The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1891-02-18
A YANKEE TRICK.
"Sail how

OF land and try to intercept some OF
the larger vessels, which, it was sus-
pected. carried cargoes of slaves from
the - coast. The ship. the sea, the
cioudless sky-there was nothing else
to see. nothing else TO think of. Work,
study, play even, were alike impossible
in that fierce, scorching heat. IF You
touched bit of iron on deck it almost
burned your hand. If you lay down
between dec.Ss covered with a sheet
yoa awol.e in a bath of perSpiration.
Sail hor-
The man, in his excitement, repeated
the shout before lac could be hailed
from the deck.
Where. away sang out the cap
Two points on the weather bow.
sir" was the reply
That phrase about the weather
bow" was "a nautical fiction. for there
was no wild to speak of. and what
there was was nearly dead nstcrn.
Keep her away two points. = said
Commander Neville. and the order wa,
promptly obeyed.
In a few seconds the news had spread
through the ship. and the men clustered
on the buiwaries strsiining their eyes to
get glimpse of the stranger. Even
the stokers. poor fellows. showed their
sooty faces at the engine room hatch
way. OF course the stranger might be,
and probably WAS. an innocent trader,
but then she might be shaver, and
golden visions of prize money floated
before the eyes of every man and boy
on board the Petrol
We did not steam very fast. as of
course our supply of coal was limited ;
and it was about two hours before sun
down when we fairly sighted the
stranger. Size was II long three lnasted
schooner. with tall, raking Inasts, lying
very low in the water All her canvas
was set. and as a little wind had
sprung mp she WAS slipping through
the water mt a fair pace.
She looks for all the world like a
SLAYER, sir" remarked Mr.. Brabazon,
the first lieutenant, to the commander.
Neville said nothing, but his lips
were iir:nly compressed and CLEAN
of excitement was in his eyes.
Fire n blank cartridge, Mr.. O'Riley, -
said he to the second lieutenant, and
signal her tn ask her nationality and
her code number"
This was done. and in answer to the
signal the schooner slowly hoisted the
American colors.
''She has cased away her sheets and
lulIed Il point or two. sir" said the
quarternaster, touching his cap.
The captain merely answered this by
n nod
Put n shot in your gun, Mr.. O'Riley,"
said he. Lower your hoist and make
a fresh hoist demanding her name.
This was done. but the American
took no notice
Fire a shot, Mr.. O'Riley wide, of
course" said the commander.
Again the deafening 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 n flag WIS
run up. then another and another, and
we saw that she was not giving 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, mo
such name, sir
This WIS something more than sus-
picious. And the wind was rising.
Hoist the signal for her to heave
to- cried Commander Neville. Take
boat and Il half a dozen hands, Mr..
O'Riley," he continued; board her,
inspect hcr papers and come back to
report If her papers are not in order, :"
added lie, you may search for slaves,
but if they are you had better do moth
ing further. You know it is clearly set
down III the protocol that we are not
entitled to search the hold if the papers
nre ia order, and there have been com
plants lately against some overzealous
officers, who have got into trouble in
consequence. so be careful, but keep
your eyes open. Note any suspicious
circumstances AMI come back as soon
Us you can to report"
Before Lieut.. O'Riley reached the
slip lie saw that everything about her
lad been sa-.iliced to speed. Her spars
especially We're unusually heavy for a
craft of her size.
The Briti:-n officer was received by a
Little. thin, elderly man wearing a Pan
alna hat, and speaking with strong
Yankee Gccont.
Produce your papers if you please, y
said o'RiIey. They were handed out
at onoe. and seemed to Re FerfeotlF
regular.
What have you got on board2'' was
the next question.
General c@rgo-dry goods, and so
Why Isn't your name on the reg
ister?'
"Ain't it now9 Well, guess it must
be because this is n new ship. We cant
put our name on tho register by tele-
graph, misterr'
Just tell your men to knock off the
matches. want to have n look at your
cargo"
The skipper shook his head.
"fve been delayed long enough. +"
said lic, land have lost n great part of
the only wind we've had in this darned
latitude for n week"
I'm do it myself. Them cried
O'Riley.