The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-28
SLAVE SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
By HARRY COLLINGwOOD
CHAPTER VIII.

H"Thats all right. Southeast Is your
purse all the way across. Now We are
aginning TO draw off from the point and
n into mid stream. and there must be
10 more talking upon any pretense what
#fer. The noise Of the Insects Will tell
s when we are drawing in with the
ther bank. on night like this one
as 10 be guided in great measure by
ound, and even the chirp OF the grass
koppers may be made useful. Mr..
yIawkesley"
murmured a whispered assent as in
uty bound. and then all hands relapsed
Nlto silence once more.
The men worked steadily away at the
ars not exerting themselves to any
kreat extent. but keeping the boat NOV
Rng at the rate OF about four knots per
nour. According to our time reckoning.
Ind the fact that the volume Of sound
Iroceeding from the southern bank OF the
liver had overpowered that from the
Forthern bank, we had accomplished
tather more than the half OF our passage
fcross the stream. when. happening TO
false my head upon emerging from a
brown study into which I had fallen.
thought / caught momentary glimpse
bf some object looming through the fog
broad on our port beam. l looked more
Earnestly still. and presently felt con-
Einced that there was something there.
Laying my hand on the second lieuten-
Ifnts arm to call his attention. / whs-
bered:
n Can you see anything out there, sir.
abreast OF Us on our port hand?'
smellie looked eagerly in the indicated
direction for some moments. and then
turning 70 the coxswain, whispered.
"Starboard-hard!"
The boats helm was put over. her
bows swept round. and then l was GER
hahn that we were being watched. for as
the launch swerved out OF her course
lthe object became suddenly more dis
,tinct, only 10 vanish completely into the
FOG the next moment, however. its oours Sc
being as suddenly and promptly altered
as our own. thus proving that there were
.other eyes at least az sharp as ours. But
that single momentsry glance had been
|sufficient to show me that the object was
la native canoe containing three persons.
The second lieutenant was seriously
disconnected at this discovery. and was
evidently in great doubt as 10 whether X
would be more prudent 10 push on or TO
turn back. II the occupants OF the canoe
happened to be associated with the
slavers. and had been sent out as scouts
IN anticipation OF an attack from us.
then there could be little doubt that II
would be wiser to turn back. since a light
creek far enough ahead OF us TO give the
alarm. in which case we should flnd a
warm reception prepared for us: and In
80 dense a fog all the advantage would
be on the side Of those manning the slave
feet.
On the other hand. the recontre might
possibly have been purely accidental and
dts occupants supremeiy Indifferent to
the movements OF ourselves apd the slav-
a-t. ~
only mortifying In the extreme but pos
sibiy fatal TO smeiies prospects Ia the
service II he allowed himself TO be fright
ened out Of the advantage of 80 excellent
an opportunity for efrecting surprise.
IL was a most embarrassing problem
with which he thus suddenly found him
self brought face TO face; but with a
brave man the question could not long
remain an open one: few seconds suf-
feed him TO determine on proceeding and
taking our chance.
The sounds from the shore now rap
idly increased in intensity. and by and
by we suddenly found that they pro-
ceeded from both sides Of the boats. Smell
lie drew out his watch and consulted II
by the light Of the boats pinnacle.
Twenty minutes to twelve and we
are now entering the creek" he whis-
pered to me.
The slayers, we knew, were anchored
about two miles up the creek. and the
conviction suddenly smote me that In an
other half-hour | should. in all probab-
ility, be engaged In n fierce and dealy
strusgle. Somehow UP TO that moment
! had only regarded the attack as re-
mote possibility-a something which might
but was not very likely 10 harcer. sup
pose I had unconsciously been entertain
ing doubt as to the possibility OF our
finding the creek. Yet, there we were In
n. and nothing could now avert a combat.
and more or less bloodshed. Nothing.
that is. except the exceedingly unlikely
circumstance OF our finding the birds
flown
Did I wish this7 Was I afraid7
Honestly. l am unable 20 say whether
] was or not; but am inclined to acquit
myself on the charge OF cowardice My
sensations were perculiar and rather
unpleasant. | freely admit. but looking
back on them now in the light OF long
years of experience | am disposed to at
tribute them entirely 20 nervous excite
ment. Hitherto my nostrils had never
sniYed the odor OF powder purned In
anger: was about 10 undergo a perfect
iy new experience; was about 10 engage
with my fellow-men in mortal combat.
20 come face 20 face with and within
arm s-leneth Of those who II the oppor-
tunity occurred. would take my life de-
lfberateiy and without moments hesi-
tation. In short half-hour I might be