Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-02-25


third officer, who, when he came aboard,
raised his hat respectfully to Allie. In
return she shook him warmly by the
hand and expressed the Joy it was to her
to see the Lone Star again. The luggage
was then conveyed down the gangway
and put aboard one boat, which imme-
diately set off for the schooner. At
Allies desire then called the captain
aft.
Captain Brown" I said, "before we
leave the yacht 1 should very much like
with your permission to say a few words
to your crew."
My request was granted, and the
hands were Immediately summoned aft.
Then, having descended to the cabin for
something WANTED, I prepared to make
little speech.
Captain Brown" said, "oficers
and crew of this yacht, before we leave
you to join yonder craft wish, in my
wife's name and my own, to thank you
for the manner in which you have per-
formed your respective duties. A pleas
anter time than we have had aboard
this yacht during the past six weeks no
one could desire, and now that We are
leaving you I desire to hand you some
little souvenirs of our acquaintance.
Accordingly am presenting to your cap.
tain sum of money which will allow
each man of you e5 when be arrives in
England and to the captain and his
chief officer these two gold ohronome-
ters, which I hope will remind them Of
our short but intimate acquaintance.
When I had finished and had made
the presentations, the captain, on be-
half of the ships company, replied, and
then, amid hearty cheers, we descended
the gangway, took our places in the
boat and set off for the Lone Star.
When we came alongside, we discov-
cred the whole ships company drawn
up to receive us. Patterson was at the
gangway, and, to my surprise, well
coined us with more emotion than had
previously thought his character capable
of exhibiting. did not know until aft
erward that be had become aware by
cable of the dangerous situation from
which we had rescued his leader.
As soon as we were safely on board
the boats were hoisted to the davits,
sail was made, and after an exchange
of salutations between the two yachts
we separated, each proceeding on our
different ways.
Of the voyage across the Indian ocean
there is little or nothing to be told. For
the greater part of the distance fine
weather accompanied us. We sat on
deck or in the saloon, read, related our
experiences, fought our battles o'er
again" and watched the ever changing
ocean.
All next day We were occupied Cross
ing the Java sea, the water still as
smooth as glass and the sun gIaring
down fercely upon us. Naturally we
were all most keen to arrive at the set
tlement and truly rejoiced next day
when Patterson informed Us that by the
evening of the day following we should
be within easy reach of it.
Next morning just after daylight I
was awakened by loud humping at
my cabin door
"Who is there:" cried.
"Walworth. We want you on deck at
once
Pyjama clad though I was, thrust
my feet into slippers and ran up the
companion ladder. l found Patterson
there anxiously awaiting me.
"What is the matter?" asked breath
lessly. "Why did you send for me?"
"If you want my reason, " he said,
pointing over our starboard side, "look
there.
l looked and to my horror saw ahead
of us, commanding the whole strait,
two enormous men. of-war. They were
within six miles of us and were evil
IDENTIFY making preparations for stopping
us.
"What's to be done?" cried. can
other quarter of an hour, and dhey' III
blow US into atoms if we don't heave
to-"
Twill you inform your wife, and
then perhaps We had better hold coun-
Gil of war" answered Patterson.
Without another word went below
and told Allie.
II will dress and come on deck at
once" she said.
went off to my own cabin and has
tily clothed myself. Having done so, l
returned to the deck to find Patterson
looking through his glass at something
astern.
"We're nicely caught" he said on
becoming aware Of my presence.
"There's another of them behind us"
took tho glass and looked for my
self. What he reported was quite cor
rect. We were caught like rats in
trap. Just as returned the glass to him
Allie appeared and joined our group.
"This is bad news, gentlemen, she
said quite calmly. II suppose there
can be no doubt they are after us. What
have you to suggest?"
"It is difficult to say" answered Pat
terson. 1.-Two things, however, are quite
certain"
"What are they?"
1.-The first is that unless we are prepar-
ed to run the schooner ashore we must
60 backward or forward. There is no
middle course. In either case the result
will be the same.''
"Have you sent word to the engine
room to get up steam?"
"We have had full pressure this hour
past"
Allie turned to me.
A. h,,chon dot