Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-06-14

f1ailluA anu poS'o"' "
100 leagues east of Cape Sable. III
there be truth in the maxim that
ship Is never tit for action until she
has been week ut sea, the Ranger
might be considered rs ready for any
emergency now. The crew had thor
oughly learned their stations; they ana
the officers had become acquainted
with each other; the possibilities OF
the ship In different weather ana OH
various points Of sailing had been as
certained. The drill at quarters twice
daily and the regular target practice
with great guns and the exercises with
small arms had materially developed
the offensive and defensive pOssibill-
ties Of the ship.
The already warm friendship between
Seymour and Talbot, now thrown into
close association by the necessary con-
finement of small ship, had grown
into an intimacy. ami they held many
discussions concerning their abseh'
friends in the long hours of the night
watches. Talbot had learned through
common rumOr before they sailed that
Colonel Wilton would probably be sent
to England with Lord Dunmorc, whose
retirement under the vigorous polio!
pursued by the Virginians under the
leadership of Patrick Henry, who had
been elected governor, was inevitable
and he did not doubt but that hatil'
rine would accompany her father. lie
had never told Seymour OF the plans
which had involved the destnieS OF
Katharine ana himself, and something
had restrained him from mentioning
either his hopes or his affection Tor
her. though time and absence had Dut
intensified his passion until 1t was the
consuming idea OF his soul.
This reserve was matched by slln'
liar reticence on the part of Seymour
who had said nothing Of the note he
had received and had not conmunicat'
cd the news Of his own successful sui
to his unsuspecting rival. seymour
had much clearer apprehension oi
the situation than Talbot and, intrencll'
ed in Katharine's confession. could en-
dure it without disquiet, magnanimous
" saying nothing which could disturb
his less favored rival.
The situation. however. was clearly
an Impossible one, and that there
would be sudden break In the friend
ship. when Talbot found out the true
state of affairs. he did not doubt. This
was grief to him. for he really liked
the young man and would gladly have
spared his friend any pain If it were
possible. However, Since there was
only one Kate in the world, and she wat
his. he saw no way out of the difficulty
and could only allow Talbot to drift
along blindly in his fools paradise un
til his eyes were opened. Both tile
Young men were favorites with Cap
tain Jones, and he treated them In
very different manner from that III
usually assumed to his subordinates
for Jones was man to be respected
and feared rather than loved.
Late In the afternoon, the ship beini
under all plain sail on the port tack
heading due west, the voice or th'
lookout on the main royal yard hoatet
down to the deck in that hail which II
always thrilling at sea and was dou
bly, so i'm this instance:
sail, ho!"
Motioning to the officer Of the deck
Jones himself replied IN his powerlu
voice:
"Whsre awayW
BROAD or the lee beam, sir"
"Can you make her outT
mo, sir; not yet
"Well, keep your eye lifting, n
man, and sing out when you do. NJ