The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-02-02
made preparations for turning in

launch, ana, with lOuf JackS, IoOh III
place in the boat. The men were in
excellent spirits after | briefly cX-
planned to them the nature of our work,
and we were soon stcaming along at
fair speed.
The morning was cold, and now that
| had got over the excitement of being
turned out before daylight | was feel
ing chilly. If there is anything that
makes one feel miserable and melan-
cloly, it is that cold, unusual gray OF
dawn. There is an ashy clamminess in
the air which pervades everything and
seems to gain an entrance to ones
vitals.
AS the silver light took possession
of the expanse of deep l could see the
men were narrowly scanning the stretch
of waters for any signs of the boat.
We were running along about nine
knots. This was considered pretty
good then for Il launch.
The little wind had gone down, and
the sea was now quite smooth. Occa-
sionally breeze would pass gently
over the water with just perceptible
ripple. | was thinking now as to how
| would act. I felt pretty confident
about getting the men, but l wanted
the diamond too. Various plans came
into my head. l feared that when the
men caught sight Of us the stone would
be quickly dropped into the sea. l
mentioned my fears to King.
II think, sir" said he, going thl ough
various preliminary maneuvers in the
way of shifting large quil of tobacco
from one cheek to another and wiping
his mouth two or three times with his
hand, Il think, sir, if was you, when
we sights this ere vessel the best
thing will he not to make signal nor
hail them. just run on as if we was
going right past EN- without stopping,
and then bout ship suddenly and round
upon them This will allow us to keep
an eye on their movements
| saw there was wisdom in the old
mans advice, and that his suggestion
was good one. "If we discharged a
gun to signal them to stop, they would
know the game was up, and overheard
would 90 the diamond" added King,
and his remarks were received with
great attention by the rest.
"There she is, sir" shouted one OF
the men, and all eyes turned in the
direction he pointed. "There, just on
the starboard bow"
My glass had scarcely been shut up
five minutes, but sometimes a slight
haze will lift, and in second you will
see what you have been vainly sweep
ing the sea for hours.
THAT'S her, sure enough" l an.
nounced as soon as got my glass Oh
her. She was sailing along slowly
close in to the land could distinctly
see two individuals, who seemed to be
looking toward us. l rather fancy my
own men were disappointed that l
could not see the diamond, for they
glanced at me with an air of expectancy
and the precious stone was the one
idea uplermost In their minds, for two
of them Immediately chimed in with q
remark about it.
Keep steadily to your course
said to the man who was steering.
told the others to sit down, for was
anxious that we should not appear to
be in search of them. Keeping well
ont Of sight myself, train, d my glass
on her and watched all their move
mHnts. As we got nearer | could sec
by their gestures that they were re
garling us with a certain amount o.
suspicion. From what | could make
out they were about 800 yards from
the shore and almost at standstill
but an occasionally puff of wind gave
them headway. On our present course
we would pass them at about 100 yards
distance. My intention was to 90 Oh
as if we were going to pass them anc
then hail them. noticed now thai
the boat was heading for the beach.
Suddenly there was a puff, followed
by the report OF gun. had my
glass on them. but the man was firing
in the direction of the shore, and saw
some wild sea fowl rise. Several shot:
were fired before we were near enough
to hail. wondered what they were
doing.
Have YOU seen similar launch tt
this pass your | shouted as we SLOWED
down.
"Whal?" came over the water
| hailed them again with the same
question. 1t gave us time to edge
nearer
"No!' the two men bawlcd together
easy ahead" | said, and | wavet
nv hand as if | had finished nv bust
ness, and sat down in the stern sheets
TLen gave the order to stop an(
hailed them again.
"What are you firing at?' | shouted
"Wild birds"
NV hat?" | cried in return.
; "Wild birtls!" was bawled again.
ANY good sport?' asked in 4 lower
tone of voice.
! Cant hear!" they shouted.