The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-17
IN THE HOUR OF PERIL.

IIllSlS lIlstG oDSCuIcu LILO Sei anu siOl .
did not clear, but several times devel-
oped into drenchng drlzzle and rain.
while the uncertain wind, as tickle as
maid in her teens, served only at in
tervals to bear the Nord Brandt onward.
This dismal state Of affairs held until
nearly dark, when tho wind died out
entirely, and at eight bells, the close Of
the first dog-watch. not a breath stirred
the VESSELS dropping CANVAS. The fore
and aft sails we're lowered to prevent
chatting, courses were hauled up, and
very soon the watch. like the brig her
self, had fallen into state of doing
This continued nearly until dawn. Too
nervous to sleep. with heart burdened
with those vague approximations which
sometimes precede impending disaster.
and with Emily Somers' name echoing
and re-echoing through his mind. Walton
sat curled under the forward rail, long
ing for daylight. At about the time the
first gray of dawn appeared Ben Logan
came creeping along and dropped be-
lously:
"D.ye hear anything. lad9"
Hear anything. Benz" queried Archie,
wondering at the sallow ghastliness of
the old seamans face what do you
mean?'
Hang your head over the rail, with
your ear toward the water"
Walton obeyed. and presently detected
the faint, far away sound of falling oars.
II do now. Ben" he cried softly.
What does 1t mean?"
The warm-hearted old salt gravely
shook his head.
we've drifted, or our course has been
shaped too nigh the land" no replied.
huskily. That sound Ia made by the
- MT IntY 3.
you don't mean"
Walton could not complete n sentence
so freghted with appalling possibilities,
but Ben seemed to read his thoughts.
"Chinese pirates-aye. lad" he said
sadly. IT'S odds of ten to one"
A momentary feeling Ike that or
deathly sickness fell upon Walton, and
ness, huslsily added, with a suspicious
moisture in his dim eyes:
"But for me you'd not n been here.
lad! fore God I'd give my life II 7
could set We safe back aboard the Wan
derer!'
been for himself His mind had gone
aft to fair head plllowed still In
peaceful slumber. and a heart beating
without thought OF fear. with sudden
pressure of his lips. with swift fire
lighting his splendid eyes, he laid his
hand on the old mans shoulder and
said:
mo more Of that Ben! AS God hears
me, I thank heaven that ] am here.
Therell be one more arm. and no weak
one. to fight for-them'
He could not say for her. That she
was more to him than any other, or
would ever belt was too early for that.
But the sweetness of her face was haunt
ing him. and she had brought home to
:, 1pi,ot ~ hoH civ fret I,n
trod vessels decks. Ben Logan caught
the hand with which he pointed Mt and
wrung K warmly.
"Therell be more'n one arm. lad. to
fight for wimmen agin yonder devils!'
he cried, honrsely. IF the fog holds we
a breeze. I reckon the wind'll be our
tnly chance. Keep quiet, lad. while I
give the alarm.
Soon all was CONSERVATION and sub
dued excitement aboard the Nord Brandt.
The imminence of the danger and its ap-
pallng character can hardly be imagined.
Without, wind sufficient to enable them
to outsail the oar-propelled junk. they
wero practically at tho mercy of her
Tartar crew, which probably would out
number them ten to one, and whose bar
barous cruelty was then traditional the
seas over.
/ Such danger makes all men equal. and
a consultation was Immediately held by
the officers and crew together. To hope
for mercy in event of surrendering the
vessel was deemed utter folly. and 1t
speedily was resolved to offer all posi-
BILE resistance in case of discovery and
attack Arms and ammunition were
.quickly and quietly distributed. and prep
aratons made to give battle or to make
sail, as the emergency might require.
To the score of men gathered in the
vessels waist 1t was a period Of In
nj Tha a l,a ryp
ing sweeps had briefly died away to ST.
lcnce over the port quarter, and though
the mists of the early morning still hung
heavy close down upon the sea. prac-
ticed eye cast upward could discern q
lighter atmosphere. and that with the
rise of the sun the lower mist would soon
be burned away. Under such conditions
discovery would be Inevitable. and escape
dependent upon n wind.
In the midst of the anxious prepare
tons Captain Van Hansen came hurrylng
forward among his men. Perhaps, owing
to his youthful countenance. he pitched
upon Archie as ono least experienced IN
such peris, and better to be spared than
an older man from the first flush OF des-
perate combat
Get aft there. Walton. and man the
wheel!' he commanded, sharply. though
in tones subdued to the need OF the hour.
"Watch out for a. breath from the south,
and take heed you don't lose IT.!
The Instructions were not unwelcome,
and Archie hurried aft. AS he neared
tho poop he passed Lieutenant Vail, 60
ing forward. whose face, despite his naval
breeding, was blanched to deathly white-
ness Walton gave him scarce a glance.
however, but on gaining the wheel threw
down his cutlass beside him., and settled
in his belt tho pistols with which he had
been provided.
He hardly had reached his position when
sal Or NJ n
eagerly beholds one desired, sounded IN
his ears. and Emily somers, pale as mar
bio itself, and manifestly calm only by
rigorous exercise of will. sprang up the
companonway and approached him !.
20. I am so glad you came aft. SIR
she cried huriedly. with an impulsive-
ness that betrayed far more than then
was realized. II know that you at least
will not deceive mel nm sure OF ~
Tell mo the truth-please tell mo the
truth. Is there great danger2"
He felt the trembling OF, her hands
round his arm, and read In her eyes
the maideny fears her courageous. heart
would fain have concealed; but In the