Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1904-08-11

15 ger was cruising between
@ Halifax and Boston, about
100 leagues east of Cape Sable. IL
there be truth in the maxim that a
ship is never fit for action until she
has been a week at sea, the Ranger
might be considered as ready for any
emergency now. The crew had thor
oughly learned their stations; they and
the officers had become acquainted
with each other; the possibilities Of
the ship in different weather and on
various points Of sailing had been as
certained. The drill at quarters twice
daily and the regular target practice
with great guns and the exercises With
small arms had materially developed
the offensive and defensive possibili-
ties of the ship.
The already warm friendship between
Seymour and Talbot, now thrown into
close association by the necessary con
finement Of a small ship, had grown
into an intimacy, and they held many
discussions concerning their absent
friends in the long hours of the night
watches. Talbot had learned through
common rumor before they sailed that
Colonel Wilton would probably be sent
to England with Lord Dunmore, whose
retirement under the vigorous policy
pursued by the Virginians under the
leadership of Patrick Henry, who had
been elected governor, was inevitable,
and he did not doubt but that Katha-
rine would accompany her father. He
had never told Seymour of the plans
which had involved the destinies of
Katharine and himself, and something
had restrained him from mentioning
either his hopes or his affection for
her, though time and absence had but
intensified his passion until it was the
consuming idea OF his soul.
This reserve was matched by a sim
liar reticence on the part of Seymour,
who had said nothing of the note he
had received and had not communicate
ed the news of his own successful suit
to his unsuspecting rival. Seymour
had a much clearer apprehension of
the situation than Talbot and. intrench-
ed in Katharine's confession, could en-
dure it without disquiet. m%agnanimous-
ly saying nothing which could disturb
his less favored rival.
The situation, however, was clearly
an impossible one, and that there
would be a sudden break In the friend
ship, when Talbot found out the true
state Of affairs, he did not doubt. This
was a grief to him, for he really liked
the young man and would gladly have
spared his friend any pain If 1t were
possible. However, since there was
only one Kate in the world, and she was
his, he saw no way out of the difficulty
along blindly in his fools paradise un-
til his eyes were opened. Both the
young men were favorites with Cap
tain Jones, and he treated them in a
very different manner from that he
usually assumed to his subordinates,
for Jones was a nan to be respected
and feared rather than loved.
Late in the afternoon, the ship being
under all plain sail ON the port tack,
heading due west, the voice of the
lookout on the main royal yard foated
down to the deck In that hail which is
always thrilling at sea and was dou-
bly, so In this instance:
"Sail, hog'
Motioning to the officer Of the deck.
Zones himself replied In his powerful
voice:
"Where a~1y~
"Broad or the lee beam, sir"
Can you make her out?'
mo, sir: not yet"
swell. keep your eye lifting. my
man. and sing out when you do. Mr..
Simpson" be SAID. turning 70 the on