The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-14
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 IV.-Continued.

But the picture presented to our view by
the long avenue OF variesated foliage.
looped and festooned In every direction
with fiowery creepers loaded with blooms
OF the most gorgeous hues; and the deep
green-almost black-Shadows contrasted
here and there with long arrowy shafts
OF greenish light glanoing down through
invisible openings In the leafy arch above.
and lighting up into prominence some
feathery spray OF dropping fiowery wreath.
was enchsntingly beautiful.
We were all sitting motionless and
silent wrapped I'm admiration Of the en-
chanting scene. all the more enchanting
perhaps, TO US from its striking contrast
TO the long monotony of sea and sky only
upon which our eyes had so lately rested.
when slight. sharp cracking sound
proceeding from apparently but a short
distance on In the bush on our port bow
arrested our attention. The boat had
by this time lost her way. and the men,
abruptly reused from their trance OF won
dering admiration. were about once more
10 dip their oars in the water when Mr..
Austtns uplifted hand arrested them.
The sounds continued at intervals: and
presently, without so much as the rust
ling OF bough to prepare us for the ap-
partition. a magnificent antelope emerged
from the bush about fifty yards away.
and stepped daintily into the water. His
quick eye detected In an instant the un-
wonted presence Of our boat and our
selves. and instead Of bowling his head
at once to drink. as had evidently been his
first intention, he stood motionless as a
statue. gazing wonderingly at us. He was
a superb creature standing as high at
the shoulders as COW, with smooth
glossy hide of very delicate chocolate
color-except along the belly and on the
inner side OF the thighs. where the hair
was milk whlte-and long, sharp, grace
fully curving horns. We were so close TO
him that we could even distinguish the
greenish lambent sleam Of his eyes.
Mr.. Austin very cautiously reached out
his hand for a musket which lay on the
thwart beside him. and had almost
grasped X, when-in tho millionth part
of a second, as II seemed TO me. so rapid
was it--there was a flashing swirl Of
water directly In front OF the deer and
before the startled creature had time
to make so much as a single movement
to save Itself. an immense alligator had
seized IL by foreleg and was tug -tugging
at IL in an endeavor 70 drag II into deep
water. The deer however. though taken
by surprise and at disadvantage. was
evidently determined not to yield without
a struggle. and lowering his head he made
lunge after lunge at his antagonist with
the long, sharply pointed horns which
had so excited my admiration. holding
bravely back with his three dsengaged
legs the while.
give way, men" shouted Mr.. Austin
in a voice which made the leafy archway
ring again. steer straight for the croco-
die. Tom; plump the boat right on him:
and. bow-oar lay In and stand by TO prod
the fellow with your boat-hook. Drive IL
into him under the arm pit n you can:
that, l believe. is his most vulnerable
part"
Animated by the first lieutenant's =
evident excitement. the men dashed their
oars into the water. and. with tug which
made the stout ash slaves buckle like
fishing rods, sent the boat forward with
n rush.
The alligator--or crocodile whichever he
happened to be-was however, In the
meantime. getting the best OF the strug-
gle dragging the antelopse steadily ahead
into deeper water every instant, I'm spite
Of the beautiful creatures desperate re-
sistance. We were only n few seconds in
reaching the scene OF the conflict. vet
during that brief period the buck had
been dragged forward until the water was
up to his belly.
Hold waterl back hard of alli'' cried
Mr.. Austin. standing UP in the stern
sheets. musket In hand as we ranged up
alongside the frantic deer Now give Il
him with your boat hook: drive Il well
home into him. That's your sort. Ben:
another like that and he must let go.
Well struck now another
Banpl
(To be continued tomorrov)