Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-08-24

entlrcy out or sight.
Jones calculated their position to be
about 40 miles south of the island Of
Cortland. They had to decide whether
to pass it cast or west. East was no
doubt shorter and in tempestuous
weather safer. On the other hand. 1t
brought them nearer the Russian coast
and within reach of Russian cruisers.
Jones, the sailing master, thought fit
TO put in judcious word. ain case Of
trouble, sir, inside Cortland would be
most convenicntlikc."
That decided it. Desmond rounded
on him with all the evaporation born
of good and unwelcome advice.
"In case Of trouble, Mr.. Jones! Great
heavens! What trouble"
"Wcll, sir, they say nj: aa
"Who say? And what|
"Wcll. sir it was limited by man on
the quaysidc at Copenhagen to Muir
ply, the cockswain there. that war
was imminent"
War imminentw stormed Desmond.
wars going on Were not Turkish
gunboat, but an English yacht"
mo, sir, but they say that England
and France
"rhank you. Mr.. Jones. IF we're to
run this cruise according to the fat
headed imaginations of every docksde
loafcr who airs his secondhand opin-
Ions, I'll let you know. At present
when ! want advice I'll ask for It,
Outside passage. please. Mr.. Jones, and
stand well out to eastward" delivering
which command. with great show of
imperious discipline, Desmond return
ed along the deck to his companion.
He had good deal Of the air of
Cochin China who has had his feathers
rutIied by an absurd disagreement with
a bantam.
Thus again was the fate Of the foray
decided by a trivalty, this time sim
ply the oflicousness OF well meaning
and perfectly well advised old seaman.
All that day they swung along, meet
ing only couple Of merchantmen I'M
der Swedish colors and. as they drew
nearer the Cortland coast. country
boat or two. The early dark was just
beginning to fall as they sighted two
vessels to starboard. one much nearer
than the other and on to the Swedish
coast.
AS they drew near the first one the
yacht showed English colors. In an
swer the stars and stripes crept up the
strangers flag halyards, and to the
English hail came the reply:
"Jemima OF New London. Bremen
to Stockholm. Russian gunboat astern.
| Think war is declared with England.
We have contraband."
Jones slapped his leg and snorted
triumphantly, THAT Is the trouble
spoke of, sir"
well, Mr.. Jones'" snapped the ex.
| asperated Desmond, what IL it Isl
D'you think Pm to be stopped by
twopenny halfpenny Russian gunboat?
If war is declared. l shall stop and
take her"
Excuse me, SIR" said the skipper.
sion to levy war. Neither nor the
men signed as combatants."
! 1t Is impossible to say what reply Mr..
Jones' pusillanimity would have evolv-
ed. Desmond's mouth was agape with
| winged words, which in another mo-
ment would have been fitting sulphur
ously round the shippers head. At
that moment rending crash pcalcd
across the waters from the other ship.
He wheeled about and looked toward
her anu sa " that disaster had befallen.
| Her deck was Uttered with splintcrs,
Cordage and tapping canvas. Her fore
topmast had given under the press of
sail. She lay prey to the Russian as
easily is a shot wild duck to re-
| triever.
| Desmond swore aloud. "Well, my
fine fellow, you've got to fight now.
Bring us alongside and let's hear the
rights of the case
Jones spread out his hands and began
to stammer. Il must protest.
| Desmond rounded on him like fash.
"May ! remind You that | have n
board Of trade certificate and am mas
ter Of this vessel? BY gum, if you
don't bring us alongside in two shakes
of a dogs tail, I'll have you in irons
for mutiny, you lily livercd cook"
| They slid up to within threescore
fathoms Of the other vessel. Mr..
Jones expressions were varied and pc
culiar and his glances astern numer-