The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-09-18

Mathcr 10 HIS fDrli: II : ulr'S ii't 80, al
well. And ah-ynu might have word
sent to the bridge Ill he glad if the
mate will join me here. III" nights
fine, and | expect the huat$wain can
take the shi; past Lundy without sink
ing the island
The passenger appeared to the stew
ard. who was present. TO hc also slight
ly touched with an after dinner man
nor Tho mate, when he camr. had
the saline impression. but nevertheless
that officer also collapsed. as his Sr
pcrior had done. leaving RcntOre still
quite composed. The chief engineer,
who had joined the feast ut the re-
quest of the givcr of 1t. along with the
mate, was simultaneously overcome.
Most extraordinary" remarked Rem
tore. Never saw men so easily upset.
I'm going Oh deck. Perkins. You might
see the steward gets out that case of
whisky for the men forward and the
stoiers'
On deck the passenger lit a cigar,
mounted to the bridge and Joined the
boatSwain. who had charge Of 1t.
I've sent Il bottle or two of hard
stuff forward" he said to him uffably.
you might go down and have your
share. I'm sailor enough to watch her
If you leave ne the course"
Thank -cc kindly. sir" answered the
seaman. who. like the rest of the crew,
was blessing his stars for having given
the Grip til" carrying Of such IL D"nc-
factor Keep her southwest by west.
and she'll take no harm for the minute
I'll he gone"
When the boatswain'S cap had VAN
ished down the ladder Rentnre turned
to the hand Mt the wheel.
You shouldn't be out of this, my
man." he said. of you go. and drink
my health. I can keep her head
straight"
He grIpped the wheel, and the sailor
saw the compass card kept steady to
the course. Then he, too, disappeared.
and silence reiencd fore and aft along
the decks of the Grip.
This lasted for perhaps half an hour
then Perkins appeared upon the
bridge.
They're gone under at last" he said
in tones very different from any he had
previously used. shall l let our lads
loose"
Yes" answered Rentore. Tell some
of them to see quickly to the fircs-I
can feel the old tubs speed slacii"ning.
And send hand here to relieve me"
Perkins descended TO where the cases
were ranged and tapped on each. They
opened as he did so. and dim figures
from them dartcd swiftly to his bid
ding The Grip had got Il fresh crew.
Next morning, just before daylight, a
small coasting steamer crcpt into thu
anchorage of st. Mary's, Sicily. ami
brought up close alongside the palatia'
yacht Boccanera, belonging to Il multi
millionaire of American extraction. It
had been lying there for some days
while its owner explored the islands i'll
accordance with intentions previously
announced somewhat widely In the
public prints.
The Boccanera was visited by a
boatful of armed men from the new
arrival. The anchor watch on her
deck was overpowered, the remainder
Of her crew battencd down, and the
millionaire was robbed under threat of
violence of every portable article Of
value he had with him, including Il
large sum of gold and his wifes Jew
els, reputedly of fabulous worth.
Word Of this daring robbery reached
the shore. but by that time the stran-
ger had utterly vanished beyond sight.
During the night following the Grip
reached Southampton and was bcrthcd
ready to commence discharge next
morning Not even the police on duty
noticed that her crew all slipped
ashore one by one during the darkness.
1t was the Jumpers, coming down to
commence work on the cargo, who
found the place deserted. They eX-
plored the forecastle last. and from be-
low 1t came muttlcd knocking. Rails
ing the hatch leading into the fore
peak, there emerged from that liter
ally black hole string of discon-
ISOLATE figures, Captain Mather bring
ing up the rear in crcstfallen fashion.
Here" he demanded, rubbing his
eyes, "Nhere in blaZes are we?"
Southampton" incoursc, lie was told.
"Whercs the ship been?" he added
brokenly. Il know no more than =
baby. Id best see the police. If
they'll catch me that yachtsman IL
hang him for them myself"
A sentiment in which the multi
millionaire fully cOncurred.