The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-01-13

ping, 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 man s
advice, and that his suggestion was good
one. eff we discharged gun to signal
them to stop, they would know the game
was up, and overheard would go the dia-
mond, 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 star
board bow.
My glass had scarcely been shut up FIVE
minutes, but sometimes slight haze will
lift, and in a second you will see what you
have been vainly sweeping the sea for
hours.
That's her, sure enough, announced
as soon as got my glass on her. She
was sailing along slowly, close in to the
land. | could distinctly see two individ-
uals, who seemed to be looking toward u.s.
| rather fancy my own men were disap-
pointed that could not see the diamond,
for they glanced at me with an air of ex-
pectancy, and the precious stone was the
one idea uppermost in their minds, for two
of them Immediately chimed in with a re-
mark about it.
''Keep steadily to your course, I said
to the man who was steering. | told the
others to sit down, for I was anxious that
we should not appear to be in search of
them. Keeping well out of sight myself,
trained my glass on her and watched all
their movements. As we got nearer /
could see by their gestures that they were
regarding us with certain amount of sus-
picion. From what [ could make out
they were about 800 yards from the shore
and almost at standstill, but an occa-
sionally puff of wind gave them headway.
On our present course we would pass them
at about 100 yards distance. My inten-
ton was to go on as if we were going to
pass them and then hail them. l noticed
now that 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 direc-
ton of the shore, and I saw some wild sea
fowl rise Several shots were fired before
we were near enough to hail. wondered
what they were doing.
s'Have you seen similar launch to
this pass you?'' | shouted as we slowed
down.
"What p came over the water.
I hailed them again with the same
question. 1t gave us time to edge nearer
"No p the two men bawled together
easy ahead, I said, and | waved my
hand as if I had finished my business, and
| sat down in the stern sheets.
Then | gave the order to stop and
hailed them again.
s'What are you firing t?'' I shouted
ssWild birds
''What p / cried in return.
s'Wild birds T. was bawled again.
ssAny good sport ?" | asked in a lower
tone of voice.
''Can't hear p they shouted.
| motioned that I would come nearer,
and the launch came round and we ran
down to them. As we did so I saw the
men who had the gun raise it with careful
aim and fire in the direction of mound
on the shore. Again some birds rose at
the report.
'sPut her alongside, King" and l mo-
toned to King to take the helm. "You
three jump into the boat and secure these
men as soon as we touch
Now was the exciting time. They had
thrown nothing into the water so far, |
was certain Another minute, and we
would have them 'tLet her come gently
alongside" said to King, and | gave the
order to ease her. The diamond was
within reach.
''We are just having little shooting,
and thought of landing here, remarked
the man with the gun, but he eyed me
suspiciously.
sfWhat kind of birds are there about
here p asked casually. We were within
a couple Of yards, and was preparing for
the spring. Before he could finish his re-
ply we were on them, and the two men
were pinned to the bottom of their own
boat felt relieved, for | was fairly con-
fident of success. They admitted that
they were from Durham, but denied all
knowledge of the diamond. They had
heard of its theft, but they were not the
men. OF Course we did not believe that,
and rigid search at once commenced.
The men were stripped and every inch of
clothing examined, but no diamond. Hav-
ing finished for the time being, we tran
shipped them to the launch and began
strict examination Of the sailing boat. We
took up the bottom boards and broke up
the seats and fittings, but without success.
The two men stormed and threatened and
swore they were merely pleasure party
and vowed summary vengeance for the out
rage, as they termed it.
1 was greatly disappointed at the result
Of the search, but King grinned and whis-
pered in my ear and advised that 'se should
return to the ship. We watched every
movement of the men on our way back.
could see my own men we're disappointed,
but their faces frightened up when King
whispered to them what he had told to me.
Every now and then one of them would
come out with a guffaw, and the rest
would smile.
The two prisoners were very indignant
at first, but they soon recovered and took
matters very coolly. One of them asked
permission to smoke and opened small
box of cigars that we had brought from
the boat, which was now being towed by
us. Smoking led to talking, and found
that they were really very pleasant fellows.
The diamond, they said, was called the
"South African Prince and would be
worth quite Ell, 900, and considerably more
perhaps if the cutting turned out well.
They repudiated the charge of theft, but
that they had just come from