Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-09-06
By daybreak her coal was aboard.

BY daybreak her coal was aboard:
cleaning UP then came, and preparations
to depart. Capt. Shewelfs eye was now
much on the Cormorant. He had es-
capped one danger. he had landed $780,
600 worth OF opium in the night under
the very nose of the law, and while Gus
toms boats were patrolling the bay, but
there was another danger-the inquisi-
tiyeness Of the Cormorant. 1t was eti-
quette for him to call upon the captain
of the Cormorant. and he ought to have
done so the evening before, but he dared
not run the risk, nor could he run it this
morning. And yet if the Cormorant dis
covered that the Hornet was not Brit
ish man-of-war, but bold and splendid
impostor. made possible by a daring ex-
officer of the British navy she might
open fire. and he could make but sorry
fight, for he was equipped for show rath-
er than for deadly action. He had got
fore, purchased in Brazil by two adj
yenturous spirits in San Francisco. had
selected his crew carefully, many of
them deserters from the British navy.
drilled them, and at last made this bold
venture under the teeth of fortress,
and at the mouth of a warship's guns.
just rs he was lifting anchor to get
away he saw boat shoot out from the
side of the Cormorant. Capt. Debney
indignant at the lack of etiquette, and Il
little suspicious also-for there was no
Hornet in the Pacific squadron, though
there was Il Hornet, he knew, in the .
China squadron-was coming to see the
discourteous commander. He was re-
ceived according to custom, and was
greeted at once by Capt. Shewell. As
the eyes of the two men met both started,
but Capt. Debney most. He turned white,
steady himself. But Capt. Shewell held
the hand that had been put out, shook it,
pressed it. He tried to press Capt. Deb
ney forward, but the other drew back to
the gangway.
Pull yourself together Dick, or therell
be mess said Shewell, softly.
My God, how can you do it!'' replied
his brother. aghast
Meanwhile the anchor had been raised
and the Hornet was moving toward the
harbor mouth.
you have ruined us both," said Rich
ard Debney.
Neither, Dick! I'll save your bacon"
He made Il sign, the gangway was closed;
he gave the word for full steam ahead,
and the Hornet began to race through the
water before Capt. Debney guessed his
purpose.
What do you mean to do?' he asked,
sternly, as he saw his own gig falling
astern
''To make it hard for you to blow me to
pieces. You've got to do it, of course, if
you can; but l must get start
'How far do you intend taking me?"
''As far as the Farilones, perhaps"
Richard Debney's face had Il sick look.
lake me to your cabin" he whispered.
What was said behind the closed door
no man in this world knows, and it is
as we'll not to listen too closely to those
who part, knowing that they will never
meet again. They had been children in
the one mothers arms; there was moth
ing in common between them now eX-
ccpt the old love.
Nearing the Farilones Capt Debney
was put off in an open boat. Standing
there alone, he was once more a naval
officer, and he called out sternly: ''Sir, l
hope to sink you and your smuggling
craft within four and twenty hours!'
Capt. Shewell spoke no word but salut-
ed slowly. deliberately and watched his
brothers boat recede till it was speck
upon the sea as it moved toward Golden
Gate.
Good old Dick" he said at last as he
turned away toward the bridge, land
he'll do it if he can"
cleared the harbor that evening there
came an accident to her machinery, and
with two days start the Hornet was on
her way to be sold again to South
American republic.
And Edward Debney, once her captain?
What does it matter? His mother be-
lieves him dead-let us do the same.-Gil-
bert Parker in the Westminster Budget.