The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-10-02

middle course. In either case the result
will be the same
Have you sent word to the engine
| room to get up steam?"
eve have had full pressure this hour
past. "
Allie turned to me.
''What do you advise, my husband?"
"There is nothing else for it, . an
| swered, s3but to run the gantlet of them
We must try and get through"
s'Very good, then. Run it shall be.
! Are you satisfied, Mr.. Patterson"
"Quite. Iagree with DR.. De Norman
| Vile; it is our only chance. "
'sThen let us get as close to them as
we can and directly their signals 60 up
race for it. We shall probably be hit,
but we mustn t mind that.
The wind was blowing from the most
favorable quarter, and every moment
! was bringing us nearer to our enemies
So far they had made no sign, but it
was evident now that they were draw
ing closer to each other.
| When we were within easy range,
the second officer reported that the lar
ger of the two cruisers was signaling.
"What does she say?" asked Patter-
son.
The officer put up his glass again,
and having looked studied the admiral
/ ty book lying upon the hatchway.
"Heave to and let me examine you. .
Every kind, indeed said Allie.
"But we're not to be caught in that
way. No, no, my friend, if you want us
you will have to use sterner measures
than that
Patterson gave an order, and present.
~ stream Of bunting was flying from
our own gaff end.
what are you saying?' Iasked when
the signals had unrolled and caught the
wind.
"I'm asking him why he wants to
| stop us?" answered Patterson.
All this time we were creeping up.
between them. Once more signal
broke out, and again the officer report
ed. This time it ran, "Heave to, and
III send q boat" But this was equally
unregarded.
For ten minutes there was no change
save that we had now come up level
with them. Then down huttered the
string Of flags, and at the same instant
q flash Of fire came from the nearest
vessel, followed by 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.
II think SO, " said Patterson and rang
the telegraph. The needle few round to
Full steam ahead, >, and off we went.
Give her every ounce she can car
\ ryp 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 a
frightened stag and cut through the
green water at a furious pace. Then,
seeing our ruse, the cruiser fred. But
either Intentionally or because they had
not accurately gagged our distance the
ball went wide.
We're in for it now,' said Allie.
"This looks as if it will be the most ex-
citing fight in the Lone Star g history. y
IF only we could give them one in
return e ! 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. ssYou know how much
| depends upon you.
AS If she were really aware Of it the
gallant little craft dashed on, throwing
Oft the foam in two great waves from her
outwater and sending the spray in clouds
above her bows The pace was terrific,
and it 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 had 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 on letting US know
their tempers, and two gunscrashed out
almost simultaneously. Again the ball
from the bigger Of the two fell wide,
| Out tuaG ITonl ner ConGOrt was more Sci
entifically aimed, and our fore topmast
came down with crash.
'That's the first blood drawn, /" I said
to Allie as the crew sprang aloft to clear
away the rattle. 81 wonder what the
next will be-
IF we can continue this pace, we
shall soon be out of range she an
swered
"But can we continue it?'' I asked.
THE strain must be enormous. Do you
feel how every timber is quivering un-
der it?''
| AS l spoke Allie turned. and I saw
that Janet had come on deck. With a
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,
Ill., = n 4