The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-29


prisoners, six negroc boatmen, who
hate the Standards like poison, and
two half drilled conscript guards in
each barge. Another batch goes off at
10 tonight; found that out. Now, if
you drop inshore, you might run foul
of the craft by accident" Then the
speaker flung his arms above his head.
as he added: See here, Armstrong, l
followed that detachment starving,
and risked my life a dozen times in
trying to contrive my comrades es-
cape. If you cant help be I'll go back
and die with him. Which Is it to be?'
IT'S a risky business" said the skip
per again, but we'll try" The mate
brought down his fist with a crash.
Wen take him out" he said; ''yes, by
heaven, we'll take him out, If we have
to run down the cruiser. tool" The
engineer said no word, but hurried
away below with a grim smile upon his
face, and from the vigorous language
that rose up through the gratings it
became evident he was busily engaged.
Presently the escape pipe trembled
and throbbed with a vibrating rush of
steam, and the mate chuckled, for he
knew that GOrdOn's heart was in his
work: as a rule he would sooner spill
his blood than waste a pound of coal.
At o'clock the mate stood upon the
furecastle head, clad in streaming oil
skins, and the cable came grinding
home in time to the end of the wind
lass. The rain came down as it only
can in the tropics, shifting the iron
decks with a rattle and rOar,and speck-
ling the oily sea with white. The crew
stood about him, and nudged one
another as they noticed their officers
unusual Indifference to the mud the
links flung about deck and winch
drum, for news had leaked out through
the steward that something unusual
was on hand.
beg pardon, sir" said the grizzled
| quartermaster, touching his hat, but
we'd take it well if you was to tell
the captain that if it's savin some
| poor wretch from the Spaniards We're
| with him one and all"
| Thanks" answered the mate; "Tll
| let him know" Then he climbed to the
| lofty bridge, and when the telegraph
| tinkled half speed ahead there was
| great splashing and seething aft, for
| the Olvet was flying light and her
| propeller whirled round half-blade
| clear. With a heavy thud accompany
| ing the Clatter of the well-worn en-
| gnes, and a shivering through all her
| rusty plates, she headed in-shore; and
| Captain Armstrong leaned out over the
| bridge rail with a very anxious face as
| the lights of the cruiser drew near
| swinging to and fro through the rain
| like twinkling stars.
A sharp challenge rose from the
| Spaniards poop, and some one cried
:, off Nt-if hn eta l.,,
are you going?'
| In shore, to pick up last barge Of
| rum before we go to sea-" the mate
hailed in Castilian; and a hoarse voice
answered: "Buen viaje; vaya con
! dos"
The cruiser faded into the blackness
astern, and the mate said quietly:
| she had no steam, sir, l think there
| was no vapor about her funnel"
| Thank goodness for that" was the
| answer; we've more than enough
| Gordon's burning coal very recklessly
| tonight You may as well put out the
side lights now, and bring Watkins up
| here"
| The mate obeyed, and when he re-
| turned the stranger paced eXcitedly up
and down the bridge with the water
soaking from his tattered garments.
| Get my spare oilskins out of the chart
room," said the captain "it means
| fever to get soaked in a climate like
| this"
| The fever and ] are old compan-
ions" Watkins answered hoarsely:
"and I've work to do tonight. Can't
you hear Oars?"
His companions strained their ears.
and presently the dull noise of wood
grinding against thole-pins became
| family audible. Yes" said CAPTAIN
| Armstrong; there they are at last"
a low, black object, ,ringed about with
! phosphorescent fire, came splas hing
out of the darkness. Watkins hailed
| her in Spanish; Have you seen a
! barge loaded with rum casks?"
| NO. answered a sullen voice, and
| what followed was not a blessing this
time "Vaya al diablo."
Hes not there; he would have rec
| ognized my voice." said Watkins Sup
| pose they should keep him ashore."
Another barge came up. and passed /;
| but neither did she contain him they
| sought; and the three fell strangely
silent as they waited, listening with
| all their ears. Half an hour of ner-
vous suspense followed, during which
there was nothing to be heard but the
| Welter of water along the plates. and
the clanlling of the engines as the Oil
| vet slowly circled round. Then the
rain ceased and presently the splash
| Of oars drew near again.
This must be the last: surely he is
| there" said Captain Armstrong. The
only thing we can do is to run foul of
| them. Most of the olve-skins can
swim, and if these can't they must
take their chance. Hail them when
| they're near"
The telegraph tinkled for full speed,
and the bridge rails ratified as the half
| submerged propeller whlrIed and
| splashed, driven by every pound of
steam. STEADY helm" said the cap
! tain, as a patch Of deeper blackness
| appeared upon the starboard bow With
"A Kicker of lambent sea-fire about it.
The mate hailed the approaching
barge, and all started as an English
voice made answer. "Help. for the
Lords sake, help! Run them down"
it said Then followed a sound which
might have heen a blow with a rifle
butt, and some one cried in Spanish.
"Silence there, rebel dog!" Then the
oars splashed confusedly, and a negro
shout of alarm rang out.
She's plenty way" said the captain
grimly, "and we can't do wholesale
murder with the propeller. Port there
hard over helm!"
The clatter of the engines ceased,
and there was a grinding of wheel
chains as the lofty iron bows swung
round. A man stood up in the barge
waving a lantern, and then the white
streak of the steamers forecastIe head