Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-08-20

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she murmurcd. laying her hand upon
his own. 1t was dark on the boat. but
if it had been broad daylight he could
not have helped it-he kissed her
"Oh, TO be worthy of it all, to he
worthy" he answered.
William grinncd sympathctically.
wiped his mouth wistfully with the
back of his hand. aud tried TO look
away Presently. unshirpng the oars.
the two mon stepped the mast and
hoistcd the snail sail. The little boat.
under the frcshcnng breeze. began
to draw through the water rapidly. In
order to win out of the mouth Of the
barber they would have to pass in
direction which would bring them
once moro near the moving Scraris.
They could hardly hope to escape dis.
covCry They had. of course. gained
Il good start on the friCate But as she
was soon covered with sails. and her
great height enabled her to catch the
frcshcning breeze blowing over the
hills. which was lost to the smaller
craft. she literally rushed down upon
them
\ noble picture she made to those on
tho boat GhoStliko and ooric in tho
pale MOONLIGHT. shining f1tfully through
tho everest heavens. the great white
shin t0worcd above them. her soaring
mnste covered with clouds of snowy
canvas stretching far out on either side
of the spreading yarlarms. Her sails
swept the skies. Her keel plowcd
the dccps. The wind sang in the top
hamNcr. Tho white water. shot with
sparks. piled up in front Of her. huh-
hlod and played around her fore foot
and rolled away on either side in
broad sheets Of foamy phoSrhoreS-
ccnce. The yellow lights of the battle
lanterns stroamcd through her open
ports. a drum WAS crimly rolling the
call To battle on her decks. Dark
forms passed to and fro. Men leapcd
hither and thither in casting loose tie
double row of great black guns. Some
times vivid fash in the moonlight
proclaimed a drawn sword. Presently
the cries and orders died away The
mon settled down at their stations.
! Silently the huge fabric. splendid
example Of that power which for twice
two hundred Years had ruled the seas.
swept toward them. O'Ncill watched
her in generous admiration.
"A fit antagonist even for our great
captain" he cried. all his enthusiasm
aroused by the ship. land nohly han
died. he added. Mark the discipline.
See the ORDER"
"Aye. sir, that II be a hard one to
take, but We'll take her never fear"
said the old seaman. sharing his Off
GERS ungrudsing appreciation OF their
gallant foe.
How can Won speak 500" said the
girl. ITO me she is nothing but II
prison, menace. horror
You are = woman, dearest. hone
to be on thu old Richard before long,
and feel rtom such ship as that
there is much honor to no caihed"
"And death, too she answered
shuddering.
1T may be. Death and honor often
go hand in hand" he replied cravcly
But she nears us. You must lie down
until she passes"
1t WAS new thing for her to be
commanded. She found it altogether
sweet experience-tncn. Later it
might be another matter. So. though
protesting because she was n woman
and had prcscient eye 10 the future
Elizabeth dullully oh'yrd her lord
and lay down in tho boat. resting her
head against his foot. As they drew
toward tie mouth OF the harhor tho
wind came stronger. The little boat
fairly r"arod through tie white cap
ped waves. She hcc!"d over until the
water iicl,ied in or the lee side. but
ONcill roso'Ncly and skiifully held
her UP To ii. lie could moi afford to
lose an inch of distance 10 lccwnrd.
for the water Swallowed RAPIDLY in
that direction and abounded in rocks
as well The Scraps was alongside
now. They had not yet been observed
The attention of the men on the frig-
ate was fixed upon the aunroaching
ships to the southeast. now plainly
visible. O'Neill fairly held his breath
as he congratulated himself that they
were to be passed by unnoticid, Sud
denly a sharp cry rang out Just as the
Scraps drew ahead.
"Sail no. Boat alloy there" For n
moment the small boat lay right in tho
path of light cast by the brilliantly
illuminated stern ports of the frieate.
"'Tis the prisoner, he that escapedm
shouted a powerful voice.
sentry. give him a shot from your
piece" cried Captain Pearson himself.
springing on the rail and leaning over
toward them. Old Price shook his fist
ut the frigate in stout defiance. The
sharp crack Of n musket rang out in
the air. The bullet seemed to have
struck something forward in the boat
a shudder swept through the little
craft, hoarse, frightful cry quivcred
through the night, there was a splash
the boat struck something, and that
something, whatever ii was, raspcd
along her keel as she drove ahead.
Clear away the second CUTTER
cried another voice on the frigate,
Keep all FAST shouted Pearson
I'VE have bigger game tonight And
then he followed his hand and cried out
as the Scraps drew rapidly away:
well take care of you sir, in the
morning, when we return" A few
more musket shots were fired at them
from different parts of the ship. One
bullet tore through the sail and wills
tea by the ear of the young lieu
tenant but did no harm.
| I'VE are saved apainn' cried Eliza.