The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-01-07
COPYRIGHT. 1896. BY TIE AUTHOR.

mate, who was in charge of the watch.
uttered an exclamation, and nc the same
moment a rocket was distinctly observed
10 explode some considerable distance
astern. A little later the steady glare
OF a port fire showed. and this was fol-
lowed by another and yet another rocket.
THAT'S from the little craft that was
hanging astern this afternoon" said
the captain to the mate.
She must be signaling US, sir.
There's nothing else in sight
"What could she want with us? Has
q mailbag been omitted? Another rock
etl Bring the ship to, sir, and let us see
what's wrong there.
This was done amid some excitement
on the part of the passengers Even
now in these the first few hours of
their departure from port the monoto-
ny of the deep was felt. Here was to be
a picture by moonlight-a pursuit all
the way from Sydney harbor, some
thing more to look at and think of than
the white splendor flowing to the bows.
''Aft here, my lads, and round in on
the main bracesl Put your helm a-star-
board F"
And amid some stamping, harmo-
nized by song, the ship was brought to
the wind, and Mrs. Peacock, who watch
ed the movements of the men from the
side of Mrs. Storr, on gazing up at the
heavens beheld with establishment that
the moon had changed her position.
A group of the male passengers stood
together ON the quarter and after look
ing one another in the face by the
bright light talked softly.
"What can she be-" says the gentle.
man named Davenire, staring with all
his might into that part Of the sea
where the fireworks had shone.
"Pshaw! Nothing for us to trouble
about" said Mr.. Shannon.
"Doocid odd, though all the same, )"
muttered Captain Trollope; ''just out
from Sydney and chased all the after
noon.
"Any message for us, dye Think"
softly exclaimed the handsome and de-
cayed looking Masters. strolling to the
group.
"I'd be glad to see her sink If 1
thought So" answered Captain Troll
lope.
Here another fellow, with an air of
aimlessness, approached the knot of men
which had you counted them You
would have found ten. On the other
side Of the deck, where the skipper and
mates stood, were the rest of the passen-
gers. Suddenly Captain Trollope. look
ing round, seemed sensible of the char
acter and quality of the group he form
ed one Of.
Come, break upr' he whispered,
and in moment the little company
dissolved, some joining the ladies' 9TH
ers stepping tho deck, others silently
overhanging the rail.
Old Captain Benson raised and let
fall the night glass to and from his eye
with a manner of strong impatience.
He was not used to detention OF TINS
sort. lie felt there was nothing distress
full in. the matter aud seemed TO find
something impudent in a signal that
required him to stop. The night wind
was gentle, full Of dew. 1t blew per
hans four knot breeze, and the old
skipper's heart yearned to brace to lt.
The Snow white sails Of the main curved
stirless to the mast, and there was not
swell enough in the ocean to Hap as
much as the noise of hand clap from
the rest of the cloths.
The Queen lay like IA beacon OF light
upon that sea for the stranger to steer
for. and within 90 minutes OF the ship
having been hove to there came floating
to the vessel, shining Ikea faDrlo
wrought out of the lights OF the deep,
large. powerful cutter shredding the
dark brine into CLEANS and froth.
Down came her great mainsall win
roar of hoops, and while strong voice
was shouting for an end OF rope the
clever little craft glided close in under
the counter. where she lay with three OF
four men in her, all looking up. The
moonlight flashed her white planks lnt'
ivory and painted in clear colors the
f,pure of a man standing near the mast
with a portmanteau beside him. A lei
low, letting 60 the tiller' ran Jew
steps and shouted, looking aloft ut th'
crowd Of faces upon the ships quarter
"Is Captain Benson thereY'
"Aye," said tho captain SLOWLY
"What do you wantT
We've brought off gent wh
FISHES to be put aboard. o.
"Where is he?" said the captain
, "Here," said the man who stood DC
sae the portmanteau, advancing 10 Tn
rail of the cutter II beg you Will al
low me to come on board.
"But what do you want, SIR! shou'
ed old Benson, glaring suspioiousi'
, down at the figure that was dressed II
, a black coat and light trousers ana
soft. dark hat. He was clearly no Official
. "You will not ask me to call out m.
T. business from this low elevation, SIR!
. After "a pause.
"Throw ladder over the slue'
, sung out Captain Benson.
= The man seemed to shake hands VII
! the fellow who had run from the uiier
co,,,o tbonuht the gesture looked