The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-13

80 feet OF her we found II impossible to
approach any nearer. owing TO the In
tense heat II was manifestly impossible
that any living thing could be In the
midst OF that f1ercely flaming furnace. so
we were compelled TO content ourselves
with merely ascertaining the name OF
siderable difficulty we at length made out
10 be the Highland Chieftain, OF Glas-
gov, after which we left her.
on pulling out clear OF the smoke and
glare OF the flames once more we found
ourselves TO be about six miles distant
from the brig, distance OF about II
Daphne. Night had by this time closed
completely down upon us: the deep. clear,
violet sky above us was thickly powdered
With stars which were wayeringly re-
meath, and away To the eastward the
broad disk OF the full moon was just
rising clear Of the horizon and casting
long rIppling wake Of golden light from
the oceans rim clear down 10 us.
oar first glance was Of course In the
direction OF the Daphne. Her towering
and vanished as the enormous idly flap
ping sails caught and lost again. with
the heave of the vessel. the CLINT OF the
golden moonbsams: but. save this. all
terms flashed in her rigging as recall
signal, 80 exultingly gave the order for
the boats to be headed straight for the
brig. determined to win her II dash and
courage could do II.
Pull steadily lads" I cautioned. as
the two crews bent their backs. and with
a ringing cheer started the boats in rae
ing style: mo racing now. we cannot af-
ford the strength for It. all you have
Will he wanted when we get alongside the
chase; she is doubtless we'll manned with
a determined crew who will not give In
without tough struggle. so husband
your strength as much as possible Mr..
Peters" to the midshipman In charge of
the second cutter, drop In my wake,
sir. n you please. and see that your men
do not overtask themselves"
The men obediently eased down at once,
and we logged steadily along al a pace
Of about four knots an hour.
But their eagerness soon got the better
OF them. the pace gradually increased.
and | had to constantly check them or we
should have been tearing away as fiercely
as ever
This state OF things lasted for about
half an hour and then the gleam Of Lam
terms suddenly appeared in the Daphne's
rigging. II was the recall signal and the
men gave audible vent 10 their feelings OF
disappointment In an involuntary groan.
Never mind. men," / said: II have no
doubt Capt Vernon has some good reason
for H. Answer the signal coxswain. All.
told you so; the sloop has a little breeze
and here II comes creeping up astcrn OF
us. Step the mast. take the covers off
tho sails. and get the canvas on the boats
Do YOU see that bright red star close 10
the horizon? Starboard bit. So. steady.
now you have II fair over the boats stem.
Steer for II. and we shall just drop along
side the sloop nicely, without troubling
her 10 wait for us"
The breeze soon reached us. toying coy
ly with the boats canvas az FIRST. but
gradually bellying out the sails until at
last they went 10 sleep" The breeze
was. after all. merely the gentlest OF
zephyrs. only Just sufficient 10 give a ship
stecrnge- way; but very fortunately for
us. the boats were provided by n whim
OF poor Austin's. with n suit each OF enor-
nous lateen sails made Of light duck
with yards Of such a length that they had
10 be jointed In the middle 10 enable them
10 be slowed In the boats: they were just
the thing for light airs. and under their
persuasive influence we were soon gliding
smoothly through tho scarcely rufied
water quite as fast az the men could have
propelled US with the oars. An hour
later we slid handsomely up alongside the
sloop. which by this time was slipping
along at the rate OF about FIVE knots un-
der studding- sails and everything else
that would hold a breath OF wind and
the boats were hoisted In without any
interruption TO the ships progress.
(To be continued tomorrow