Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-08-25


he then handed to the colonel "They
show no flags, but cannot conceive
Of their being anything but a squadron
or convoy Of ours. What do you
make them out. Colonel Wilton?'
Now. the colonel was MORALLY Ger.
tain that they were Americans, or, at
least that the first and nearest one was
an American ship. lie had been one
Of the naval committee which had
taken charge OF the building of the
men Of war ordered by Congress In 10;
he had seen the Randolph frequently
on the ways and after she was launch.
ed, and was entirely familiar with her
lines. Perhaps the wish also was ia.
Their TO the thought. for the old soldier
was not sufficiently versed in nautical
AFFAIRS to detect at that distance the
great disparity in force between the
two ships. to which for the moment
he gave no thought, or he would not
have entertained hopes for a release
from confinement by recapture-a pat.
ent impossibility TO a seaman. SO he
answered the captain evasively, return.
ing the glass and pleading his ignor.
ance of nautical matters to excuse his
indefinite opinion.
1T must be the Carrysford, with
Hythe's squadron: she Is thirty.two.
But why they should act this way
cannot see. He must know what we
are now, as there are no ships of our
size In these waters except our own,
and why should he send the rest Of
them off there? They are leaving us
pretty fast. except that brig. Now, II
II were colonial convoy should say
that this frigate was going to engage
: up in the hope of so Gripping us as to
'effect the escape OF the rest; but
hardly think that your men are up to
that yet"
Think not?" said the colonel In.
differently, violently REFRESHING an in,
clnation to strike him. ut may be as
you say, Captain Vincent; still, think
we are up to almost anything that you
are"
"Oh, colonel" laughed the captain
good naturedly, you are not going to
compare the little colonial forces with
his majesty's navy, are you? Now, /
am morally certain that is q kings
ship. See the beautiful set of her sails,
the enormous spread of the yards no.
tice how trim and taut her rigging and
running gear stand out, and then, too.
see how smartly she is handled. Only
English ships are thus. Hythe is a
sailor, every inch Of him." he went on
in genuine admiration for the APP
preaching vessel. See, he has the
weather gauge OF us now, or will have.
Not that 1t matters anything. We
could afford to let him have II even IL
lac were an enemy. But what he means
by this sort of performance l don't
understand. However, we shall know
In half an hour at least"
well, sir?" he said, turning toward
Lieutenant Desborough, who at that
moment stepped on the poop in fight
ing uniform, sword in hand.
Ships ready for action, sir!"
very good. Keep the people at
their quarters and stand on as we are.
What do you think of her, Desbor
ough?"
1--WE think she is an American, sir"
said Desborough.
oh, you do, do you? Well, | think
she is one of ours. No American would
dare to lead down on us in that way!
We can blow him out OF the water with
n broadside or two, you know, but wen
give him a hint all the same. Fire
gun there to leeward and hoist our
colors."
As the smoke rolled away along the
water the stops were broken, and there
flew out from each masthead the splen.
did English flag. 1t was answered
soon afterward by small English flag
at the gam of the approaching ship,
which apparently mystifed the captain
more than ever. though 1t confirmed
him in his previous opinion.
"Oh, father" whispered Katharine,
cllnging to the colonel, what do you
think II is? See that English fiag!"
Kate, I'm morally sure that II Is an
HhSA ivan shiP' IL 10 just the pan anu
size Of those ordered by congress in
rs. One of those ships should be in
commission by now. II am right,
this should be the Randolph. saw
her dozen times in Philadelphia, and
II that's not she shall never pretend
TO know ship again"
But did you hear what Captain Vim.
cent said?' continued Katharine. How
many guns would the Randolph car.
ryT
About forty. and most OF them
small ones at best" answered the col.
onel, with sigh,
The two ships were much nearer
now, and their disparity In force was
apparent even 10 the most m8klllfuI
eve,
"Tho little ship can't aght this greai
one, father can ~