Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-02-02


'If were in your place l would
have them overheard at once. Then
we need fear nothing, for there MS no
ore to betray us, unless" And he
| glanced at me significantly.
ccnsent to it,
ut is surely better that they should
die-three brutes like these-rather
than the sacrifice of so many honest
| men"
l could see that Won NIitschka was
cruelty agitated. The perspiration start
ed Oh his brow, and he hastily wiped it
away as he answered: mo, no! l will
not have it! These men are uncon
demned. 1t would be murder, and we
are not murderers. Fighing is one
thing, assination is another
The skipper growled SON ething inau-
dible under his breath. Before he deft
us Won NIitschka stepped up to him,
whispered a question into his ear, and
received a nod in reply. A CLEAN OF
savage determination cleaned in the
eyes of this strange man as he turned
away.
When we We're about half mile
from the cruiser, the briggs topsails
We're backed, and she was brought
nearly to a standstill. Then a small boat
pulled by four men and carrying one in
the stern, put off, and was rapidly
rowed up to the man-of-war.
The cruiser, which had been going at
half-speed for some time, so as to al
low the two vessels to approach each
other, now stopped; our boat went up
to her side. and we could see that col
loquy was going on between Borieff
and one Of the offers of the Russian
ship. A few minutes passed, and then
the boat put off, and was rowed back
to the brig.
"What does he say?' inquired the
captain, speaking over the side, as soon
as the boat came within hail.
''He says he has no medicine to
spare
Just as well; we didn't want any,"
muttered the skipper. A grim smile
crossed Won NIitschlla's features, and
a swift look passed between the twc
men.
You answered all his questions?'
asked the captain.
Yes; and he seemed to be ssatis-
fed"
The skipper and Won Mitschka ex-
changed a look of relief.
Get in the boat as quick as you can,
and make sail at once.' cried Won
Mischla; and the captain fastened to
obey.
The brig was slowly forging ahead,
when, boom! went another gun; and,
looking toward the cruiser, could see
that large boat, carrying, perhaps, a
dozen II en-. was being showed off from
her quarter 1t was plain that, on sec
ond thoughts, the captain Of the cruis-
err had determined to send an officer on
board the brig.
A groan burst from Won Mitschka's
lips, and he turned to go below. The
skipper went up to him, and l heard
him say: Surely, sir you will now
give orders concerning the prisoners? 2"
way of response.
l followed Won Mitschka below, as l
wished to make one or two prepara-
ticns in view Of the arrest l expected.
AS was passing into my cabin, one OF
the sailors came hurrying down the
comparion-way, and cried out to Won
Mitschka: "Where are the spirits,
sir%
Without answering, Won N1itschka
ran into his cabin, and brought out a
heavy jar, which the sailor carried
away.
Having made my preparations, L
glanced through a port hole. The boat,
filled with men armed to the teeth, was
almost alongside. Foreseeing that the
interview between the naval Ger and
Won NIitschka would probably take
place in the cabin, decided to remain
below; and, five minutes later, l heard
heavy footsteps On the companion lad
der. An officer in Russian naval uni
form, followed by Won Mitschka, en-
tered the cabin.
envy orders are to see your papers.
and, if think it desirable, to search
the ship" said the officer, abruptly.
"rhe ships papers are at your SER
vice, sir, but-search the ship! never
heard of such a thing. What do you
expect to find?"
sNever mind; if there is nothing
wrong with the brig, it won't hurt
YOU
"But YOU have no right to do any
thing of the kind! 1 protest against
this outrage! Russia is not at war, is
she? Who ever heard of searching a
trading vessel belonging to a friendly
nation ON the high seas?
LET me see your papers! l cant
wait here all day!' was the only re-
Spouse vouchsafed.
The papers were produced, and
seemed to be satisfactory. I had no
doubt that they had been procured
from the port the Susannah left before
she went to England.
'Now I want to look over the vessel. y
said the lieutenant, as he handed back
the papers.
Again Won Mitschka, speaking as
owner of the cargo, protested, loudly
exclaiming that he had not a shadow
of right to search the brig.
"No matter" said the officer. Il
must Go my duty
Pardon me-" said W. Mitschka.
''What assert is that it is not, and
cannot be your duty to execute an out
| rage like this"
sHold your tongue, or it will be the
worse for your roared the officer. .