Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-01-01

craft, she literally rushed down upon
them.
A noble picture she made to those on
the boat. GhOstlike and eerie in the
pale moonlight, shining fltfully through
the overcast heavens, the great white
ship lowered above them. her soaring
masts covered with clouds Of snowy
canvas stretching far out on either side
Of the spreading yardarms. Her sails
swept the skies. Her keel plowed
the deeps. The wind sang in the top
hamper. The white water, shot with
sparks. piled up in front Of her, bub-
bled and played around her fore foot
and rolled away on either side In
broad sheets Of foamy phosphores-
cence. The yellow lights Of the battle
lanterns streamed through her open
ports. A drum was grimly rolling the
call to battle on her decks. Dark
forms passed to and fro. Men leaped
hither and thither in casting loose the
double row Of great black guns. Some
times q vivid flash In the moonlight
proclaimed drawn sword. Presently
the cries and orders died away. The
men settled down at their stations.
Silently the huge fabric, q splendid
example Of that power which for twice
two hundred years had ruled the seas,
swept toward them. O'Neill watched
her in generous admiration.
"a At antagonist even for our great
captain" he cried, all his enthusiasm
aroused by the ship, land nobly ham
died." he added. MARK the discipline.
See the order!'
aye. sir, that III be a hard one to
take, but We'll take her, never fearr'
said the old seaman, sharing his off,
GERS ungrudging appreciation of their
gallant foe.
How can you speak soY said the
girl. ITO me she is nothing but a
prison, a menace, a horrorv'
you are a woman, dearest. l hope
to be on the old Richard before long
and feel from such a ship as thai
there is much honor to be gained"
"And death, too" she answered
shudderihg.
1T may be. Death and honor often
60 hand in hand" he replied graveiy
"But she nears us. You must lie down
until she passes"
It was new thing for her to be
commanded. She found 1t altogether
a sweet experimentation. Later II
might be another matter. So, though
protesting because she was a woman
and had president eye to the future
Elisabeth dudfully obeyed her lord
and lay down in the boat, resting hal
head against his foot. As they drew
toward the mouth of the harbor the
wind came stronger. The little boat
fairly roared through the white cap
ped waves. She heeled over until the
water trickled in on the lee side, but
ONeill resolutely and skillfully held
her up to 1t. He could not afford ia
lose an inch Of distance to .leevard
for the water Swallowed rapidly in
that direction and abounded in rocks
as well. The Scraps was alongside
now. They had not yet been observed
The attention of the men on the frig.
ate was fixed upon the approaching
ships to the southeast. now plainly
visible. ONeill fairly held his breath
as he congratulated himself that they
were to be passed by unnoticed. Sud.
denly a sharp cry rang out just as the
Scraps drew ahead.
sail no! Boat ahoy, therew For q
moment the small boat lay right in the
path Of light cast by the brilliantly
illuminated stern ports Of the frigate.
"'Tis the prisoner, he that escapedr'
shouted a powerful voice.
Sentry. give him a shot from your
piecey' cried Captain Pearson himself,
springing on the rail and leaning over
toward them. Old Price shook his fist
at the frigate In stout defiance. The
sharp crack Of q musket rang out in
the air. The bullet seemed to have