The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-10-31

snip Sue DY LuG marines anu 11AAOA-
standing at the ganRway-
As soon as it was very dark two or
three boats pushed out from the Hor-
net and rowed swiftly to shore, pass
ing a customs boat as they went.
which was saluted by the officers in
command. After this boats kept pass
ing back and forth for long time be-
tween the Hornet and the shore.
which was natural seeing that a first
night IN port IS a sort of holiday for
officers and men.
Close watching would have dis
covered the fact that there were a few
people on shore who were glad to see
the safe arrival Of the Hornet, and
who. about 1 o'clock in the morning
almost fell on the neck Of Captain
Shewen as they babe him good by.
Then for the rest OF the night coal
was carried out to the Hornet in boats
instead of her coming to the dock to
load
By daybreal< her coal was aboard
cleaning up then came, and prepare
tions to depart. Captain Shewel1's
eye was now much on the COrmOrant.
he had escaped one danger he had
landed half a million dollars worth
of opium in the night. under the very
nose of the law, and while customs
boats we're patrolIing the bay, but
there was another danger-the
inquisitiveness of the Cormorant.
tt was etiquette 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 vet if the Cormorant
discovered that the Hornet was not a
British 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 a sorry fight. for he was
equipped for show rather than for
deadly action. He had got this ex-
British man-of-war two years before.
purchased in Brazil by two adventur-
Gus spirits in San Francisco, had Sc
lected his crew carefully, many Of
them deserters from the British navy,
drilled them and at last made this
bold venture under the teeth of a
fortress, and at the mouth of a war
ships guns.
Just as he was lifting anchor to get
away he saw boat shoot out from
the side of the COrmorant. Captain
Debney, indignant at the lack of ETH
quette, and a little suspicious also
for there was no Hornet in the Pacific
squadron, though there was a Hornet,
he knew, in the China squadron-was
coming to see the discourteous com
mander. He was received according
to custom. and was greeted at once
by Captain Shewell. As the eyes of
the two men met both started, and
Captain Oebney most. He turned
white, and put out h is hand to the
boatside to steady him self. But Cap
tain Shewell held the hand that had
been put out, shook it. pressed it. He
tried to press Captain Debney for
ward but the other drew back to the
gangway.
Pull yourself together, Dick, or
there'lI be a mess, said She well softly.
My God, how could you do it?" re-
piled the brother, aghast-
Meanwhile the anchor had bsen
raised and the Hornet was moving
toward the harbor mouth.
lyon have ruined US BOTH" said
Richard Da bney-
Neither, Dick I'll save your
bacon" He made a sign. the gangway
was closed; he gave the word for full
steam ahead, and the Hornet began
to race through the water before Cap
tain Dabney guessed his purpose
w Bdb 10 you AACdA ~ 0Os AC
asked sternly, as he saw his own gig
falling astern-
ITO make it hard for you to blow
me to pieces. You've got to do it, of
course, if you can. but must get a
start.
How far do you intend taking me?'
LAS far as the Farilones, perhaps. -
Richard Debney's face had a sick
look. Take me to your cabin he
whispered. What was said behind
the closed door no man IN this world
knows, and it is as well not to listen
too closely to those who part, know
ing they will never meet again. They
had been children in one mother s
arms; there was nothing lin common
between them now except the old
love.
Nearing the Farilones, Captain
DebEey was put of in an open boat.
Standing there alone, he was once
more a naval officer, and he called
out sternly. Sir, 1 hope to sink
you and your smuggling craft
within four-and-twenty hoursi"
Captain Shewe1 spoke no word,
but saluted slowly, deliberately, and
watched his brothers boat recede till
it was a speclx upon the sea as il
moved toward Golden Gate
ssGood old Diclxr' he said at last as
he turned away toward the bridge
and he'll do it if he can
But he never did, for as the Cormo-
rant cleared the harbor that evening.
there came an accident to her ma
chinerv, and with two days start
the Hornet was on her way to be sold
again to a South American republic.
And Edward Debney, once her cap
/ tain2 What does it matter? His