The Princeton union., 1900-12-06

-HlJ RSDlA- Z ], DECEMBER3
chief did you get here, and are you GER
tain about the papers?'
All that will keep, man. AS to the
papers, ask Captain Sherborne He
knows what became Of them.'
Il will not be a party to this. saw
you throw certain papers overheard
which still believe you stole''-
Captain Wood will answer for that
to the proper persons, and so will you
as to any charges you bring" interpos-
ed Swete Thornhill stiftly. "You can
rely on that. We shall proceed straight
to New York ahead of you, and you
shall be met by the British consul and
other authorities"
"That is all wanted to say" cried.
Get there first and set everything in
trim-you understand Mr.. Snuyzer. 1
am In hopes that the others do not
know or have no more than suspicion
or what has happened, and we should
be able to arrest them on arrival"
We'll do our best, captain, you bet,' -
law will let us. Our Mr.. Sidney Sara
band will work it if it's to be done.
But II we save your property from
these sharks their only offense was
committed on British soil, and there
may be muss. Anyway it's plain we
need not detain this fine vesser'-he
bowed to the captain-"now things are
satisfied. You're safe, for which we
may be truly thankful, if I may say so,
and there's nothing left to do till we
make the shore. Look out for us, cap
tain. Some of us, guess, will run out
to meet you in special steamer just
inside Sandy Hook"
Again we shook hands all round, and
promised them, the captain included
who was now very much on his good
behavior, the best dinner to be had
for money in New York. The Victrix
would be there if all went we'll in some
30 hours more the Chattabpochee in 4S
to 30, and these figures proved to be
pretty correct in the issue.
l made no change in my arrange
ments for the rest of the, voyage, but
kept to my own part of the ship except
IN the evening hours, which l spent in
blissful tete-a-tete with Frida. What
passed between us is no concern Of anv
but ourselves
We passed Sandy Hook in the fore
noon Of Sunday, and it was understood
that we should be alongside the wharf
by or at latest 3 p. III. Already there
was a great flutter among the passen-
gers, those Of the saloon in particular,
and symptoms of coming change. They
appeared in their smartest clothes. CON-
ing out with extraordinary splendor, as
though for fete or garden party-new
costumes, new hats, much jewelry. l
heard, too, curious expressions banded
freely about-''dutiable, what to de-
clare" and so forth. and l was told
that the customs examination was
greatly dreaded by almost ALL
The excitement grew intense when
small steamer was sighted bearing
down on us at full speed. and some
cried, "The customs boat" as she ran
alongside. and we were quickly board
ed by great crowd. l thought the
eagerness Of these American officials
very remarkable and in strong contrast
with our slow moving, dignified GUS
tom house people. But l soon saw my
mistake as these new arrivals ran,
raced indeed. to the hurricane deck,
pushing and jostling and catching at
each others coattails, laughing and
shouting boisterously: ''Where is hep
"Trct him out" I'VE want the young
British Cresus. Give US a sight of
fortunes spoiled favorite. William Are
tas Wood"
They were reporters. and they We're
come to interview the wrong man. For
l stood aloof. watching and highly
amused, knowing that when Snuyzer
appeared the tables would be swiftly
turned on the conspirators, who had no
doubt planned all this by cable in ad-
vance. Now my double, the false Will
liam Wood, stepped forward and began
a set speech. evidently carefully pre-
pared.
l heard the opening sentences as
went aft, determined to end this auda-
cious farce. Rossiter saw me coming
and would have stopped me. but l
pushed past and, getting in front of the
assembled mob, cried:
"This is all a mistake. am Captain
Wood
l was interrupted with jeers and loud
yells, and some one said, Throw him
overheard" and others cried. "Order,
order" 'Chair, chair!" on which rose
louder cry: Back to the tug! We'n.
carry him right ashore" There was
S@
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