Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-03
DAILY SHORT STORY
A ROYAL ELoPEMENT.

Copyright. 1904. by T. c. McClure.l
We were lying in the harbor of Cher
bourg, France. IN the American schoOn-
er yacht Meteor, when the Count Du-
barry came aboard and chartered her
for the strangest voyage you ever
heard Of. His countess had eloped with
an Englishman named Messmore on
his yacht, the Flying Cloud. and We
were to overtake the craft If possible
and bring back the lady.
1t was q foolish idea In the count to
chase his wife under any circum-
stances, but in this case he was an old
man, In poor health, lame and had new
er even made a voyage across the Eng
lish channel. We were small craft
with a big crew, and all hands were
crowded for want of room. but the old
fellow was willing to suffer any incon-
venience and run any risks for the
sake Of overhaulins the clippers. He
had two friends and q doctor with him,
and it was his lavish use Of money
which prepared us for sea SO quickly.
The runaways had a fast craft, plenty
OF money, and they would not be over
hauled If they could help it. The count
had a craft equally as fast and had
vowed to hunt them down if it took
ave years That was the way things
stood as we sailed out of the harbor in
q craft as well found and manned as
ever put to sea.
We got down to Madeira without
getting word of the craft and after a
race to the Canaries were again disap-
1oUS oftal. 1Q,l "
ing the latter group and while holding
for the Cape De Nerdes that we got
our first news. 1t came from an Eng
lish man-of-war, which had come upon
the schooner to the south of the cape
while she was repairing damages re-
ceived alOft during a squall. Messmore
could not even suspect that the count
was after him, and SO he would take
his time and not carry too much sail.
Thus we reasoned, but there was not
much consolation in it. We might
run a parallel course with him for
week and neither one sight the other.
We might pass him by in the night. or
he might shorten sail while we cracked
on Luck was with us, however.
One morning when well down the
African coast we encountered an Eng
lish brig which had passed the schoon-
er the day before and so closely as to
catch her name. She reported the
Cloud as driving along at an easy pace,
and then we felt that we must over
haul her within two or three days.
Just before shutdown we caught sight
Of q sail ahead of us, and everybody
aboard believed it to be the craft we
were pursuing. The count and his
friends passed the night drinking and
jabbering and walking about. and they |
plainly said that they meant to sink |
the Englishman sooner than let him |
get away from US. 1t was our plan to |
close up ON her that night, but not too |
much SO, as it was dark and rainy, !,
and we feared to overrun her. Men |
were on watch below and aloft all |
night, and when morning came the |
Cloud was dead ahead and only two |
miles away.
1t was planned that we should speak |
the pursued and give out that our |
was out of order. If she |
lay to in response to our signals the
captain would board her with three or
four men and detain her until the
flew a signal as soon as she was dis
covered, but she gave us not the slight
EST attention. AS we came nearer she
took alarm and made more sail. and
then began the real adventure. With q
man like the count to back him. our
captain did not hesitate to open fire
On the other craft, and she was struck
twice before she got out Of range. The
count was on deck and fair to be seen,
and we plainly saw Messmore and the
countess aboard the other. II the lat
er craft had been armed there would
have been a pretty fight.
That was the beginning OF a race
which had its end days later and at
point hundreds OF miles away. When
sailing close hauled the yacht had the
reels OF us, but we could beat her on
my other wind. We had one heavy
,ale and several dark nights, and we
Ost sight Of her half a dozen times,
nut she held a true course for the
cape, and we followed after and final
y overhauled her when she was but
wO days away. She was lying to
when we sighted her at daybreak.
md as we approached and got the gun
eady a boat was lowered from her
ide, and her captain was pulled
hoard Of us. He asked for the count
md said:
Your countess is aboard OF the
-acht, but declares that she hates the
light of you and will never return.
lou have followed us for days and
lays, but there is no need for the chase
o go on longer. We are bound for the
ape, and there Mr.. Messmore will go
shore with you and give you satisfac-
ion" |!
The count and his friends jumped at
he chance The man even raised his
lat and bowed to his clipping wife as