The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-23
SLAVE SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
By HARRY COLLINGwOOD
CHAPTER XIV.

only 10 be blown out OF her a few min
utes later, however: and my own impress
sion-and Hawkesleys too, for that mat
ter, as / afterwards discovered on COM
pairing notes with him-was that our loss
es must have amounted TO at least half
of the men composing the expedition"
"well," said Captain Vernon, II am
happy 10 tell you that you were mistaken.
our total loss over that affair amounts
10 four men killed. but the severity OF
the fight is amply testified 10 by the fact
that not one man out of the whole num-
ber escaped without a wound OF some
kind, more or less serious. They have all
recovered, however. l am happy 10 say.
and we have not at presnt n sick man
in the ship. There can be no doubt that
the siavens somehow received timely no.
tice OF our presence In the river. through
the instrumentality OF your fair-speaking
friend. the skipper OF the Pensacola, /
strongly suspect, and that they made the
best possible use of the time at their dis
posal. Had been as wise then as I am
now my arrangements would have been
very different. However. IL is easy TO be
wise after the event: and am thankful
that matters turned out so we'll And
now, l think we are fairly entitled 10
hear your story"
Thereupon Smellie launched out into a
detailed recital OF all that had befallen
us from the moment OF the explosion on
board the brig up to our unexpected ar
rival that same night alongside the
Daphne.
He was interrupted by countless ex-
clamations OF astonishment and SYM
pathy and when he had finished thero
seemed to be no end OF questions
which one and another was anxious
TO put 10 him. In the midst of IL all,
however, Burnett broke In with the
announcement that, having finished
with me, he was ready TO attend to
the second lieutenant.
The worthy medico's attention to me
had been, as may be gathered from the
fact that they outlasted Smellie's ytory,
OF somewhat protracted duration and
that they were OF an exceedinly pain
full character I can abundantly testify,
the ball having broken my shoulder
blade and then buried itself among the
muscles Of the shoulder, whence Bur
nett insisted on extracting IL, In spite
OF my protestations that l was quite
willing to postpone that operation to a
more convenient season. After much
cropping and probing about. however,
utterly regardless OF the excruciating
agony he thus inflicted upon me. the
conscientious Burnett had at last sue
ceeded in extracting the ball, which he
kindly presented TO me as memcnto,
comparatively speaking plain sailing.
My wound was washed, dressed, and
made comfortable; and was dis smissed
with strict Injunction to turn-in ct
once.
To this the skipper moved. as an
amendment. that I be permitted TO
drink a single glass of wine before
retiring; and whilst was slipping this
they turned upon me with their uucs-
tions, with the result that soon
forgot all about my hammock. At
length Captain Vernon said:
by the bye, Hawkesley. what sort
OF young lady is this Dona Antonia
whom Mr. Smellie has mentioned once
or twicer
"She is simply the most lovely crea-
ture 1 have ever seen. sir" I replied,
And my promised WIFE" terked
I'm Smellie. I'm n tone which warned all
hands that there must be no jocularity
in connection with the mention OF the
donas name.
"Ho. hoi" calculated the skipper
with whistle OF surprise. THAT IL
how the wind blows, is IT. Upon my
word, Smellie, I heartily congratulate
you upon your conquest. Quite ro-
mantle affair, really. Any pray. Mr..
Hawkesley, what success have YOU met
with in Cupid's warfare7"
None whatever, sir" replied with
a laugh. THE only other lady In Don
Manuels household was aid Dolores,
Dona Antonia's attendant, and I wns
positively afraid TO try the. effect OF
my fascinations upon her"
Lest you should prove only too sue
cessful" laughed the skipper. by the
way. Smellie. do you think this Don
Manuel was quite plain and above
board with you? suppose he does
nothing in the slave-trading business,
chr"
(To BE Continued Tomorrow.)