The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-09-13


ly and so accurately was the abduction
performed that the boats were well clear
Of the yacht before alarm was given by
one of the watch who had been over
looked IN. the careful assault.
Sleepy sailors rushed on deck with a
promptitude that was amazing. Very
quickly they had found and unbound
shipmates below and had Captain Perry
in his pajamas on deck to take command.
THE searchlighti" cried Brewster fran
tically. THE devils have stolen Miss
Gray"
While swift hands were lowering
the boats for the chase others were
carrying firearms on deck. The
arm out over the water before many sec
onds had passed. and eager eyes were
looking for the boats Of the pillagers. The
Arabs. had reckoned without the search
light. Their fierce exultation died sud
denly when the mysterious streak of light
shot into the sky and then swept down
upon the sea, hunting them out Of the
darkness like a great and relentless eye.
The Filters" boats were in the water
and manned by sturdy oarsmen before the
glad cry went up that the robber fleet had
been discovered. They were so near the
yacht that it was evident the dusky
tribesmen were poor oarsmen. In the
NACoA A6AN rum the ilp , QCSh lAACy NO0Au
be seen padding wildly, their white robes
futtering as though inspired by fear.
There were four boats, all of them crowd
ed to the gunwales.
Keep the light on them, captain"
shouted Monty from below. TRY to pick
out the boat that has Miss Gray on board.
Pun away, boys! This means hundred
dollars to every one of you-yes. a thou
sand If we have to fight for herl"
XIII every damned one of them, Mr..
Brewster" roared the captain, who had
retired behind a boat when he became
aware Of the presence of women on deck.
Three boats shot away from the side of
the yacht Brewster and Joe Bragdon in
the first, both armed with rifles.
Lets take a shot at EN-" cried a sail
or who stood in the stern with his finger
on a trigger
Don't do thatl We don't know what
boat holds Peggy" commanded Brewster.
Keep cool, boys, and be ready to scrap
If we have to-" He was half mad with
fear and anxiety, and he was determined
to externinate the bands of robbers If
harm had come to the girl in their power.
She's in the second boat" came the
cry from the yacht, and the searchlight
was kept on that particular object almost
to the exclusion of the others. But Cap
tain Perry saw the wisdom of keeping all
of them clearly located in order to pre-
vent trickery.
Brewster's brawny sailor boys came up
like greyhounds, cheering as they dashed
among the boats of the fugitives. Three
or four shots were fired into the air by
the jealous American lads, and there were
loud cries from the Arabs as they veered
off panic-stricken. Monty's boat was now
in the path of light and not far behind
the one which held Peggy. He was
standing in the bow.
''Take care the othersP' he called
back to his followers. Wen go after
the leaders,
The response from behind was cheer,
a half dozen shots and some Of the most
joyous profanity that ever fell from the
lips Of American sailors, mingled with
shrieks from the boats they were to take
care off,
''Stopi" Brewster shouted to the Arabs
stop, or wen kill every one Of youI'
His boat was not more than fifty feet
from the other
Suddenly tall. white-robed figure arose
in the middle OF the Egyptian craft, and
a moment later the pursuers saw Peggy's
form passed up to him She was in
stantly clasped by one of his long arms,
and the other was lifted high above her.
A cleaning knife was held in the up
raised hand.
Fire on us If you darel" came in
an American, she shall die If you come
near her!"
Brewster's heart almost ceased beating.