linen, received the British OF
ticer as he set foot on the deck of the
! Black Swan.
81 am at present in command of this
craft, sir" said the young American.
The skipper is not fit for service just at
present. We had a visit from you two
days ago, think. Can do anything for
your"
eyes, l want you 10 take off your
hatches," said the Lieutenant sharply.
'Well, sir" began the Yankee, Il guess
your demand is beyond your treaty
/ powers"
81 know all about that. must have
| the matches of"
"And you are OBTAINING me and over
hauling my cargo on no grounds what
/ ever"
''Will YOU do it at once?" broke in the
| British officer.
81 repeat, on no grounds Uhdteyer, will
! cause an in-ter-na-tional difficulty, and
may bring Remarkably unpleasant con-
| sequences 10 your captain. Now"
"Of with your hatches!" cried the lieu
tenant asIriv
III YOU don't, by George, l will"
"You know clearly what you're doing,
lido"
"And you know the risk you rum"
Il do No more palaYer. OFF with
them at once, or Ill break them open"
| Further resistance was useless. The
| thing was done, and the moment the last
hatch was raised the sickening effiuvium
! that issued from the hold proclaimed the
/ truth. Nearly three hundred slaves were
| packed between decks, many OF the poor
creatures standing 60 close that they
could not lie down.
With a look Of speeches contempt at
/ the young mate of the schooner the lieut.
/ enant walked 10 the side of the ship and
waved his handkerchief. That instant a
! loud British cheer rang over the water,
! given by the biue-jackets, who could be
| seen clustering in the rigging like bees.
al f0lI IL TnHc,po,,s Il
! overtake u.s." said the Yankee. Say,
mister" he added in another tone, seeing
! that the games up, suppose we have a
! glass of iced champagne down stairs p
/ The lieutenant hesitated. To drink with
! the mate ola SLAYER! But-ice1 champagne
! Slowly he moved toward the cOmpan-
! iOn-way. Il don't mind if l do" he said
at length "and you may as well bring Up
| your papers with the drinks, for shall
carry them on board the Petrol. OF course
! you understand that YOU are my prize"
And having set a guard at the hatch
ways, the lieutenant decended the cabin
stairs.
| The iced champagne was duly forthcom-
| ing. and under It's genial influence Lieut.
! BrabazOn began to feel something like
/ pity for the young man who had been Sc
early seduced into the path OF crime.
/ Probably he had a mother or a sweetheart
/ somewhere in the states, who imagined
/ that he was already on his way home
/ whereas, now his character was ruined
even if he escaped long term OF impris
! onment.
This feeling was strengthened, as he
saw that his companion was gazing
mournfully at his glass, without speaking
a word. AT length the young man lifted
! his head
Say. mister, whatll they do to me,
/ think?'
Il can't tell. OF course, you know tina!
what you have been engaged in is kind
| OF piracy?"
"Now
al believe so. Cargo and crew are con-
| fiscated, OF course. What they will do
with you | can't tell"
"They won't hang me, will they?"
Probably not" said the lieutenant
''but let this be warning to you. You
see what it is to wander off the straight
course and banker after forbidden gains.
Lead an honest life in future, when you
are released from custody. Avoid vicious
companions-- But, what's this?" he
| cried, as his eye fell man empty scabbard
hanging on the wall. 1t looked very like a
! L. 5. service sword-scabbard, and
/ Immediately the thought darted through
/ his mind that this hypocritcaI young
/ Yankee (who had been pretending to
| wipe away tear as he listened to the