Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-01-30

excitsmsnt. II am not afraid. They
cannot hurt us, can they, papa? Let
me stay on deck. want TO see that
awful Mr.. Hestor and his captain"
THAT will not do, Helen" said Mr..
Carmody. Capt. Baldwin is right
4 You join Mrs. White and remain in
the saloon until call you"
Miss Helen glanced appealingly at
Mr Chalmers, but received no en-
couragement in her meditated re-
bellion; SO she obeyed and went to
the lower deck.
Sidney Hammond came rushing for
ward.
"That is the Shark" he ex-
claimed. LET us prepare for trouble.
That maniac means mischief. Where
are the rifles?'
Mr.. Kent, Mr.. Morton and Mr..
Pence were enjoying an afternoon
nap, but they were quickly aroused
and informed Of the situation. Simon
Pence was in an agony Of terror. His
knees sank beneath him and he was
too agitated to speak. Not SO with
Mr.. Kent. His fighting blood was
up in a minute.
4 will shoot that crazy dude fun
OF holes il he or his men attempt to
lay hands on mel" he exclaimed. He
reached into his stateroom and pro-
duced a repeating rife which he ex-
amined carefully and calmly.
There were 20 rifles aboard the
yacht. In anticipation of possible
trouble Capt. Baldwin had purchased
dozen guns at Vera Cruz. These
We're distributed among the men and
the crew. Sidney Hammond was put
IN charge OF the defense-if one
should be necessary. The weapons
were placed within easy reach and
they waited the approach of the
SHARK, !" which was less than mile
away.
The faces of the men were a study.
Hardly word was spoken. Their
faces We're flushed with anger,
rather than pale with fear. In plain
sight was the yacht which had held
them captive for days. They viewed
the SHARK as pirate. Not man
doubted that Hestor was on board,
and that he meant mischief. How
trim and sleek the SHARK looked
as her Prov cut the waves of the
gulf! Her brass work glistened like
gold in the afternoon sun. On her
forward deck was a CLINT of polished
steel. Mr.. Kent recognized it.
There is that rapid-fire gum" he
said In an undertone.
Mr.. Morton bowed, but said moth
ing.
Bernard Seymour examined his gun
methodically. He ran his eye along
the sights and studied the adjust
ment for distance. He spoke quietly
to Sidney Hammond, received nod
of approval and went forward, taxi
ing position near the bow of the
boat.
Capt. Baldwin whistled signal
that Ae would go to starboard,
Where was no answer from tho
SHARK" Again the Helen Carmody''
blew a warning blast. In answer the
3sShaTk' ran up q flag signal asking
the sHelen Carmody' to Hay to-"
Capt. Baldwin hesitated moment.
He then gave the word to the engf-
Reer to go ahead full speed. They
had been running half speed, SO as
to avoid any chance Of collision.
Capt. Baldwin gave blast to indi-
cate that he would pass the .sShark''
to leeward. The SHARK" slightly
changed its course, and went slowly
ahead parallel to it's rival, but grad
ually drawing nearer.
AS they came abreast the sShark"
was not $50 yards away. Those on
sne aHefen tarmody" could see Caps.
Waters on the bridge. The crew was
grouped on the forward deck:
A tall, slender figure in yachting
uniform suddenly appeared by the
side OF Capt. Waters. Sidney In
stantly recognized Walter B. Hestor,
who raised megaphone. His voice
sounded sharp and clear.
"Stand by; fwish to come aboard!"
| he shouted.
SIS the Shark in distressW was
the reply OF Capt. Baldwin.
"She is not!" shouted Hestor.
The two yachts were SO close it
was possible to converse without q
megaphone. u
.Stand OFF, shouted Capt. Bald
win. Stand off! You cannot come
aboard. This is private yacht,
bound for New Orleans, Stand of,
or will run you down!"
Hello, there, Mr.. Rockwell!"
shouted Hestor, lifting his cap and
bowling profoundly. did you have
q good time2 How are you, Mr.. Nor
ton? You are SO tanned scarcely
recognized you. How do you do,
Mr.. Kent? Hestoria seems to have
ngreed with you! Hello, Sidneyl
Kindly tell your friends. Sidney, that
s.