The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-22
8 THE JOURNAL Jul
Tn TIE Wa$p'$n e$t
BY CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY.
copyright, 1902, by Charles Scrbners Sons)
CHAPTER 1.-THE BOSTON cHAsEs A STRANGER.


CHAPTER 1.-THE BOSTON CHASES A STRANGER
CIT UMBI,E up here Lively now!'' officer
of the watch, picking his along the star
board gangway port sprawlng in
sleeping on deck under the lee
boats and topmass dashed amidships. Mr. Bakey
he added looking to the topgalant forecase where
very young midshipman dignity first
nland strung fro the deck, his hand
lingering hanging by "obge
by sending the topsl yard srthe best man
you in the forecastle."
be Lang, pped up the small midshipman,
touching huge
Lang he called out.
.Ay ay growled deep bass voice as the figure
of brawny sailor disengaged itself from sprawng heap
of who in obedience to the Heutenants
already rising feet rubbing eyes,
Ing and striving to shake off the sleepiness that still
sessed them
.cood mornin', Mr. Bakey" said the sailor approach
ing the Looks like mornin goin'
sir he added sweeping the skyline in comprehensive
glance. WAS you calm me, sir?'
There disrespect in familiarity with which
the addressed the mdshpman for the rea
ton pleasant
which subsisted between sailors of
the extremely youthful mdshpmen Of
that period who occupied anomalous station
officers.
Jack Lang then fifty old. originally
from New Brunswick, New Jersey When a young he
privaeersman revolutionary after
serving under Cunningham in the Surprise and Re
in British with his
gallant commander, and
had reached Lorient in time to enter the Bonhomme
Richard take part Paul cruise and the
battle which resulted in the the Scraps
Lang huge proportions. indicating great
bodily strength and vigor unusual in a ma
Deep rich brown by his
of to wind and weather in AS he stood
gallant forecastle with folded little trick
position which balancing himself easily to the slow
rolling pitching of ship in the gentle breeze of the
anguid morning he looked the picture of the bold skill
full American sailor
Lang my man." said Blakely, throwing
out Importantly and thrustng of his
jacket, conceived impressive but
which greatly the sailor and the officer of the deck
shin to the topsl yard want pair Of sharp eyes
ships Of the enemy"
VERY good, sir" returned the old smiling behind
We expectin to raise this mornin?'
fault tendency to loquac1ty which
sisted in spite of much by the officers
Lang! sharply called the amused watch officer clam
the ladder to the gallant forecaste Bear
hand! Wen discuss your expectations later
cay, sir" answered the sailor promptly not presum-
ing to hesitate moment in the Of such reminder
from the older and experienced officer whose near
he had not noticed.
He sprang into the weather
the sailor the shrouds rapidly
and easily as if they had been pair OF stairs Swinging
himself the futtocs he presently gained the foetopsa
Graspng the tye with hand and shading his eyes
erect the yard leaning forward
and peerng earnestly around the stretch of gray sea-
Off n the day already beginning break Be-
ships bell struck the two couples which
claimed that it six o'clock The would soon be up
carefully with his practiced
eyes any indication of ship However the morning
too little advanced for the horizon be clear and he
1T been long watch Mr. Blakely' said the lieu
the watch yawnng seeply you have moth
ing forward suppose?"
Nothing, SIR Bakey, sauting his
''elseI should have reported it to you at once"
you've the making of fine officer in some day.
nv lad said the older man. smiling laying his kindly
upon boys bright lookout always, Mr.
Blakey It's good rule on the sea- good rule
there' said the lieutenant, going forward
between knight-heads and looking at Lang 'Dye
anything there?"
mo, sir the man; leastways amt sure
Mebbe-Sail ho!' he shouted, suddenly.
cried the officer his 1anguid manner in
disappearing he Strengthened and listened for
the reply
Right ahead, sir!'
you make out?'
.Not yet sir. light enough"
"Go the to'-gallant yard and try if
anything Mr. Blakey step aft to the cabin
Give my compliments to the captain and tell him raised
sail right ahead"
''Sa ho!' again floating the topsai
yard
keep fast, Mr.. Bakey. loft there! What do you
mean?"
st another sail, sir There's 'em sir. Close
together. Hull down.
Say to Captain Little that two sail
Evidently sailing Mr.. Blakely," officer
tell the fetch
glass;