The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-28

as the skipper ceased, Arnitage bowed
nd withdrew. whilst 1 very hastily
aSetched the rise and progress OF my sus-
icions. from M. lie Breton's first visit
(. .p TO that present moment
\ Before l had proceeded very far. how
yer. Armitage returned with the inteIli-
fence that the brig was undouot edly adrift
l nd already some distance astern OF us,
ind that the topman, who had been aloft
Ip inspect. had reported that he thought
We could detect men on her yards
Turn up the hands at once, then sir,
"A you please. and see everything ready
tpr slipping our cable and making sail
~ moments notice. But let everything
4 e done In absolute silence; and keep a
Hand aloft to watch the brig and report
}rythins further he may notice on board
Yer; IL really looks as though we were
.n the brink OF some important discov-
Ny. Now go ahead with your story.
n kawkesley. said the skipper.
N proceeded as rapidly as possible, mere
Nj stating what suspicious circumstances
ad come under my own notice, and leav-
Aeg Capt. Vernon 10 draw his own deduc-
IONS. When had finished, the skipper
Frrned to Smellie and SAID:
Am L to understand, from your re-
i ark made short time ago. that YOU
\
MIR Smellie?"
Yes" answered Smellie. 1T certainlv
hd vague feeling that there was some
ping queer about her: but my suspicious
ere not nearly so clear and strong as
n awkesiey's, and subsequent events quite
Rove the matter out OF my mind"
'Um" remarked the skipper, medita-
{vely; 1T is strange, very strange. I
4 fever noticed anything peculiar about the
raft"
4 THE brig is now about half a mile dis
INT, sir. and is making SAIL" reported
| rmitage at that moment presenting HIM
IL at the cabin door
Then walt until the hands are out of
s rigging; then slip. and we will be af-
r him. 1 intend TO see 10 the bottom
this" returned the skipper. sharply.
There is undoubtedly something wrong
III poor Austin would have turned M on
{pard before matters had reached this
age. But, mind. let the work be car
4 ed on without an unnecessary sound OF
kind,
JAS Armitage again withdrew and Smell
rose to his feet, Capt Vernon turned
4 me and said:
MI am very greatly obliged TO you for
y e zeal and discretion you have mani
sted In this most delicate matter
1 awkesley; whatever comes OF Il I shall
member that you have acted through
Fft TO the very best Of your ability. not
a Inning to me precipitaTely with a vague.
ctconnected story, but waiting patiently
Ehtl you had accumulated a sufficiency
M convincing evidence for us to act upon; /;
ough. even now we must be very eau.
bus as 10 what we do. And let me also
fad that Mr.. Smellie has spoken 20 me
, the highest terms Of your conduct
fYaC nh
Ind he were ashore together; indeed he
tsures me that TO you. under God. ne ia
y debted for the actual preservation of
as life. l have watched you carefully
Nom the moment OF your first coming on
Bard, and have been highly gratlr'ed
th your conduct throughout Go on as
bbu have begun. young sir. and you viii
fove an ornament to the service. And
rbw, gentlemen, to business
y CHAPTER XVII.
POOR AUST1N'S FATE.
of hurried on deck, highly gratihed al
e very handsome compliment paid mo
the skipper, ond found that the hands
.fpre aloft. casting loose the canvas
esenty. without a word having been
tfoken above whisper. or n shout ut
fred. they came down again. tho topsall
lizards were manned the yards mast
AIDED: the $40 run up. the cable slipped.
d we were under weigh the fog all tho
me being sthick as n hedge. so thick
deed that IL was impossible 20 see the
p-boom end from the quarterback. Old
U ildmay, the master, was coming the
lp; but OF course in such n fog II was
guesswork. and the old fellow was
rribly nervous and anxious. as indee1
as also Capt Vernon II struck me ina,
e ship might be better conned from
I,ft \ -tA -, Ho Id nv 11
tn due modesty mentioned my idea.
"A very happy thoughtr' exclaimed the
sstss, who happ-.ss - sverhear me.