The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-21
THE NEWS DEMOCRATS DAILY STORY
To be published in daily instalments on this page
THE
SLAVE SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
By HARRY COLLINGwOOD
CHAPTER VI NI.-Continued.

The papers were produced. examined
which Smellie set himself TO the task Of
pumping" our new acquaintance with
out much result though we certainly
managed 10 obtain one bit OF valuable
information from him.
Whether there's slavers or no in this
rivulet, I'll just leave you TO find out.
stranger" he remarked. In answer TO a
question OF Smellie's; I'm here about
my own business, ana you're here about
yourn; you can't interfere with me; and
] won't interfere with you. But I don't
mind tellin' you that II you'd been here
five days ago you'd have had a chance
OF nabbng the Black Venus. the smartest
SLAYER l guess, that's ever visited this
section Of our sublunary sphere"
Indeed" exclaimed Smelle eagerly.
what sort OF craft is she? What is
she like?"
''She is a brig"--I prcked up my ears
at this. and so, too. I could see, did
Smelie-"of about three hundred tons
register; long and low in the water;
mounts Ia guns, seven OF a side, and a
long 32pounder on her forecastle. Has
very tall sticks, with rake aft; and
tremendous spread OF caliker And she's
the fastest craft in all creation. Your
ship looks as If she could travel: but l
low she amt circumstance to the Black
Venus"
How is she painted?" asked smellie.
''Is she all black. or does she sometimes
sport a white ribbon?"
Aha" thought 1; that looks as
though my suspicious are al last shared
by somebody else Richards communi-
cation to the skipper has surely borne
fruit"
Wall" replied the Yankee. with a
knowing twinkle in his eye. when she
sailed from here she was black right
down to her copper. But that amt much
TO 60 by: / guess her skipper knows a
trick or two"
you think. then. he might alter her
appearance as soon as he got outsider"
insinuated Smelle.
He might--and he mightn't," was the
cautious reply
UNI" observed Smelne. Then. as II
inspired with a sudden suspicion, he
asked.
Have you seen any men war in
here lately?"
could see by the knowing look in our
Yankee friends eyes that he read poor
Smellie like a book.
WALL" he replied, come 10 speak Of
=. there was brig IN here few days
ago that looked like mano'- war. She
was flying French colors-when she few
any at all--and called herself the Vestale." 1"
"Ah." calculated Smellie. did any Of
her people board you,'
"You bet!" was the somewhat ambigu-
Gus answer. Not that the reply was at
all ambiguous In Itself; II was the pc
culiar emphasis with which the words
were spoken. and the peculiar expression
OF the mans countenance as he uttered
them. which constituted the ambiguity;
the words simply implied that the Pen
sa cola had been boarded: the look spoke
volumes. but the volumes were written I'm
an unknown tongue. so far as We at
least were concerned.
"what Is the vestale like?' was Smell
lies next question.
Gust as like the Back Venus as two
peas in n pod was the reply, given
with evident quiet amusement
"And how was she painted" persisted
smellie
"Ah. there now. stranger. you've puz-
yled mel" was the unexpected answer.
"Why? Did you not say you saw herr"
oueried Smellie sharply.
"No | guess not; didn't say anything
OF the sort. / was ashore when her
people boarded me. II was my mate that
told me about IT.
your mate? Can we see him7' ex-
claimed Smelle eagerly.
"Yes, / reckon" was the reply Hes
ashore now. but you've only TO pull about
1--WE miles up the creek. and calculate
you'Il find him somewheres."
''Thanksi" answered Smellle. I'm
afraid we can't spare time for that Can
YOU tell me which of the two brigs-the
Vestale or the Black Venus sailed first
from the river?'
"wall. stranger Ia like TO help you
all I could really would: but" with his
hand wandering thoughtfully over his
forehead. Il really can't for the life Of me
remember now which or EN- II was"
The fellow was lying; I could see IL,
and so could Smelie: but we could not
OF course. tell him so; and we accordingly
thanked him for his information and rose