The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-07-19


string Of flags, and at the same instant
vessel, followed by a cloud Of white
smoke. Almost at the same instant a
sharp report reached our ears.
"A blank cartridge to show that they
mean business, - answered.
Hadn't we better go ahead!" Allie
remarked.
81 think so, +" said Patterson and rang
the telegraph. The needle few round 10
Full steam ahead - and of we went.
''Give her every ounce she can car
ryw shouted Patterson down the speak
| ing tube, and the engineers proved fully
equal TO the occasion. Before very long
the whole fabric of the vessel trembled
under the pressure. She Quivered like
frightened stag and cut through the
green water at furious pace. Then,
seeing our ruse, the cruiser fired. But
I either Intentionally or because they had
not accurately gagged our distance the
ball went wide.
We're in for il now" said Allie
"This looks as if il will be the most ex-
citing fight in the Lone Star history "
90 If only we could give them one in
return!'' / said longingly. However.
we can't stop for that. So go on, little
barkie, cried enthusiastically, pat
ting the bulwark with my hand as if TO
encourage her. You know how much
depends upon you"
AS if she were really aware Of it the
gallant little craft dashed on, throwing
of the foam in two great waves from her
cutwater and sending the spray in clouds
above her bows. The pace was terrific,
and il seemed already to have dawned
upon the cruisers that if they wanted to
catch Us they must be quick about it.
By this time we bad run between them,
and therefore they had to turn round
before they could pursue Us, which
meant start for Us that was Of the ut.
most Importance in our race for free
dom.
Before they attempted to turn, how
ever. both decided Oh letting Us know
their tempers, and two guns crashed ont
almost simultaneously. Again the ball
from the bigger Of the two fell wide,
but that from her consort was more sci
sntifcally aimed, and our fore topmast
came down with crash.
That's the first blood drawn, " said
TO Allie as the crew sprang aloft 10 clear
away the rattle. Il wonder what the
next will be. "
II we can continue this pace, we
shall soon be out Of range" she an
swered.
But can we continue it?'' | asked.
1.-The strain must be enormous. Do you
feel how every timber is quivering IN
der it!''
AS | spoke Allie turned, and | saw
that Janet had come on deck With
white face she looked at the two vessels
behind US and asked what their presence
meant.
1T means, " said Allie, going TO her
and assuming possession Of her hand,
THAT England is determined to try and
have the Beautiful White Devil after
ALL"
but she shan't, said Janet Loyalty,
mot if l have TO keep her off with my
own hands. -
Bravo my sister," l cried enthusi-
asticaIly. That's the sort of spirit we
boast aboard this boat. Never fear,
we'll slip them yet, won't we, Alie?'
The girl answered rue with q smile
that went to my heart, SO brave and yet
so sad was it,
BY this time the men-of- war had
turned and were In full pursuit of us,
but we had the advantage of a start and
were momentarily increasing our lead
Again one ship fired, but as we were all
steaming too fast for correct aiming the
ball did no damage. After that they
saved their powder and concentrated all
their energies on the task of catching
Us. All the morning we steamed on and
by o'clock were good ten miles
ahead.
IF we can only keep this pace up till
dusk, think we may manage to give
them the slip after all, 4" said Allie, GO
ing to the taffrail and looking behind
her at the pursuing ships.
Their commanders seemed to realize
this, too, for they once more began TO
try long shots at US. But though two
fell very close no harm was done.
hbOub man p1Sb % abetioOn itlb thc
bridge and came down TO where we
were sitting aft. He held chart in his
hand, and when he came up with US he
knelt down and pinned it to the deck.
May draw your attention to this
chartT' he said as soon as his prepare
tions were complete. lyon will remem-
Der that the first time we were ever
chased i: was in this very place. Well,
on that occasion we managed to escape
by taking this channel between these
two reefs. Our pursuer, as doubtless you
have not forgotten, drew too much wa.
ter and could not follow us. Now, If
you are willing to chance it we might
try the same plan again.
what do you thinks" asked Allie,
turning to me. 1T is desperate risk
to run, but then we must remember
that we are In desperate position.
/ i kuelt down unou tho deck and care