The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1895-04-12
PIPER MARLBOROUGH, FRIDAY. 12,


chorage-he need not be supposedto to know
that change was expected; besides (and
this was important to Capt. ShewelD the
old anchorage was nearer the docks and ii
was clear, save for one little lifeboat and
Il schooner, which was making out as he
came up.
As she came to anchor the COrmorant
saluted her. and she replied instantly.
Custom officers, who were watching the
craft from the shore or from their boats,
gave up hope ofany excitement when they
saw and heard the salutes. But two went
out to the Hornet, were received gracious
ly in his cabin-appropriately hung with
pictures of Nelson and Collingwood-said
that he was proceeding to Alaska to res
cue a crew shipwrecked on that island and
that he was leaving the next day as soon
as he could get some coal, though he fear
ed it would be difficult coalng up that
night. Still he did not need great deal,
he said, which was, indeed, the case, but
he did need some, and he knew that
for his safety and the Hornets he must
have it. After this with cheerful compli-
ments, and the perfunctary declaration on
his side that there was nothing dutiable on
board, the officers left him, greatly pleased
with his courtesy, saluted as they left the
ships side by the marines and sailors stand
ing at the gang-way. The officers did not
notice that one of these officers winked an
eye at another, and that both then grinned,
and were promptly ordered aft by the
Second Lieut. enant
As soon as it was very dark two or three
boats pushed out from the Hornet and
rowed swiftly to the shore, passing Gus
toms boat as they went, which was saluted
by the officers in command. After this
boats kept passing back and forth for a
long time between the Hornet and the
shore, which was natural seeing that a
first night in port is sort of holiday for
officers and men. 1fthese sailors had been
watched closely, however, it would have
been seen that they visited but few saloons
on shore, and drank little, and then evil
IDENTIFY as "a blind" Closely watching
also would have discovered the fact that
there were few people on shore who were
glad to see the safe arrival of the Hornet,
and who, about o'clock in the morning,
almost fell on the neck of Capt. Shewell
as they bade him goodbye. Then for the
rest of the night coal was carried out to
the Hornet in boats instead of coming to
the dock to load
By daybreak her coal was aboard.
Cleaning up then came, and preparations
to depart. Capt. Shewell's eye was now
on the Cormorant. He had escaped one
danger-he had landed half million dol
lars worth of opimm under the very eyes
of the law, and while customs boats were
patroling the bay-but there was another
danger-the inquisitiveness of the Cormo-
rant 1t was etiquette for him to call up
on 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 discovered that the Hornet was
not British man -of-war but a 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 got his
ex-British man-of-war two years before,
purchased in Brazil by two adventurous
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 mouth of the
warship's guns.
Just as he was lifting anchor to get
away he saw boat shoot out from the
side of the Cormorant. Capt. Debney, in
dignant at the lack of etiquette, and a lit
tie suspicious also-for there was no HOr
net in the Pacific squadron-was coming
to see the discourteous commander. He
was received according to custom, and was
greeted at once by Capt. Shewell AS the
eyes of the two men met both started, but
| Captain Debney most. He turned white,
and put out his hand to the boat side to
steady himself. But Capt. Shewell held
the hand that had been put out and press
ed it. He tried to press Captain forward,
but the other drew back to the gangway.
Pull yourself together Dick, or there'll
be mess said Shewell, softly.
MY God! how could 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 sign, the gangway was closed;
he gave the word for full steam ahead
and the Hornet began the race through the
water before Captain Debney guessed his
purpose
What do you mean to do?" he 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-
''As far as the Farlones, perhaps
Richard Debneys face had 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 well
not to listen too closely to those who part,
knowing they will never meet again
They had been children III the one moth
cr's arms; there was nothing in common
between them now except the old love.
Nearing the Farilones Capt. Debnev
was put off in an open boat Standing
there, alone, he was once more naval
officer, and he called out sternlv: Sir, |
hope to sink you and your smuggling craft
within four and twenty hours ~
Capt. Shewell spoke no word, but salu-
ted slowly, deliberately, and watched his
brothers boat recede till it was speck