The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-03-27

his neighbors, that no credence was
given TO the assertion. The ships boats
often went out for long rows on the
river. ostensibly-as the captain told
the rajah, who inquired susDiciOusly
about the meaning of these excursions
for the sake of giving the crews act
i've exercise. but principally in order to
take sOuEdlnss of the river. and to in
vestiGate the size and positions of the
creeks running into il. One day the gig
and cutter had proceeded farther than
usual; they had started at daybreak,
and had turned of into what seemed
a very small creek, tia had hitherto
been UNEMPLOYED, as from the width of
its mouth il was supposed to extend
but a short distance into the forest.
The masters mate was in command
of one boat. the second lieutenant OF the
other; Harry Parkhurst accompanied
the latter. Ate" pushing through the
entrance to the creek, the boats roWed
on for some distance. For half a mile
the width was but some Is yards, and
the trees met in an arch overhead, then
il widened considerably.
This is just the sort of place" the
lieutenant said to Harry, where the
rajah's prahus may be hidden away.
We had best get along as noiselessly as
possible. If we were to come upon them
suddenly they might fire upon us, and
we should catch sight of them it would
be best To take the news to the captain,
and let him act as he thinks fit
He ordered the men to cease rowing
until the gig came alongside.
Mr. Morrison, he said. 1t seems to
me that this is a likely place for the
prahus TO be hidden. We had better try
and discover if this be the case, with
out being ourselves seen; therefore,
have all the oars except four laid in,
and let the men mu1tle those with their
stockings, and be most careful 10 drop
them into the water without making
splash. Let absolute silence be pre-
served in the boat. l will lead the way,
as before, and if 1 hold up my hand
stop rowing instantly"
''Ay, ay, sir" the mate replied.
The same precautions We're taken by
the cutter, and the boats proceeded
noiselessly. Presently the stream mar
rowed again, until it seemed that they
were approaching its termination, and
the boat stopped rowing.
Il fancy We have come TO the end OF
it, Mr. Morrison, !" the lieutenant said, in
low voice.
L am afraid so, too, sir; there is no
room for the oars, and we shall either
have to punt the boats, or TO drag them
by the bushes"
The lieutenant was about to give the
OfuEI 10 LuilA AA4IAA nan SeSias 9NN---A--
~: 'Therdis a current, sir. l have had
my eye upon that root, and We nave
drifted backwards a couple of feet since
we lost way, so there must be stretch
or water above US.
The lieutenant watched the root of
the tree to which Harry had Doiated,
for a minute, in silence; then he said:
You are right, my lad, there is cur
rent, and, as you say, there must be
stretch of water above us. Lay in your
oars. lads: stand up, and pull her along
By the boughs and bushes, but don't
make the slightest sound
Twenty yards futher the creek widen
ed, and the oars were again got out
Take your place il the bow, Mr.. Park
hurst, and hold up your hand the in
slant you see anything unusual, and do
yQH. men, be ready to hold her up the
instant i give the order"
They proceeded for Il quarter Of a
mile. the gig following close behind.
Suddenly at a bend in the stream a
glare of light was seen ahead. Harry
held up his hand and passed the word
down in whisper that just ahead the
creek widened into a broad sheet of
water. The lieutenant stepped the gig
by holding up his hand, passed the or
der for the men TO lay in their oars
noiselessly, and told the coXswain to
keep in well under the bushes on the
left-hand side; then ne made his way
forward and Joined Harry, telling the
men to pull the boat forward by means
of the branches overhead. which were
well within reach, but TO avoid break
ing even a twig.
In a minute or two the bow of the
boat arrived at the end Of the screen of ;
bushes, and q low exclamation broke I
from the Lieutenant and Harry stimuli /
taneously. They were looking out on 10 /
an almost circular pool some 200 yards /
in diameter In the center were moored |
six prahus. Two of them lay broadside /!