Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-01-16

"a smitiI euSlSu run dlOIG at the gan
end was signal enough to Hardy, who
Immediately threw the brig in the wind.
and the bark slowly floated on to her
quarter
"Mr. Hardy" roared the command.
er, Il Gm going in chase of that boat
III 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.
Il may have to deprive you for the
time of tho services of three of your
men. Send six in the boat. You will
have plenty to work the brig with. If 1
should run out Of sight of you, make
for Halloran island and heave to and
wait for me-
Right, SIR bawied Hardy. And a
minute later all was hurry and hustle
i'll the little vessel.
SIS she the longboat, do you think,
Mr.. Matthew'S said Miss Mansel,
standing beside the mate, who was
again viewing the still distant object
through the ships glass.
Il am certain of il. First of all, she
is ships boat. The coincidence of a
ships boat being adrift down here would
be too extraordinary. Everything tai
lies. We are fast closing the island
She could have left it but few hours,
SO to say. All is happening i'll small
space Of water, aud you may take my
word that Captain Benson's old friends
are yonder.''
Amazing" murmured the girl
"What will Commander Boldock do:
How will he be able to catch them if
they try to escape?''
He approached at that moment to
make known his intentions to Mr. Mat
thews and talked with one hand affec-
tionately but lightly lying on Miss
Mansel's shoulder.
I'VE must catch those fellows by a
ruse, b." said he. "When we are armed,
we will shift helm for the boat. The
bOs'n Trivett must coax them Oh board
by the statement / put into his mouth
You, sir, will keep out OF sight with
the men. William and the Dane will
stand by to show themselves on the fore
castle. The scoundrels must be on board
before the rush is made. Then out you
pour to the signal of my shout
If the rosues shou1d refuse to come
on board, sir!'' said Matthews.
'Our brains are not one barrel ma
Chimes" answered the commander, his
manner tinged with the contempt which
at such a moment a naval officer might
justly entertain for an OK faced mer.
chant mate capable Of asking useless
questions.
He withdrew his hand from Miss
Mansel's shoulder and stepped over to
Trivett, the boatswain Of the brig,
whom he addressed in a very earnest,
decisive manner, talking with plenty of
theatrical gestures, while he frequently
looked in the direction Of the beat.
When he had done with the boatswain,
whose face glowed with a genial intelli-
gence of his commanders meaning, he
hailed the forecastle, and William and
Harry came aft. Them also he addressed
i'll firm tones and dramatic gestures.
do you understand me:" he said.
Just think do, SIR" answered the
Dane, whose face was wrecked with a
grin. In fact. the little sailor saw much
| to amuse him il Commander Boldock' s
| appearance, and though on the eve of a
business that might cost him his life
this wasp of a man could laugh. The
Danes are no towards. towards! Mere
gallant, heroic hearted people than Mel
sons brothers Of the English you
4 ha0 y,,,l 81 \ T.,
searched for them.
ell be armed, suppose, sir:" said
William, to whom the humor of this
passage of his life appealed but family.
Certainly, exclaimed Roldock.
This had bean said while the boat Of
the brig had been coming to the bark
with the arms chest. The oars swept
the lubberly fabric alongside. The chest
| was promptly got aboard along with the
briggs store of cutlasses and quantity
o. powder and shot for the pistols and
| muskets. Three of the men re-entered
the boat and returned 10 the brig, which
| forthwith proceeded OIL her course 70
i HallOran island in obedience to certain
instructions which had been dispatched
by the commander to Hardy. Boldock S
| next act was to order the quarter boat
| out of which the mate and the five sea.
| men had been rescued TO be lowered by
the shackles as she swung at the davits
| that she might be invisible TO the long
| boat. but as she hit the ships weather
sioe al every heave OF the swell, she
was lowered into the water and left 70
! float at her painter.
| The arms chest was opened on the
| quarter deck and the crew summoned
aft. when pistols and cutlasses were
Immediately served cut.
You'll keep Off the forecasts ont O;
sight, men, all but William and Henry
there. Mr.. Matthews Will be in charge
Of you When roar out. you IL run out.
Down with 'em if they resist. even if i,
comes to your splitting them in halves;
otherwise shed 10 more blood than you
can help Iwant to carry those gentle.
men sound in limb and wind and appe
tite to Sydney. Do you understand me
You'll shed no more blood than is to bs
helped,'s the commander said, gazing
with stern significance at the little Dane
whose connteaanoe allowed daxkly il