The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-06-15
HOW THE TWINS
 SAVED THE DAY

navy there cannot be found another such mortifyins episode. yet the Brit ish empire broke into broad grin when all the circumstances became known.
 l When the Emilia was off the east coast of Anticosti wireless message I announced actual war between Eng | land and France. Commodore Sam | son. in command. wired that he would take the Belle Isle route. ands make direct for Blacksod bay. Ireland The French had this advantages: 1 they decided on war while yet the ] English were feeling for peace. This | gave Lieutenant odette his chance. His I destroyer. the Serpent. lay at Brest. l and twenty-four hours before the cer- l tainty of war was known in London he 1 slipped to sea under cover of the night. Heading due West. he held to | that course.
 On his outward journey odette gave the coast of England wide berth. :. search on the Emilia. when the time came. which would not be for some | days yet. That his prey would take the northern route from Canada p felt convinced.
 1 Two o'clock in the morning two days later the Serpent hung just be- | low the horizon, running parallel with | iAt anu ndT CFuiScIS. A Hddcs funnel high, lay thick on the face of the water. A l Suddenly from the crow's-nest of l the Emilia something looked as if. out there in the haze. three sto.e-lids were off. allowing the flames of a | fierce fire to lick and overflow. The bluejacket on lookout was not at a loss, even for the fraction of second. | to account for the apparition. "De- l ct rnp n Before Commodore Samson realized the import of the tidings, alongside swept the dark shape. so close he could have tossed hrs gloves upon its quivering decks. Odette held a mega phone to his lips.
 "fiard a-portr he bawled. 'Hard a-port."
 had been Aven by the Commodore himself.
 When the Emilia had come to a ponderous pause. odette kept way on his craft, circled around and around his prize. and ordered the commodore to lower away a boat. as she wished to put an officer and few men aboard the liner. This was done. and Lieu tenant Langlois with half dozen blue Jackets was rowed aboard. Lieutenant Langlois made direct to the bridge. There he was met by Commodore Samson.
 T have not my sword, and there fore cannot offer it to you, sir said the commodore, looking the young lieutenant unfiinchingly in the eye By heaven, 1t it were not for the pas- sengers carry!--" he could say no more.
 "You are q British sailor, sir. and I fully understand why 1t Is that have the honor of standing on this bridge with you" said the Frenchman. "As for your sword7 hope never to see it but when it hangs by your side"
 q thank vou." said the commodore, with genuine warmth.
 Fortune fought against you. You man would or could have done"
 "Nothing!'
 "That was the only sane thing to do 1 A weaker man wold have attempted something. and"
 Gone to the bottom with all on board"
 we would have been obliged to tor pedo you" The lieutenant shrugged his shoulders.
 T am at your disposal" said the commodore.
 Lieutenant odette made up his mind to lose no time. It was by no means I his intention to take the most direct route to Brest, his mission being most ly spectacular He would mortify that naughty. domineering island people in 6 way that they and theirs would re- member for ever.
 i Late on the evening that followed the morning of capture. odette fell in with the six cruisers which had been | slipped to escort the Emilia.
 In line abreast they rode the swells, their prows pitching high like the heads of war steeds impatient to be up and at their enemy. odette passed within mile of their great guns. II Then followed a long and, to the people of the empire. exasperating cruise. while the whole rest of the world wore an expansive grin. l. Odette- took his capture slowly past Bantry Bay; he lolled across St Georges channel. stood close in to Lands End, as if to give the great gathering of Cornish people who crowned the rocks a good view. Of the Lizard small fleet of news paper boats joined the melancholy procession. keeping well astern. and every mile of the progress was report ed to Fleet street.
 The newspapers called on the .ad- miralty to do something. reminding my lords of the amount of money law ished on the fleet: but what could my lords do? They were not wizards. | royal lives were at stake, and the Frenchman's torpedo tubes were | loaded.
 Then, when the Emilia had come full In view of the grim units of the Channel, and Home fleet, the British | flag, which all this time had been al- lowed to fly over the Emilia, was hauled down and the French flag bent | on above 1t and run to the masthead.
 Thousands beheld this done, for 1t would seem that all England had rushed to the south coast, and there | were many wet eyes. After this final 1 touch, Odette swung around and made direct for Brest.
 l Dinner was over when tap came at | the commodore's door and Lieutenant | Langlois entered with smile on his face.
 q was obliged to read 1t. you know, sir--a message for you--and, having read it. perhaps you will allow me to | felicitate you on the anniversary. I shall be delighted to send any reply you desire to Madam Samson and the | fortunate twins"
 He handed a message to the com modore. Samson took the paper and | read:
 'Have you forgotten the birthday of the twins? They send their love. and they were obliged to embrace your | French fellow voyagers.
 From your wife,
 Constance"
 The bronzed face of Commodore Samson flushed. He ran his fingers | through his hair.
 | oyou had forgotten?" laughed the