The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-04-04

ter Of the motley fuffan band which
had been dumped upon his deck
which he certainly was. With the
dainty manner Of q Frenchman, the
courteous Difference Of a gentleman
Of the oldest and best school. the calm
ness Of an ancient philosopher, there
was in his appearance no outward evil
dence of the tremendous qualities in
herent In the mar ave In the spar
king, flashing, piercing eye. which
plunged through and through those
upon whom its glances we're fastened
with the keenness of a sword blade.
His men were wont to say that he
could look even a frigate into striking
her colors If given an opportunity.
The hardest ruffian cringed like q u
before him, and this when he was
peaceful and quiet. When he grew
angry, which was rare. his passion was
like Washington's, blasting and appall-
ing. He was perfectly quiet now.
however, and he stood by Dale's side
at the break Of the poop looking over
the bows of the ship toward the en-
envy.
As she swept forward through the
peaceful sea q fragrance Of balm and
spicery and myrrh, which seemed to
suggest the many voyages of the old
ship in the distant tropic ATTITUDES,
chung about the decks and pervaded
the gentle air already redolent with
the sweet scent Of new mown hay
from the not distant shore. 1t was as
calm and sweet an autumn night as
ever falls across the tired earth. The
land breeze blew softly across the
decks. The bright radiance of the glo-
rious noon of harvest sparkled and
wavered and flickered with sinuous.
restless brilliancy on the tossing wa
ter ahead. All the busy notes of prep
aration had died away. There h. d
come over the hearts Of all In that
moment before the approaching crisis
a little silence which bespoke a recog-
milton of the gravity of the impending
conflict. The mellow toned bell for
ward was striking the time-two. four.
six. seven bells in the second dog
watch. half after Z o'clock. The min
utes were being rung away for some
of the men upon the decks of the
great old ship; for many of them the
bell would strike no more. Some who
had gazed carelessly upon the setting
sun would not see it rise again.
Laughter ceased. jest failed. and some
unwonted lips. while eyes were heav-
onward turned. murmured the name Of
God iii belated petition. Even tile
most hardened and Indifferent sailor
felt the influence of the hour and was
still.
Off on the starboard bow the Pallas
was CALAMITY speeding toward her dis
tant foe. The Alliance. having paid
no attention to repeated signals. was
still edging in toward the convoy. The
Scraps. with her topsail to the mast.
her men at quarters. ports open. Ian
terms lighted. was grimly waiting. As
Jones eye fell upon the Alliance his
lips were frightened. A black shadow
swept across his face which BODIED Ill
for Landais again. When Dale. stand
ing by his side. ventured to break bis
reverie by a bitter comment upon the
detection of the frigate, Jones remark
ed:
"Never mind, sir. The fewer we are
the more honor we shall gain by TAX
ing them"
But in the main the two officers kept
silent watch together. Even the chat
tering Frenchmen caught the contagion
Of the %portentous moments and stood
In quiet ranks prepared and ready. 1t
was no quarrel of theirs. this in which
they fought. but their old and ever
present hatred Of England gave them
inspiration enough for the conflict.
The breeze freshened slightly. and as
the Richard drew nearer the Scraps
the latter swung her ponderous main
yard and slowly filed AWAY. The two
ships were sailing at right angles to
each other. the Richard slightly ahead
OF the Scraps. which was moving to
cross her. bow.
Ito be c~ontinued.)