The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1896-09-25
UNDER FALSE COLORS

Under the ice of Cape Girls Nez two
vessels were hove to within fifty yards
of-eaeh other. Boats were coming and
going between them, and on the quar-
) ter deck of the larger vessel seven de-
jected-looking English sailors were
\ drawn up under guard of marines.
From the maintops of both flaunted
! Nthe tricolor of France, with this omin-
1ls difference: that on the smaller YES
II it surmounted the union jack Of En-
gland.
The brigantine Firefiy was in the
hnds of the French. The numbering
ID coaster, bound from London to Chi
hester harbor, with a genral cargo,
h5 beer blown off her course by con-
tary winds to the wrong side of the
hannel; the forty-two gun frigate Al
este had pounced upon her, and now
er skipper, Jacob Dempster. was rue
fully giving an account of himself on
he frigate's quarter deck.
"Ha! say you that?" exclaimed the
French captain, who spoke English
Fwell. "Your ship is of Bosham, in the
harbor of Chichester? Know you the
manor house at Bosham, owned, but
not Inhabited, by one Squire Bullard?"
ri de-seeing as l live within 100
Yards of it." replied the rugged old mar
liner, sullenly.
Certain French officers are residing
There? Prisoners of war on parole?"
..They were, when left for London,
three weeks back"
Captain Fournier of the Alceste turn
ed and addressed himself with much
Xgesticulation and excitement to a
group of his officers, who stood few
PAGES in the rear The captured skipper
FELL back and spoke with his compan-
ions in misfortune.
There's something in the wind, lads;
The Mounseer captain has been making
/ kind inquiries about the prisoners at
! the manor house," he growled.
Captain Fournier, having finished his
consultation. again came forward.
IN. Dempster," he said, my brother,
the Lieutenant Camille Fournier, is one
of the prisoners living at the manor
house of Bosham. He cannot attempt
to escape himself because of his parole,
kbut that makes no reason why should
hot release him by force. 1 propose to
put hundred of my men in the Fire
fly. which as ship of Bosham will not
e suspected till too late for prevention,
nd run in and effect my purpose"
Jacob Dempster laughed sourly. ''I'd
like to see you try it." he replied. "Don't
Fou know that Bosham lies six miles
from the sea? You'd be stuck on a mud
bank before you'd done mile of the
creek"
1T is you who will pilot us, my
Efriend-in return for your liberty. he
said. "My men will remain below for
oncealment while you and your crew
york the vessel, as though in due
Course returning home"
"What-me steer a pack of French
5men up Bosham creek to the doors of
my native village! I'll see you in Davy
Agopes' locker firstr'
"a murmur of approval came from the
risoners behind him, but Fournier,
cynical, cruellooking man, merely
ysmiled. 81 have so far omitted to state
che alternative" he said. eff neither
you nor any member of your crew will
steer the brigantine up the creek will
hang you all at the yard arm within
Eve minutes"
There was a moments dead silence,
and the old skipper turned and faced
his crew.
What say you, my lads?" he asked
quietly. 'I'm for hanging
A lip or two among the married men
twitched as they thought of wives and
little ones, but the answer was unmis-
taxable. Were with you, Jacob"
Not quite, however, as it proved
One voice among the Firefy's company
was silent, and all eyes turned on the
tall, blue-eyed young fellow in the CEN
ter of the line in amazement. Was
Greg Applegarth, of all men, going to
turn traitor?
The French captain, whose quick eye
had already singled him out as a dis
sentient. put the question point blank:
"iou, there, are not so foolish as
these others-you will steer the brigan-
tine to Bosham?"
Avoiding the whitening glance shot at
him by old Jacob. the young man raised
his head for second and answered.:
Eyes. I'll pilot her up the creek-if so
be 81 you'll spare my mates lives as
well as mine"
"Yes. certainly-unless they attempt
to thwart me-" said Fournier, con-
temptuously. "Mind this, though" he
thundered, changing to sudden fury.
''If by the act of any one of you my
plan fails will not only hang you all,
but will burn every house in the vii
lage 1t is a secluded spot, far from
garrisons I see by the map, and many
things would happen before help could
arrive"
Having selected 100 of his best men,
under proper complement of officers,
Captain Fournier sent them aboard the
Firefy, and followed with Greg, for
he meant to lead the enterprise in per-
son. leaving the Alceste in charge of his
first lieutenant.
As soon as the transfer was complete
and rendezvous appointed with the
fTigate the French flag was hauled
down on the Firefy and she stood
across for the English coast. Greg Ap-
plegarth was permitted to remain on
deck. but Jacob Dempster and the rest
of his crew were thrust into the hold,
where they passed their time in cursing
their. comrades treachery.
it the traitor should be Greg Ap-
til was the most o.sishihg fact
especially to old Jacob, who was
of certain tender passages be-
Rthe smart young sailor and his
Inward daughter Peggy.
ut the manor
=