Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-19

' lAOAi0AACAf do0 tbC WnA4 VIII ACSR our news from them. But fancy this has got to be settled on terra firma." T agree with you,' l assented. | s"PuA on. then" he replied and him self prepared for action.
 As Sheppard and Montgomery dipped their oars a swell of the tide struck her on the broadside, whither she had fallen away. Simultaneously capful of wind darted upon us. The tub rolled over and kicked till the gunwale lay under the water. We flung ourselves to the farther side, and she lighted, the sea pouring in a cataract across her bows. Her nose sank deeply in the trough. and felt the boards slant away from me toward the stern.
 "She is sinking.' said Montgomery.
 Give way! Give wayr' called Shep- pard sharply. Put her head up." And the two drove the sculls through the masses of foaming water. The dingey took a jump forward, broadside on to the water. and under the brisk strokes of the rowers leaped a second time. Then her bows went down, and, rolling her head to one side like wounded porpoise. she sank slowly with a gur- gling and a churning of water. I When I saw that a wreck was inev- | itable I dropped into the sea and ! struck ont for the shore. Three or four strokes brought me into my depth. and I stood waist deep in the tossing waves and looked for the others. I called to them loudly, and one by one 1 they emerged out of she darkness of the foam. We stood together dripping on the flat shore.
 ''This is a good thing was the first | thing Sercombe said as he wrung out | the wet from his coat T said we should have to fight it out ashore You ! see, we daren't have risked the treas { ure afoat"
 There was sense in this, but it struck me comically at the time.
 They'll certainly never make for open water in that boat tonight" said Sheppard.
 "We'H catch 'em at Portagree," re marked Montgomery cheerfully.
 "Well, we all seem agreed that we < are in luck and that nothing better could have happened to us," I said, l with a laugh.
 There's one thing I'm going to do l before I go yard farther" said Ser combe, "and that is to clean my pistol and put in a fresh cartridge" Amen" said Montgomery. We followed the example. and then ! we all set out along the margin of the estuary. running at the first to make up for lost time. But Hood had the tide and the wind against him, and he i made way slowly, so that we soon came near enough to the boat for our purposes. The night was so thick that we could discern very little. but no one 1 doubted that we were within striking distance of our enemy. So we kept along the shore until the lights of Portagree came into sight.
 | It was by now somewhere near in ! the morning, and the village, which was collection of poor cottages on i that barren and exposed shore, was 1 wrapped in sleep. Only lamp or ! two shone from the windows of the houses and some lights of the little { craft riding in the road. Waste land, scattered with furze and low growing bushes, lay at the back of the village, and here we halted to decide upon our { action. We have got to find out what ! Hoods after" I said. Hell be in Portagree shortly. We must watch him."
 That's the only course" agreed Ser combe. We can do nothing till we know that. And see here this is no business for party, but for picket. ] I'll take that job myself. Give me half an hour, and I'll engage to fix the business"
 To that we agreed. and the captain departed. moving cautiously toward the village, while we three threw our selves upon the ground in our damp clothes and waited with what patience we might summon D..
 It must have been fully half an hour later when I perceived Sercombe ap- preaching. He walked quickly and as one under excitement
 .Swell?" we asked in a breath.
 i've done it." he said. though I take back my words about terra frma. Hoods going to sea"
 Sheppard whistled.
 "I got a good post behind cottage and spied on him. He's transferred his luggage to a yacht. By thunder, but he must have made his preparations well. I couldn't see much of the crew. but that I could see. He's got the load aboard by this time"
 Then we're doner' cried.
 "No, not a bit,- said Sercombe cheer fully. I've taken French leave with bit of boat down wonder. Daren't stop to wake 'em up for permission. you know, Mir. Greatore1. 'Tvould take too long and delay us and make 'tpubiic. We can pay coming back"
 We did not stop to discuss the eth is of the question. but the feeling that the time was past for argument and that henceforward we were committed
 by our original decision to q certain course of action I showed aside sophis- tries and ran down to the beach. Here serconbe had secured numbering and ugly boat. furnished with dipping Jugs.
 1t doesn't look very nuch.- be rhis- pered. but it's the only craft sufficient.
 ly fsr from them to keep our move
 nents auiet.--