The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-14
THE NEWS DEMOCRATS DAILY STORY
To be published In daily instalments on this page
SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
By HARRY COLLINGwOOD
CHAPTER XII.

Full OF this idea ! descended hastily TO
the ground and made my way with all
speed in the direction Of Don Manuefs
home The telescope was fortunately in
the place where i expected to find II;
and disconnecting Il from the stand and
tucking IL into its leather case, set out
again for the lookout tree. Arrived there.
] slung the instrument over my shoulder
by means of the stout leather strap at
tached TO the case, and at once ascend
ell to the topmost branches OF the tree,
when, selecting a good substantial ninD
for a seat, with another conveniently sit
uated TO serve as a rest for the tele-
scope, ] comfortably settled myself In
position. determined TO ascertain deh-
nitely. II possible before sunset, what the
Intentions OF the strange sail might be.
! lost no time In extricating the instru-
ment from It's case ana bringing h 10
bear upon the white speck. which. even
during the short period OF my absence
had perceptibly changed It's position,
thus proving the craft TO be smart
vessel under her canvas. soon had her
pointment that. owing 10 her great dis
lance and the rareied condition OF the
atmosphere, due TO the intense heat OF
the day. / was unable TO make out very
much more in the shape of detail than
was possible with the naked eye; the
craft, as seen through the telescope. ap-
pearing to be merely a waverins blot OF
creamy white, with another wavering
blot OF dark color representing the hull.
below it; a dark line with a spiral mo-
tion to II. which made IL look like a
corkscrew, representing above the sails
the bare topgallant and royal masts. This
was vexa tious, but the sun was still fully
an hour high. BY the time that he would
reach the horizon the craft would prob
ably be some seven or eight miles near
er; the atmosphere was cooling and be-
coming less rarefed every minute, and
was sanguine that before darkness set in
should succeed In getting such view
OF the stranger as would enable me TO
form a tolerably accurate opinion as TO
her nationality and Intentions.
or course kept my eye glued almost
unlnterruptedly to the eyepiece of the
instrument merely withdrawing II for a
minute or so occasionally to give the Wis.
Watcbed, WA % the Wv wavering erin motion notion Of ss the
white and dark blots decreased. they
grew less blot-like and more defined in
their outlines and finally ] succeeded In
detecting the fact that the craft sported
a broad white ribbon along her sides.
Then | made out that she carried
white figure-head under the heel Of her
painted black 10 their water-lines and
white below, and so one detail after an
other emerged into clear definition until
the entire craft stood distinctly revealed
time ] was all aquiver with excitement.
for as the approaching ship showed with
ever-increasing distinctness. a growing
conviction forced itself upon me that
many OF her details were familiar TO me.
Finally Just as the sun was lowering for
q moment Ike a great ball OF fire upon
the extreme verge OF the purple horizon.
the stranger tackled. The smartness with
which ehe was maneuvered was alone AL
most sufficient to proclaim her as Eng
lish. but the point was definitely settled
by my catching a momentary glimpse OF
St Georges ensign nuttering at her peak
"a II cleaned I'm the last rays OF the set
ting sun.
In another moment she glided gracefully
across the golden track Of the sinking
Iuminary. her every spar and rope clearly
defined and black as ebony, her sharply
outlined sails a deep rich purple against
the gold. and the broad white ribbon
round her shapely hull just distinguish
able. The sun vanished. and though the
western horizon Immediately In his wake
was all aglow with gold and crimson, the
Hight at once began 10 fade rapidly away.
I looked again at the ship she was al
ready a mass OF pearly gray. with row
or little dark gray dots along her side,
indicating the position of her ports.
took advantage OF the last gleam OF twi-
light To count these dots twice over. There
were fourteen OF them along her star
board broadstde. indica ting that she was
q 2s-gun shin; she was ship-rigged, and