Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1904-09-13
CHAPTER XXI.
THE BOAT IN THE PASS.


T was evening. The Maidstone
was beating to and fro of the
mouth of the harbor of Brest.
The wind was still blowing hard
on the shore and the French ships were
securely bottled up. They could not
beat out of the narrow channel. At
least it would be dangerous UNDER
taking and the game would be scarcely
worth the candle. Therefore the Maid
} stone, although her approach had been
noticed long since, had been permitted
to come as close as she dared un-
hindered.
From the foretop-nast cross-trees by
covered unmistakable signs of prepar-
alton In the French fleet still wind
bound in the harbor. Many boats were
passing between the ships and the
shore, troops were being embarked.
and provisions and supplies taken on
board the huge line-of-battle ships and
the frigates. 1t was quite evident that
movement of some sort was in con-
< Itemplation; and it was more than
Aprobabie that as soon as the wind
Served, taking advantage of the abb
ker1ce of the blockaders, the French
l@ould put to sea. ..5--.
That was news Of the highest i'm
portance. If they could learn the des-
tination of the fleet there would be
opportunity of meeting them; an op
: portunity Hawke would make if he
We're given the vestige of a chance
Hatfield said Grafton, as he came
down from the cross-trees for the last
time, it being too dark to see farther,
Il have changed my mind. ] am going
rshore to see if can not find out some-
Thing about the French feet
And you want me to go with you?"
No. that can not be. You must look
nfter the ship. I will take the dinghy
and one man, old Jabez Slocum. Now.
mark me. My plan is to land at a
little cove I know of under the lee of
the Chateau de Josselin, about which
I told you. shall effect an entrance
there is anything to be learned there.
If not. will take Jabez and we will
sail boldly into the harbor and find
out what we can
And you will see Mademoiselle de
Rohan?'
Perhaps. hope so, though that Is
not my main purpose. At least would
go even if knew she were not there.
Now. if am not back by eight bells,
midnight, you will brace up and make
the best of your way to Torbay and tell
Sir Edward what we have learned"
Yes. but you will hardly have time
to ge there and back by midnight, Capt.
Grafton. Don't you think it would be
better to make it, say, eight bells in
the midwatch. or four o'clock in the
morning? I'd hate nightly to run
away and leave YOU"
Every WE'LL" answered Grafton. that
will give me more time, and perhaps
1t would be better not to leave without
exhausting every possible opportunity
of getting information as to the des-
tination of the French feet, for there
is no doubt in my mind that they in
tend to move
Nor in mine
Very we'll, then, We'll make it eight
bells in the midwatch."
And if you are not back then, I'm
to make the best of my way to Torbay.
or Plymouth, Or wherever I can find
Sir Edward. deliver the dispatches.
and tell what we have SEEM"
That's ii. Now, I nee6 not tell you
to watch the ship carefully on this hard
lee-shore, and when you start for
Hawke, if am not here, drive her for
] all she has in her.
4 will do both, Capt. Grafton
"0f course And if the wind should
change and the French should send
sut liner or couple of frigates
after you, you are on no account to
wait for me or anybody. The infor-
nation we have gained Is of far more
importance that q half dozen captured
frigates. Remember that running. not
z fighting, is your role. Don't hesitate
on my account. Don't be captured,
and don't be wrecked"
Very good" answered Hatfield. II
shall carry out your Instructions to
the letter. But l wish could go with
you"