The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-08-28

'N ''S "oOuIbl' III VIC /
gone Oh this trip?"
I'm %listenin', Elisha" she reptile,
as she laid a hand on his arm. Can
you catch the sound of oar locks OF
here to the NORTH"
Its some noise in the hold" ht
answered, after listening a minute.
No, it's not. Thcre-there-don'
you catch ito"
BY Josh, | do. Yes, it sounds like
oars at work, but how on earth cal
a boat be out there?"
4 dunno, but there is one. Now you
git the sounds palmer. It's a boat,
tell you, and she's pulling at least -four
oars. She must be from a wreck, anC
you'd better light a lantern and lash
it in the riggin' to guide EN-"
A lantern was procured and placed
as suggested, and it had scarcely
thrown its light over the waters when
there was a hail from half-a dozen
threats at once. Capt. Hopewell
answered it, and within five minutes
every one Of the crew of the Mary
Ann was on deck and wideawake with
curiosity.
The halls were repeated at intervals.
the sound of the oars came nearer, and
at the end of half an hour a big yawl
with II men and their %dunnage in it
drew alongside the Mary Ann.
BY Josh, then, but it's a crew of
Dutchmen:" exclaimed Capt. Hopewell
as he peered down in the boat.
He was right. They were big and
sturdy men who had sailed out of the
Texel, and it was quickly discovered
mat not one OF them could speak Eng
liSh. Each Il brought his bag of
clothing over the rail with him, but
water and provisions were left be-
hind.
A man who was doubtless the mate
OF the crew advanced to Capt. Hopewell
and entered into a long explanation.
not one word of which was under
his ship had sprung a leak and that
he had been obliged TO abandon her.
He was made to understand that
they were welcome and would be
landed in London, and by and by the
- Of them Withdrew iii d body and
stretched themselves on deck and went
to sleep. Nancy had looked into the
faces of all in a critical way, and while
the Dutch mate was telling his story
her yes lever left his face.
When the strangers had withdrawn
she descended to the cabin and in a
few minutes later Capt. Elisha fol-
lowed her and said:
Nancy. I'm jigsered if this isn't 4
funny thing. | can't say that things
look exactly right to me-"
I'll tell you what, Elisha she re-
piled in her quiet way. "If a ship had
on fire or in a sinkin' state them
men would never have brought all
their clothin' and heaped in the water
and provisions they did"
mo, by Josh, they wouldn't, but
how do they come to be afoat?"
Dunno, but there's a mystery about
t. There's the hull crew except the
How did he come to be left
And didn't vnn notice how
he men looked the brig over and kept
iodgin' and w~hisperin'? I'm believin'
We shall have trouble with 'em,
but they can't be pirates"
Probably not"
And there's no war between u.s."
mo, but we can't make out their
tory, and | do believe that mate was
vim all the time. l wish he hadn't
hown a light and brought them
board.' l.
The Dutchmen were tired with their
ull at the oars and slept soundiy till
he morning watch of the Mary Ann
ras ready to wash down decks. Then
hey rose up, yawning and stretching,
the last was hardly on his feet
efore the breeze came. Sail was made
t once, and as the Mary Ann laid her
curse Capt. Hopewell called the cook
TT to see about preparing breakfast
the extra men.
He had his eye OF the strangers at
same time and noted that they had
altered in a bunch and were whisper
lg together. Their yawl was a big
nd clumsy boat, provided with oars
nd sail, and as there was no room
q the deck of the brig to stow it the
aptain went forward and tried to
AXE the Dutch mate understand that
lie contents should be hoisted aboard
nd the yawl sem adrift.
FIe made himself clear enough, but
) IL his words and gestures had been
signal the II Dutchmen at once
orang upon the of the Mary Ann,
| of whom were on deck. They were
out, determined men, and the move
so sudden that ne resistance was
ade.
Nancy heard the scufffiie ard appeared
deck to find Capt. Elisha and all
IS men prisoners. They were pris-
lers, and vet they were not bound.
hen they made no struggle, the
utch mate took off his cap to Nancy
sought to make it clear to the
hers that they were to be SEN adrift
the yawl.
wall, dye understand what he's
Twin att" asked Capt. Elisha as he
rned to Nancy.
Fl do Elisha. she replied, "and I'm
IT a bit surprised. They mean to
IN us adrift, and go sailing away