The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-15
--THE
SLAVE SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
BY HARRY COLLINGwOOD
CHAPTER XXI.

otherwise we could never have hoped 10
survive. In little more than ten minutes
from the capsizing Of the sloop the
strength OF the hurricane was spent and
the wind dropped to a fresh working
breeze. OF this circumstance the Black
Venus promptly availed herself--her crew
having undoubtedly observed the dis
aster-by bearing up and standing TO
the eastward under every inch Of canvass
she could spread. Our first impression on
witnessing this manoever was that ami
mated by some lingering spark Of hu-
manlty I'm their breasts. her people were
returning in quest OF possible survivors
but this hope was speedily extinglshed
by the sight OF the brig sweeping 10 lee
ward and passing us at distance Of
about half n mile, with her crew busily
engaged in crowding sail upon their
vessel
We stood up and waved to her as
she passed and ! have no doubt what
ever that we were seen; but no notice
was taken OF us and she soon swept out
OF sight to leeward. / hardly expected
any other result, and was consequently
by no means discoura ged at this fresh
instance OF inhumanity: indeed had they
taken II into their heads TO rescue us
IL Is probable that our lot among them
would have been little IL any better
than IL was out there on the open ocean
drifting about upon our tiny raft
When night fell we had had suffi-
cient time TO fully realize the peril and
hopelessness OF our position; and I
think most OF US fully made up our
minds that we were destined to a
lingering death from starvation. unless,
Indeed. the end should happen to he pre-
picitated by the springing up Of an
other gale or some equally fell disaster
But our gloomy anticipations were
destined to be speedily and pleasantly
dissipated. for 1t dawn on the following x
morning we were agreeably surprised
by the sight Of n sail in the northern
quarter-the craft evidently heading
directly for us. The wind was blowing
from the westward at the time, a five-
knot breeze the weather was clear
and the sea had gone down, leaving
nothing but the swell from the blow
OF the preceding day. We accordingly
set 20 work and unhesitatingly cut
adrift one OF the smaller spars OF which
our raft was constructed, and, hastily
securing the crazy fabric afresh. reared
the spar on end. with my shirt-the
only one among us-lashed TO its upper
extremity as signal.
The hour which followed was one Of
most aEonizing suspense. Would she
or would she not alter her course be-
fore observing out signal7 The helms
man was not steering quite as steadily
as he might have done, and our hearts
went into our mouths and n cry OF
anguish involuntarily escaped our lips
every time the stranger showed a ten
dency to lun to windward OF fall of 10
leeward OF her cour7e. At length, how
ever. our apprehensions were set At
rest; for just as her hull was rising
above our limited horizon we saw a
sudden flash from her side. followed by
a pun of white smoke. and n few sec .
onds later the sharp ringing report Of
n gun came waited down TO us Then
her topgallant- sails and royals nutter-
ed moment In the cool morning breeze
"a they were rapidly sheetcd home ana
mast headed and half an hour later
the Nirginia-yes, there could be no
doubt about it, IL was our latest prize
and there. abaft the main rigging.
stood the well-known figure OF Smellle
himself-the Virginia hove TO close 90
windward OF us, a boat was lowered,
and we soon found ourselves standing
safe and sound on the briggs deck. the
cynosure OF all eyes and the somewhat {
bewildered recipients OF our former
comrades eager questions.
(To Be Continued Tomorrow