Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1896-08-27

slr,' I said the first lieutenant, dryly.
Il don't know that, Mr.. Braba-
zon, answered Neville. There has
been hardly any wind; and we know
the course she was steering. She
could not expect to ses Us again; 90
In all probability she has kept that
course. By making proper allow
ances We may intercept her. I am
convinced of it,
The hope of again encountering
the Black Swan, faint as it was,
caused quite q commotion in our
Iittie world. The day passed with-
ont our sighting single sail; but
when the morning dawned Lieu
tenant Brabazon was forced to own
that the commanders judgment
had proved better than his own.
BY the greatest good luck we had
hit upon the right track. There,
right in front of us, was the Amer
lean schooner, her sails lazily flap
ping against her masts.
Full speed ahead, and stand by ,
shouted the captain down the en-
gine-room tube.
Signal to her to heave-to; and
if she does not obey, fire a shot right
across her bows, Mr.. O'Riley,' con-
tinued the commander. 'Mr. Bra
bacon, you take a boat and thirty
men well armed. Board her, and
have all her matches off at once.
You'll stand no nonsense. / know
'All right, SIR cried the lieuten-
ant, an active, somewhat imperious
officer, Of the Girls Romanus sum
type. He had been unusually dis
gusted at the commander decis-
ion to leave the Black Swan with
out searching her, and he was de-
lighted to see more active policy.
Il say, Brabazon,' whispered the
commander to him, as he was go
ing over the side, you know | am
stepping bit beyond bounds, and
| am just little excited. If she
turns out to be a SLAYER, as we sus-
pect, step to the taffrail and wave
your handkerchief, will you?'
Il will sir; Pm certain it will be
all right cheerfully responded the
first lieutenant.
A tall, slim, youngish man, dres-
sed in white linen, received the
British officer as he set foot on the
deck of the Black Swan.
Il am at present in command of
this craft, sir, said the young Amer
lean. The skipper is not fit for SER
vice just at present. We had a visit
from you two days ago, / think.
Can do anything for you p
yes. l want you to take off
your hatches,' said the lieutenant,
sharply.
well, SIR began the Yankee,
Il guess your demand is beyond
your treaty powers
Il know all about that. l must
have the matches off,
'And you are OBTAINING me and
overhauling my cargo on no grounds
Whatever
will you do it at once p broke
in the English officer.
Il repeat, on no grounds whatev-
er, will cause an in-ter-na-
tional difficulty. 1t might bring
Remarkably unpleasant con-se-
quences to your captain. Now
'Off with you matches = cried the
lieutenant.
sSirv
IF you don't by George, l will p
'You know clearly what you are
doing, sir =
Il do
'And you know the risk you rum"
Il do. No more palaver. OF
with them at once, or I'll break
them open.'
Further resistance was useless.
The thing was done; and the mo-
ment the first hatch was raised, the
sickening effluvium that issued from
the hold proclaimed the truth.
Nearly 800 slaves were packed be-
tween decks, and many of the poor
creatures standing so close that they
could not lie down.
With a look of speechless con-
tempt at the young mate of the
schooner, the lieutenant walked to
the side of the ship and waved his
handkerchief. That instant loud
British cheer rang over the water,
given by the blue-jackets, who could
be seen clustering in the rigging
like bees.
81 told our akinner iudUmant