The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-23
a Stern chase--and a FrultIess One.


welcome back 10 the Daphne. gentle
nenP exclaimed Capt Vernon, as he
net us at the gangway and extended his
land, first 10 Smellie and then 10 me.
! Ihis Is indeed pleasant surprise-for
al hands. / will venture TO say. though
!, Armitage loses his step, at least pro tenn.
IN consequence OF your temperance. Mr..
smellie. But he Is a good hearted fell
COW, and when he entered my cabin 20
eport you alongside. though he seemed
a trife increduous as 10 your personality,
lie was as delighted as a schoolboy at the
prospect OF a holiday"
|, Smellie took the sklppers extended
|Aland. and after replying suitably to his
greeting, said;
NJ II must beg you will excuse Hawkes.
Hey. sir II he gives you his left instead Of
A1is right hand. His starboard shoulder
Illas been disabled tonight by n pistol bull
Net whilst supporting me most intrepidly
NJ n the task Of bringing out the schooner"
The skipper seized my left hand with
Ilais right. and pressing II earnestly yet
.1yently. said:
N II am proud and pleased to hear so
Gratifying an account OF you. Mr
'2Hawkesley. Mr. Armitage has already
'tporne witness to your gallantry during
q he night attack upon the slavers; and
20 was with deep and sincere sorrow that
''f received the news OF your being. with
|IMr. Smellie, missing. fear gentlemen,
tgour friends viii suffer a great deal Of
happily unnecessary. sorrow at the news
(which l felt 1t my duty TO send home;
but that can all be repaired by your per-
sonally despatching to them the agree
able intelligence OF your both being still
n the land OF the living. But what OF
'our hurts? Are they too serious 10 be
attended to in my cabin? They are not?
I am glad to hear that. Then follow me,
both OF you. please; for / long TO hear
where you have been, what doing all this
time. and how you happened 20 turn up
so opportunely here tonight / will send
Tor Burnett 10 bring his tools into my
,abin. and you can satisfy my curiosity
whilst he Is doing the needful for you.
sWill you join us, Austin? I'll be bound
tvour ears are tingling 10 hear what has
'oefallen these wandering knights"
Y Thereupon we filed down below In the
kkipper's wake--I for one being most
heartily thankful TO find myself where
could once more sit down and rest my
hching limbs. The shippers steward
brought out some wine and glasses, and
then at Burnett's request-that individual
having promptly turned up'-went away
10 get ready some warm water
Il think" said our genial medico, turn
ling to me, you look in most urgent need
IOf my services. so L VIII ptBlu WIN Nbu'
,young gentleman, II you please. Now.
Iwherea bouts are your hurts?'
/ told him. and he straightway began
10 cut away the sleeve OF my coat and
shirt. prepara tory to more serious opera
tlons: whilst Smelle drawing his chair up
10 the table. helped himself 10 a glass OF
wine. and then said
Before | begin my story, SIR, will you
permit me TO ask what was the ultimate
result OF that most disastrous expedition
against the slavers? am naturally anx-
lious TO know. OF course. seeing that upon
4 my shoulders rests the odium OF our fall
lure
Captain Vernon stared hard at the sec
/ ond lieutenant for a minute. and then
lsaid:
MY dear smellie, what In the world
lare you talking about2 Disaster! Odiuml
/ Why. man, the expedition was success
not n failure. / admit that there was,
most unfortunately, very serious loss or
life among the unhappy slaves; but we
took the brigantlne and afterwards raised
the schooner, with a loss to ourselves OF
only four killed--now that you two have
turned up IL was a most dashing AFFAIR,
and admirably conducted when we take
into consideration the elaborate prepara-
tione which had been evidently made Tor
your reception; and the ultimate result
about which you inquire, so anxiously Will
hope be n nice little bit OF prize-monoy
70 all hands. and richly deserved promo
tion to yourself, Armitage. and young
williams"
II was now smellie's turn to look sur
prised.
You astonish me, sir" he said. the
last remember OF the affair is that, af-
ter a most stubborn and protracted fight.
IN which the schooner was sunk. we sue
ceeded in gaining possession Of the brig.