Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-12-26
Econtined from page 81
esp.r.IAs. leoO. y c.lAnts scRlBR.s sOes

There's no one there, my lord!
They've gone-escaped, sir!'
'Impossiblev' exclaimed Pearson.
"Escapedw said the admiral, turning
to the captain. Had you no sentry to
watch them, sir?"
eyes, my lord, certainly" said Pear
son.
"Let him be tried and shot forth.
with, then, for gross neglect of duty in
permitting
'My lord, the sentry is innocent"
interrupted Coventry. II replaced
him. alone am guilty"
"Worse and worse! You knew they
escaped, STRIP said the admiral
II did. Twas to prevent discovery
took his place." replied his son, bow.
ing. Captain Pearson opened his
mouth to speak, but his superior ST.
fenced him with wave Of his hand
A bitter fight ragged in the old mans
bosom, but he saw his duty and knew
1t must be done. There was long and
awful pause. When the admiral spoke
again it was in an altered tone. He
had regained his self control.
Captain Pearson" he said slowly
and deliberately in strained and un-
natural voice, "let the court martial
which passed judgment upon the 1pris-
oner be reconvened at once to try Ma
jor Edward Coventry for disobedience
Of orders in time of war, for aiding and
abetting the escape of an enemy and
for knowingly declaring forged order
purporting to bear my signature to be
correct-in short, for conduct unbecom-
ing an officer and gentleman"
Surely not that last, my lord" said
coventry. impulsively raising his hand
In depreciation.
The admiral hesitated. looking long
and earnestly at his handsome son.
"You may leave off the part about con-
duct unbecoming an officer and gen.
tleman, Pearson. he answered. ,.- b,
'"Thank you, sir" said Coventry
gratefully.
"Good heavens, my lord!' cried Pear
SON. '"The punishment is death!
pray your
Silence, STRIP he cried sternly. You
have your order. Shall be more mer-
ciful to this gentleman, than to the poor
marine / would have had shot mo-
ment SINCE for less than he has doneY'
"But he is your son. Have mercy on
him, my lord1s
$50 much the more imperative that
he should receive justice, not mercy,
from me. Besides, from this hour he is
no longer son Of NINE" said the old
man infexibIy 'Let the prisoner be
confined under double guard; you will
see that he at least does not escape
you"
"It is just" said Coventry, no less
resolutely than his father Il expected
1t. 1t was for her did it."
There was a sudden hustle upon the
deck forward
"Sail no! Light no! Light hop rang
out from dozen rough threats.
where away" said the officer of
the watch.
"Off the starboard quarter" was the
reply there, coming up from Flam
borough head"
''They will be the Bon Homme Rich.
ard and the rest Of that scoundrelly
pirate squadron, Captain Pearson.
saw them off Bridlington bay this aft
ernoon," said the admiral
"We will go out and meet them at |
once, with your permission, my lord"
cried the captain enthusiastically. "All |
hands up anchor! Mr.. Pascoe, show |
the signal for the Scarborough to get |
1nder way. Lively! We have him now,
men! This is our chance at last! |
There's prize money and honor for you
BY yonder lights!'
With wild cheers the eager crew
,roke for their stations. The capstan
bars were shipped and manned, and
he clanking pawls clicked merrily as
he men heaved away as Justify as a
rev homeward bound from a foreign
station.
"Good luck to you, Captain Pearson"
aid the admiral, turning away. Bring
lin back prisoner or sink him, and
will pledge you my word your kings
word shall be laid upon your shout
Iers. Would that were younger and
night go with you! But my duties as
veil prevent me. Goodby."
"Sir-my lord-my fatherw said Gov
ntry, who had stood unnoticed in the
excitement of the moment.
"Do see you still here, sir?" an
wered the admiral coldly.
81 would ask favor of you, sir, as
s-as my father
"Ask no favors of father. sir! You
ave nonew
Let me beg of the man, then" said
coventry resolutely. "We are about to
ngage the enemy. For Gods sake, sir
Or the love of my mother, do not con
emn me to inaction now! Let me
erve as the humblest volunteer! You
hall not regret it."
The old man hesitated. He was ia
her in spite of what he had said, and
e could not forget it. His heart was
beneath his iron exterior and
ppearance of outward composure.
"Gop" he replied at last. You are
900 Of anv oha runS mill t0morrow