Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-04-26
half an hour, and III engage to fix the

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.
It must have been fully half an hour
later when perceived Sercombe ap-
preaching. He walked quickly and as
one under excitement
ssWell?" we asked in a breath.
sT've done it." he said. though !
take back my words about terra frma
Hoods going to sea-"
Sheppard whistled.
II 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, couldn't see much of the crew,
| but that could see He's got the load
| aboard by this time"
.sThen we're donev' l cried
.'No, not Bit said Sercombe cheer
fully. 1--WE taken French leave with
bit of boat down yonder. Daren't
stop to wake 'em up for permission,
you know, Mr.. Greatorex. 'Twould
take too long and delay us and make
it public. We can pay coming back"
We did not stop to discuss the eth
les of the question, but the feeling that
the time was past for argument and
that henceforward we were committed
by our original decision to certain
course of action showed aside sophis-
tries and ran down to the beach. Here
Sercombe had secured numbering and
ugly boat, furnished with dipping Tugs.
"It doesn't look very much" he whis-
pered, "but it's the only craft sufficient
ments quiet
Sheppard stared down at it dubious
~. ITS not a rig like he said.
But here Montgomery pointed with
his finger, selling me by the arm.
"There they 60" he said.
'Then here we 60" returned Ser
combe, leaping into the boat
Sure enough, in the lessening dark
ness l could catch sight of blacker
spot. moving slowly outward. We ran
up the Tugs under Sheppard's direction,
and the boat stood out.
eve shall have more. wind" whis-
pered Sheppard to me- IT don't think
we see the end of this yet"
I'm sure we don't" returned mood
lily. what are we going to do now?
We have played the fool and must go
on playing the fool, suppose"
l spoke somewhat bitterly, for at
that moment an interval of sanity
reigned in my mind, and / seemed to
see in flash the portentous conse-
quences of this adventure.
Anyhow we must go Oh" said Shep-
pard briefly and put up his tiller to
fetch the nose of the boat about.
Even as we ceased speaking the wind
came down in a roaring from the wide
spaces of the channel and blew out our
Tugs till they rang like drunheads. A
great noise filed the seas, and the
blocks were straining and shrieking.
Sheppard was a skilled hand, and he
kept his head cool He came up to the
wind as near as the abominable Jugs
would let him. There was no sign of
the other boat.
"She'Il beat down the estuary" said
Sercombe, land make for some point
upon the Somersetshire coast, proba-
bly,"
mo, no; he's bound for Newport"
said Sheppard. "He can get away
from Newport like any honest skipper.
Anyway, wen try it at that"
The gale tore at the canvas as though
it would strip it in ribbons. We had
a great way on, the boat scudding
through the rough water with her port
gunwales ripping under the foam. We
got out some distance, and then he
said
81 must fetch her round. Wen have
to try long board IN this wind"
We said nothing, but jumped to the
lug. Down dropped the sail, a heavy
lump of damp canvas, and Montgom-
cry and / hauled till we dragged 1t
into position.
"Lord, what beastv' said Shep-
pard. He put over the tiller, and round
she swung the Tugs cracking and the
blocks jumping. She lurched as though
she would go over, and then, the white
water streaming over her bows, she
started off like hare upon her new
course.
'sBy thunder said sercombe, .'she
goes wellv'
Anything would go in this weather"
returned Sheppard.
Sercombe laughed Its good
night for US" he observed.
Montgomery at this juncture raised
q cry which took our eyes to him. The
light was rising over. the water, and
soft darkness ruled.
81 see them,' he said.
You're right, by lover cried the
captain, from the bows. "She's there"
Sheppard peeped under the sail. "a
yawl," he said, "and we can catch
them if we want to-"