The Savannah morning news., 1901-02-24
YOU'LL COME TO MY BIRTHDAY PARTY, CAPTAIN"


could not prevail against solid shot, nor
would a whaler's crew be able to beat off
a boarding party of English blue-jackets.
The cry of "Land-ho!" disturbed his ru-
limitations among the mazes of this dis
tressingly familiar, yet discouragingfy I'M
solvable puzzle. A half tangible blur on
the hazy western horizon developed into
a beautiful, semi-tropical islet, wooded to
the glistening white beach Wood and
water were needed for the long passage
home, and, as there were no whales in
sight, he felt his way into the little land
locked harbor to leeward, while daylight
lasted,
Next morning friendly natives piloted
the boats to a tiny stream OF clear sweet
water, cascading over messy Zip of rock;
slow, but handy place to fill casks.
Amos took a party to cut wood, while
Capt Zeke yielded 40 his inveterate Yam
kee curiosity. and sounded the approaches
10 the small haven-whereby he acquired
valuable information.
On the third day a patch of brown
hemp canvass appeared above the cocoa
palms on the sand-spit to the eastward,
and glided smoothly toward the point.
Capt. Zeke watched it anxiously as it
grew and developed, spars and rigging
coming into view. until a trim little 10
gun brig swung round the point and drop
Her yards hardly settled upon the lifts
before the men were on them. Turing sails
with the speed and precision obtainable
only in a naval vessel. The fur.ed sails
unmasked the flag he had so long been
dreading TO see-the British white ensign.
A boat dropped from the briggs quarter
davits, and left her gangway a moment
later, headed for the Betsy Ann.
The crisis had arrived!
Before Capt. Zeke could collect his bad
iy scattered wits, the oars were laid In.
and the bowman had hooked onto a
chaln-plate. A natty little midshipman,
disdaining to call for the rope that was
not offered, sprang nimbly up the side.
Like gaudy tropic bird. he appeared on
the old wha,er's dingy quarterback his
spotless blue cloth and glittering brass
buttons contrasting painfully with the
somber surroundings. He strutted POM
pously aft, favored Capt Zeke with a SUI
percilious glance and, attuning his piping
voice in an authoritative key. askei:
Are you the sailing master Of this
craft?"
NO, l amt" Capt. Zeke replied, ex-
plosively.
The young officer raised his eyebrows
slightly. capped hand to the short dag
ger at his side, and asked with rapidly
Increasing dignity, Where is he?"
There amt any. I'm the captain. II
that's what you mean'
Captain sneered the embryo Nelson.
well, sir, | am ordered by Capt Arm
strong Of His Majesty's brig Grampus to
demand by what right you trespas- on
British territory. Come. now. speak Up.
sharp he added, with another compre-
hensive survey of Capt. Zeke's faded,
patched and herring -boned presence.
British territory hey? You fellers are
getting so you think you own the whole
world"
silence, fellowl None OF your inso-
lence" Numbered the mi 'get. Get in.o
the boat, therel / will take you abolId
with me; Capt Armstrong will know how
to deal with you"
Had his crew been on board, Capt.
Zeke would have been tempted TO holJ
King Georges representative as a host
oge; but they were not. He was ha.f
inclined to refuse to comply with the IN
au'tlng order. n only TO see what would
Come OF II. He Was still more strong
inclined 70 take his tormentor by the
hcck and throw him oyerboard-but there
NAa the boats crew. and also the brig.
~ seemed a caee for discretion; 80. jaws
eitrched and eyes swapping, IN plain sigh
VI DIS own men, he preceded the little
Hs4tleal wasp into the boat.
ordered forward. he worked q devious
pstthge through impeding feet ana elbows
.hd past ma.iciousiy grlnnlng faces, 10
'ie hoF. The weather beaten and frows5
- Betsy Ann had never seemed 10 dear
~ nim oa who the boat showed on ana be-
fsW her rapidly reosdlng-Dorbapa for.
,tfi Before b. Wss through wOndefing
"hnf they would % with blm. ana h0R
l.eenf news ibs briggs eapialn might bavt
W ihe relations between tbG two couu
HtfNf ihE b0af arrived nionFtldr tNn brig.