San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-03-07
co1ruCsr. rses 81 TIE AvrSos.


shone as the topmost sail of a ship
whose keel was sunk to the height OF
her topgall"ut yards behind the hori-
ION, but i'll he ships powerful telescope
that farotf dash of luster hung near and
brilliant, 4 large lrSsail and a gun
vale Of ships boat under it, with a
row of dots as of heads of men glim-
mering in the warm transparency be-
tween sea and sky.
Its this ships longboat, exolaim-
ed Mr.. Matthews, in a voice strained by
all sorts of sensations into high note
Twill swear to her, distant as she is. ~
VERY WELL" said the commander
coolly putting down the binocular glass
All excitement was gone from him. His
nostrils were large; determination had
fixed the expression of his face The
spirit of roast beef had started, but not
from its grave, in that sturdy, resolved
shape. He said, letting fall his informing
tricks of speech, talking indeed rather
rapidly, with pulse of decision, how
ever, in every word:
''There is nothing more probable than
that she should prove the longboat. We
are within, comparatively speaking, a
few hours sail of the island. If that
boat left it yesterday and headed north,
as she appears to be doing, she was al
most certain to fall in with us. But for
all that, Mr.. Matthews, it is stroke Of
fortune of which we must be able to
give good account. Sir, you will give
me leave to take command of this yes
sel?'
"Oh, why, most certainly; anything
I can do under you" said the mate,
bowling and bowling.
First and foremost, we have not 50
much as pea shooter in the ship. Sig.
nal Hardy; speak him-quickly, if you
please. If that boat disCOvers-as she is
sure to do by your topgallant mast being
gone-that we are the bark Queen in
company with brig she'll make
tracks, sir, and we may have some diff
Guilty IN catching her. "
A small ensign run aloft at the gaff
end was signal enough to Hardy, who
Immediately threw the brig in the wind.
and the bark slowly foated on to her
quarter.
"Mr. Hardy" reared the command
er, 81 am going in chase of that boat
in this ship. Send the arms chest and
ammunition aboard. See to the cut
lasses, Hardy"
AYE, aye, SIR" shouted the man, as
he stood on the rail, holding by the
wang, with the foot of his trousers trem-
bling.
II may have to deprive you for the
time of the services of three of your
men. Send six in the boat. You will
have plenty to work the brig with. If
should run out of sight of you, make
for Halloran island and heave to and
wait for me. "
Fright, SIR" bawled Hardy. And a
minute later all was hurry and hustle
in the little vessel.
''Is she the longboat, do you think,
Mr.. MatthewsF said Miss Mansel, |
standing beside the mate. who was
again viewing the still distant object
through the ships glass.
Il am certain of it. First of all, she |
Is a ships boat The coincidence Of
ships boat being adrift down here would |
be too extraordinary. Everything tai
les. We are fast closing the island.
She could have left it but few hours,
10 to say. All is happening in small
space of water, and you may take my
word that Captain Benson's old friends
ire yonder.
"Amazingl" murmured the girl
What will Commander Boldock do?
low will he be able to catch them if
hey try to escape?"
He approached at that moment to
nake known his intentions to Mr.. Mat
hews and talked with one hand affec-
but lightly lying ON Miss
Iansel's shoulder.
1--WE must catch those fellows by a
use, " said he. "When we are armed,
re will shift helm for the boat. The
os'n Trivett must coax them on board
y the statement l put into his mouth.
'ou, sir, will keep out of sight with
ne men. William and the Dane will
and by to show themselves ON the fore
istle. The scoundrels must be on board
9fore the rush is made Then out you
our to the signal of my shout"
eff the rogues should refuse to come
1 board, Sir?" said Matthews.
"Our brains are not one barrel ma
lines," answered the commander, his
amer tinged with the contempt which :
such moment naval officer might
silly entertain for an OK faced mer
ant mate capable of asking useless
estiOns. ,
He withdrew his hand from Miss :
ansel's shoulder and stepped over to E
iyett, the boatswain of the brig, :
nom he addressed in a very earnest, :
cisiye manner, talking with plenty of !
eatrioal gestures, while he frequently "
1ked in the direction Of the boat.
4 l.. Il "