Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1904-08-25

u Va Abt iOhS
boatswain.
On this particular afternoon. about
ten days before Christmas, the young
I captain. now confident of carrying his
prize into the harbor, felt very much
relieved and elated by his apparent
command of the situation. He knew
what a godsend the ships cargo. winch
be and Talbot had ascertained to he
even more valuable than had beer
represented. would be to the American
army. 1t might be said without exag-
geration that the success of the great
cause depended upon the fortune or
that one little ship under his com
mand. Talbot had properly classified
and inventoried the cargo according to
orders and was prepared TO make I'M
mediate distribution of it upon the ar
rival in port. Both of the young men
were as happy as larks. and even the
thought of their captured friends did
not disquiet them as Ii might under
less fortunate circumstances, for among
the captives on the Mellish YVES a Colo
mel Seaton OF the higblanders, whom
they trusted to be able to exchange for
Colonel Wilton, and they did not doubt
In that case that Katharine would re-
turn with her father.
While INDUCING themselves In these
rosy dreams, natural to young men
In the elation Of spirit consequent upon
the events of their short and exciting
cruise-the capture and successful es-
cape of the transport. the apparent as
surance of bringing her in, and the
daring and brilliant night action which
they had witnessed-they had neither
of them ventured to touch upon the
subject uppermost in each heart-the
love each bore for Katharine-and the
subject still remained a sealed book
between them. The cruise was not yet
over. however, and fate had In store
for them several more exciting occur
rences to be faced. Seymour, often ac-
companied by Talbot, and Wilton. al
ways accompanied by Bentley. kept
watch and watch on the brief cruise of
the transport. Shortly after midday OF
the third day. about three bells in the
afternoon watch, or half after l o'clock,
Seymour, whose watch below 1t was,
was called from the cabin by old Bent
lev. Who informed him that a suspi
cious sail had been seen hull down tc
the northeast, and Wilton had desired
that his commanding officer be In
formed of II. Selling a glass and
springing to his feet, he FASTENED or
deck.
"well, Mr.. Wilton" he said to tina
young officer, proud of his r~esponsibili
ties. you keep a good lookout. Wher'
away is the sail reported?'
BROAD off the weather bow, sir, du'
north Of us. You can't see her r
the deck yet" replied Wilton. flushing
with pride at the compliment.
Seymour sprang into the main rig
ging and rapidly assembled to the cross
trees, glass in hand. There he speed
lily made out the topgallant sails of
large ship. having the wind on tn
quarter apparently and slowly coming
into view. He subjected her to a lon
and careful scrutiny, during which tn
heads of her topsails rose, confirming
his first idea that she was a ship o
war and, If so, without doubt n o
the enemy. She was coming dow
~ steadily, and If the two vessels contir
ued on their present courses the
would pass each other within gunsho
= distance in a few hours, a thing not
]! be permitted under any circumstance
. IL 1t could be avoided. He continue
{ his inspection a moment longer an
then, closing the glass, descended I
e the deck with all speed by sliding dow
the back stay.
l. Forward, there!" he shouted. "Ca
the other watch, and be quick abor
d It! Philip. step below and ask Nj
Talbot to come on deck at once. Ben
n ley, that seems to be a frigate or
heavy sloop going free. She will |
o down on us in a few hours IL W. don
change our course. Take a look {
her, man." he said, handing him II
r glass, and let me know what 20
think of her"
e While the men were coming on dec
q Bentley leaped into the mizzen riggir
and ran up the shrouds with an agiiit
u surprising In one OF his gigantic figul
> and advanced age. After O rapid su
n vey he came down swiftly. Its
u English frigate and not a doubt of
81 sir, and rising very fast"
y 81 thought so. Mar the wealth
p bracesl Up with the helm! Bear
7 hand now, my hearties! Now, then. &
v together! Brace I'M" He himself $
y a good example to the short crew, WI
!" FASTENED to obey his rapid command
by assisting the two seamen s~tation'
aft to brazil In the spanker, In which
Dor he was speedily joined by Talb'
~ who had come on deck. Young Wilt
~ N Bentley lent the same assistan
nc forward, and In an astonishingly brl
~ time. considering her small crew, I
Mellish, like the stranger, was goi
free with the wind on her quarter, b
- best point Of sailing, her course nc
.. making a wide obtuse angle with tn
"a Of the approaching ship.
snow, then, men. lay aloft and sha