Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-10-18

OF the Dr1g was nlleQ Win SllenL COLI
fusion. The men sprang like big cats
to their stations. The little guns Of
the vessel were soon cast loose and
provided, and, having been double
shotted, were run out again and a
good turn taken with the side-tackles
to hold them. The wind was coming
stronger now, but still In fitful puffs.
from the southwest Singularly
enough, the fog seemed to be rising
against the wind.
Presently, by the watchful young
commanders direction, the sail-trim-
mers braced about the yards to take
advantage Of the rising breeze, and
the Boxer began slowly to forge
through the water. It was the first
time in several days that she had
enjoyed good steerage way, and all
hands watched her travel with feel
ings of great relief. Before she had
gathered much way however, they
heard again the sound which had
awakened them to action. Five bells
this time came floating up from the
southwark as before. On this occa-
sion the sound was clearer and more
distinct, showing that the approaching
vessel had drawn nearer. The deep
quality of the tones denoted that the
bell was large one.
"By CAD, Stanhope, that bell doesn't
swing on anything under heavy
frigate," said Grafton; we're in for 1t
this time unless we can make some
distance with this brisking breeze
while the fog holds. What's she max
ing?" >.r ..
about two knots, think, sir" an
swered Stanhope, looking over the side
at the sluggish water slowly drawing
past; maybe two and a half, no
more"
"'Tis a cursed slow boat; but Brit
ish ships are not built for running,
they leave that for t'other fellows. I
wish now the fog would hold little
longer. Keep your weather eye lift
ing there, Jabez," continued Grafton,
turning to old Slocum, who still stood
at the wheel; don't lose a bit of It."
"Ay, ay, sir!" replied the old
Yankee, shifting his Quid as he gave
a careful squint at the top-sails, which
the wind was scarcely strong enough
to fill. 81 won't lose none OF, yer
honor"
For few anxious moments the brig
held on. Presently, in spite of their
desires, the two officers perceived that
the fog was indeed going. However,
there was nothing to be done. 1t was
still too thick to see anything dis
tinctly, so they held on steadily. At
II o'clock, from the other ship, they
heard again the sound of the bell,
which now rang six times. She, too,
had been feeling the wind, and was
evidently edging along in their wake,
which was pure chance, for they had
given her no sign Of their presence.
"Confound the luck!" said Grafton;
whatever she Is, she's right after us.
BY the sound, should say we haven't
gained a fathom!"
Lost, rather" suggested Stanhope.
This briggs no goer at all in this sort
Of breeze. and it's SO fitful no one can
tell"
"By heaven, the wind has shifted
again! We're aback! Shift the helm
there! All hands to the lee braces!"
cried Grafton, as the wind suddenly
swung about and took the ship aback.
Fortunately 1t was not blowing
strong enough to do any damage, al
though the wind was Increasing in
force with every moment. But before
the Boxer paid OF, the fog suddenly
lifted. 1t was brushed away from
them as If 1t had been swept aside by
gigantic hand. The gray mist in
front Of them gave place to radiant
golden light. The tossing white
capped waves, instead of showing the
sickly leaden color of the past few
days, were thrown into brilliant blue
by the irradiating sun. The brightness
was almost dazzling. There did 2ot
seem to be single cloud above them.
Land ho!" shouted one of the men
on the forecastle, as the mist disap-
peared.
| There before them, and scarcely a
| mile away, rose the grim cliffs of the
forbidding island of Ushant. They
could see the breakers crashing and
churning in sheets of foam about its
feet
call hands to the lee brsces!" cried
Grafton. promptly. "Starboard- - your
helm! Flow the head-sheets, there!
Haul over that spanker-sheet. We
! must get away from that, stanhope!"
"Sail ho!" cried one OF the after
handy 1T, the same instant, as the
aeal. and thrust ne9un around on her
Tssrs qiRa on the port s2se up TO-
.nax nn from thelBatKe cables Length
=, ,mmsnse ship. &y the bows