The Irish standard., 1903-05-30
CHAPTER NN1v.-Cosr1suEp.

Pence We're enjoying an afternoon
nap, but they were quickly aroused
and informed of the situat ion. 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.
81 will shoot that crazy dude full
of holes if he OF his men attempt to
lay hands on mel" he exclaimed. He
reached into his stateroom and pro
duced repeating rifle which he ex-
.amined carefully and calmly.
There were 20 rifles aboard the
yacht. In anticipation of possible
trouble Capt. Baldwin had purchased
a dozen guns at Vera Cruz. These
were 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 u mile
away.
The faces of the men were study.
Hardly & word was spoken. Their
faces were flushed with anger,
rather than pale with fear. In plain
sight was the yacht which had held
them captive for days. They viewed
the ''sharll" as q pirate. Not man
doubted that Hcstor 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 CLINT Of polished
steel. Mr.. Kent recognized it.
"Therc is that rapid-tire 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 a nod
of approval and went forward, TAX
ing a position near the bow of the
boat.
Capt. Baldwin whistled a signal
Shat he would go to starboard.
There was no answer from the
SHARK" Again the "Helen Carmody"
blew a warning blast. In answer the
SHARK ran up flag signal asking
She "Helcn Carmody" to clay to-"
Capt. Baldwin hesitated a moment.
He then gave the word to the engr-
z1eer to so ahead full speed. They
had been running half speed, so as
10 avoid any chance of a collision.
Capt. Baldwin gave q blast to indi-
cate that he would pass the "Sharll"
80 leeward. The "Shark" slightly
changed it's course, and went slowly
ahead parallel to it's rival, but grad
ual]y drawing nearer.
AS they came abreast the "Shark"
was not $50 yards away. Those on
the "Helen Carmody" could see Capt.
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
estantly recognized Walter b. Hestor,
who raised mcgnphone. His voice
sounded sharp and clear
"Stand by; | wish to come aboard"
he shouted.
as the Shark in distrcss?" was
the reply of Capt. baldwin.
>'She is mott" shouted lTcstor.
The two yachts were so close it
was possible to converse without Il
ry1egaphone.
+tStand Off" shouted Capt. Bald
W.T.. 'Stand off! You cannot come
aboard. This is a private yacht,
Bound for New Orleans. Stand off,
or will run you down!"
<'Hello, there. Mr.. ROCKWELL"
shouted lTestor, lifting his cap and
bowling profoundly. did you have
y good time? How are You, Mr.. Nor
TON? You are so tanned ] scarcely
recognized you. How do you do,
Mr.. Kent? Hestoria seems to have
agreed with you! Hello, Sidney!
Kindly tell your friends, Sidney, that
J must have the pleasure of their
company aboard the Shark at once!
They are disarxanging my plans.
Check your yacht and I will send a
launch over after you. There is my
old college ohum, L. Sylvester Vim
cent? How are you, old chapl You
look like the real thing! No nom
sense about this, Sidney! Stop your
boat, or will stop her for you'll"
1tYou keep off our counsel" shouted
Sidney. ''These gentlemen do not
care to see you. Go your way and
do not modest us. You will do so at
your peril Capt. Waters, that man
Is insane. You should put him in
mons and take him to New Orleans.
Are you the captain of pirate ship7
This is Mr.. Carmody's yacht, with
ladies aboard. We demand that we
be allowed to proceed, and request
you to do your duty and turn that
man over to the authorities. He is
q criminal or a lunatic."
II am, am II" shouted Hestor
j, fEe dashed the megaphone to the
bridge and leaped to the lower deck
Jlke flash he jumped to the rapid
lire gun. Capt. Waters yelled an or
-saer. 1t was not finished when there
came spit of fire from the muzzlt
of the gun. Three of the crew dashed
at Hestor.
The same instant there was tn,
crack of rifle from the bow of TIL,
"Helen Carmody."
A dozen bullets tore through tn,
glass and mahogany sides of the for
ward deck house. Sidney Hammond