The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-08


"a boat going off to the Enterprize?"
he broke in quickly. II thought as
much. They told me half-past eight,
and I've kept the boat waiting till l
was tired. Come along now," he con-
tinued; there's no time to lose. The
moon will be up in two hours; and we
must be well under way before that,
IL we mean to drop down without too
many eyes on our movements"
There was something hearty even in
the low tone in which he spoke, and fol-
lowed him readily along the duslfy
wharf. Looking over, ! saw what
seemed TO be steam launch lying
alongside small fight of steps that
went down nearly TO the water. al
though, judging by the number of steps
that were bare, the tide appeared to be
low. My companion whlstled twice,
and then, taking my travelling bag from
me, said, good-naturedly: You'll want
all the sea legs you've got going down
here in the dark, SO you'd better let me
have this" / accepted his offer. and
managed to find my way down the slip
perry stairs, and on board the little
craft which swayed gently up and down
at the bottom. There seemed to be sew
cral seamen on board, Besides heap OF
boxes and parcels, which took to be
provisions, but my conductor quickly
cleared seat for me, and in another
minute our fastenings had been quiet
ly cast off, and the gurgling splash OF
the screw told rue that had actually
started on my adventure.
leaned back and watched the misty
shore, with it's moving diorama OF
shadowy masts and mysterious outlines
of wharves and hulls. through which
there twinkled points of light, sur
rounded by halos of mist. Once fairly
off. however, our little craft went well,
and the shore. with its ghostly masts
and FREELY sparkles, slid past us rapidly.
Now and then vessel ut anchor in the
stream loomed up with startling sud-
denness out of the mist, and then as
quickly melted In the misty darkness
behind. II was a good night for our
purpose, II that was, as i supposed, to
get away without attracting the atten-
ton of the revenue cruisers that were
on the watch.
We had been under way for half an
hour. during which had been left en-
tirely to my own reflections. when sud
denly something dark rose out of the
water ahead OF us. and my companion,
who had been steering, gave the order
20 slacken speed. In another minste
we were floating quietly under the lee
OF a steamer, from the deck of which
lights flashed out through the mist, and
sounds OF active work rose with hum
into the darkness. The man at our bow
had caught with boat hook at some
thing. end our launch swung close
alongside. where rope ladder hung
dangling from the bulwarlk overhead.
"Now, then, sir. here you arc al last"
exclaimed my companion. cheerfully.
laying hold Of the swinging ladder to
steady IL rs he spoke. "I'll bring your
traps aboard In minute. Up yon go!"
I craspcd the unsteady ladder, and. find-
inc 10 easier than IL looked. / reached
the deck in n moment. The scene thnt
met my eyes was an animated one.
There were plenty Of lights. though
none above the level W the bulwarks--
and men were hurrying TO and fro. car
rying loads on. their shoulders. II took
-Aeme- -seeaaA-i4- -ssraw accustomed 70
the light. bu'. ~ scrr Isl did 50. saw
that goods we're transferred 90
our deck from tEa 'fnothcr steamer
which lag alongside crewnsno want
Of hands 90 do the g. grs. aud even by
the misty light that flashed on them
from the deck lanterns. thought they
looked very unlike the ordinary type OF
ssa:ren or dock laborers. watched
them With iEtercst for q minute. from