The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-09-19
j CHAPTER XXX, y
A anliant Deed,

warn, drops, and darkness llad come
The Lascar rose, shook himself, and
made for tho bay. Standing knee deep
In the water he threw his arms BACK
and drew long breath. Hc was per-
fectly naked, except for a leather belt,
which held knifc-sheath and revolver.
knife gripped between his teeth, and then
began to swim with swift but silent
strokes
sharks tho mai, was not afraid. lie was
n son OF the East, and the deep rooted
fatalism OF his rnce allowed no dread OF
death. Afumps gave the danger no
thought q He was going to rescue Ruby
II he could, and he would do his best.
Mumps swan like an otter, the phos-
p11orescent rpplcs dancing away over
his glistcnng shoulders. The rain fell
with faint kissing sound. Using him
self and looking back he saw Leckburn's
fagpolc like grey limo drawn across
a. blackboard. He was steering by the
pole, for the two Vessels were invisible.
So noiselessly did he swim that he pass
ed through the cluster Of g,lls that were
doing on the water without disturbing
them. N 5 i,
Mumps had watched the departure OF
the boats He knew that only few
men had boon left behind to look after
tho yacht and her consort. Tho Lascnra
was a good sailor and he felt that Hans
VANDERBILT was taking heavy risks. II
storm rose suddenly blowing inshore,
the few hands LEFT behind would be un-
held we'll and good; II they parted the.
Antoinette. and the Silver Star would
leave their bones on the rocks OF Peril
Island. XII g5S.4i s.
But there was no sign OF a change Of
weather. Mumps swan, on careless OF
sharks, and at last the spars Of vessel
rose above him. As there was vest
erly current, and he might have drifted,
he was not sure whether 1t was the Sil-
the chains.
"Wah!" the Lascar grunted, Gomez
too far. Too muchec chop beam for
I It was the Antoinettc. Not sound
could he hear, except the kiss of tho
tapping waves and the occasional creak
OF spur. He swan round her. Not a
light was visible. She seemed to be ut.
terly deserted.
'.Wah! Wonder II me cameo muttered
Mumps, doubtfuy.
He was back resting on the chai IN It
frightened. Mun,ps found ample room for
his toes on the big links, and began to
climb He thrust one dripping, naked
arm through the ;hawser hole, and hung
there waiting for the chain to sacken
Then he swung his leg over, reached up,
and drn eyed himself on deck. III IA, s
The velvet darkness bafflcd even the
Lascar's splendid s eyesisht,, N He could
make out the smoke-stack and smell
the hot scent OF banked-up furnace
Murnps shook the water out Of his re-
volver. The we'll CREASED X brass cart
ridges were proof against immersion. lie
crept down the re-companion; he was
confident now that the ship had been
abandoned temporarily fire stu
smouldered in the galley. and, screening
the portfolio, Munlps switched on the
light. q. Z. yss las. w
heard noise.
ronee true 'nough. Wah! not ftndee
Ruby II stopee here. Wah!" lt
Murnps grlnned and ran out OF the
galley. Flo knew every turn and TWIST
OF the Antoinettc. He had found matches
and lantern. Very soon he was hu NJ.
ing In the tool-chest for q bolt and
mallet, He secured both. and hastened
Tho fore part Of the cable was slack
enough for his purpose, and Mumps
quickly found the pin. 1t had rusted IN
| tho shackle, and defled him for o long
time Click, click. click! rang the punch
against the steel Then came loud
rattle and dull splash as the severed
cable clanked through the hawscr-hole I,
and sank Mumps had set the vessel
adrift.
with a laugh on his lips, he rushed
aft, and dlvcd over the stern rail. When
he rose he felt the force OF the current.
dull light like a low. pale moon,
marked the position OF the yacht. He
struck out for 1t Justify. 1t was hard
! work. There WAS 4 nasty chop on the
sea, and floating weed impcded him.
night flying bird OF the albatross species
| winged over him half-inclined to swoop
down and strike at the round, black OBJ
| jcct which was the Lnscar', head.
] hfumps was tireless. FIc was gaining
on the current foot by foot. In reality
the swim was some six hundred yards
but It seemed miles. Happily the water
was warm, and Mumps WAS In magnlf-
cent training. He kept keen eye or
the shadowy bird that followed him like
a. ghost Brighter and brighter gre"
the light, and at length Mumps rested &c
l draw breath, cllnEing to the Silver Stars
cable. Some ono was whistling popu-
lar music-hall tune. Mumps cared moth
ing for one man, or for a dozen II 1t
could only tackle them 'inGly. The
| whistler, by the sound was well aft
Mumps delayed no longer, but climbed
the cable, and dropped fiat on the yachts
deck, A breeze wa. springing up.
Lazy FOOTBALLS accompanied the whist.
ling. The Lascar pulled himself along
and glided round the funnel Tho mu'
stefan had seated himself on grating
Mump. could easily have stalked him
and knocked him scnscless. but there
VA, room to pass unseen. Unless cor
ncrcd, Mumps had no Intention OF using
violence. IIe gllded away and stole be-
low.
A light strcamcd from the saloon tho
door being ajnr lie cautiously pccret
in, Two OWL faced sailors were playing
cards, whiskey bottle between them
Both were muddled with drink, The
Lnscars hand slid round tho door ano
removed tho key. IIe waited long five
minutes, his heart beating faster thar
usual for the nrst time tina night, Then
finch by inch, he closed the door.
The tensest moment Of all came wher
he grippcd tho key. There was crnsi
~ onc Of the men unset h glass, and tht