The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-06-13

the blow was struck no one ever ex-
planned. So quickly and SO accurately
was the abduction performed that the
boats were well clear Of the yacht
before alarm was given by one Of the
watch, who had been overlooked in
the careful assault.
Sleepy sailors rushed on deck with
q promptness that was amazing. Very
quickly they had found and unbound
Brewster, carried a couple Of wound
ed shipmates below and had Captain
Perry in his pajamas on deck to take
command.
'1he searchlightr' cried Brewster
frantcally. '"The devils have stolen
Miss Gray
While swift hands were lowering
the boats for the chase others were
carrying firearms on deck. The search
light threw its mighty white arm out
over the water before many seconds
had passed, and eager eyes were look
ing for the boats Of the pillagers. The
Arabs had reckoned without the
searchIght. Their fierce exultation
died suddenly when the mysterious
streak Of light shot into the sky and
then swept down upon the sea, hunt
ing them out Of the darkness like a
great and relentless eye.
The Filters boats were in the water
an6! manned by sturdy oarsmen before
the glad cry went up that the rob-
Der feet had been discovered. They
were so near the yacht that it was
evident the dusky tribesmen were
poor oarsmen. In the clear light from
the ships deck they could be seen pad
ding wildly. their white robes futter-
ing as though inspired by fear. There
were four boats, all Of them crowded
to the gunwales.
.eKeep the light on them, captain"
shouted Monty from below. "Try to
pick out the boat that has Miss Gray
on board. Pull away, boys! This means
a hundred dollars to every one Of you
yes, thousand if we have to fight for
herr
.r,Sill every one OF them, Mr.. Brew
ster." roared the captain, who had re-
tired behind q boat when he became
aware Of the presence Of women on
deck.
Three boats shot away from the side
Of the yacht, Brewster and Joe Brag-
dor. in the first, both armed with rifles.
Lets take 8 shot at 'emw cried a
sailor who stood in the stern with bis
finger on trigger.
Don't do that! We don't know what
boat holds Peggy" commanded Brew
ster. Keep cool, boys, and be ready to
scrap if we have to-" He was half mad
with fear and anxiety, and he was de-
termiped to exterminate the band OF
robbers if harm came to the girl in
their power.
"She's in the second boatw came the
cry from the yacht, and the searchlight
was kept on that particular object al
most to the exclusion Of the others
But Captain Perry saw the wisdom OF
keeping all Of them clearly located IN
order to prevent trickery.
Brewster's brawny sailor boys came
up like greyhounds. cheering as they
dashed among the boats OF the fug1-
tiyes. Three or four shots were fred
into the air by the Jealous American
lads. and there were loud cries from
the Arabs as they veered of panic
stricken. Monty's boat was now in the
path Of light and not far behind the
one which held Peggy. He was stand
ing in the bow.
Take care Of the others. he called
back to his followers. We'll go after
the leaders"
The response from behind was
cheer. a half dozen shots and some Of
the most joyous profanity that ever fell
from the lips Of American sailors. min
gled with shrieks from the boats they
were to take care Of
Stop Brewster shouted to the
Arabs. Stop, or Well kill every one OF
you His boat was not more than fifty
feet from the other
Suddenly a tall, white robed figure