The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-27
THE NEWS DEMOCRATS DAILY STORY
To be published in daily nstalments on this page
--THE
SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
By HARRY COLLINGwOOD
CHAPTER VIII.

feel particularly uncomfortable, especially
II they happened TO occur in one of the
brief intervals OF silence on shore Once.
in particular. during one OF those silent
intervals, my hair fairly brIstled as the
boat was suddenly but silently brought
up all standing by coming into violent
collision with some object which broke
water directly under our bows; the shock
being instantly followed by a low moaning
sigh and a tremendous swirl OF the water
as the creature-whatever Il was-sank
again beneath the surface or the river.
The men in the launch were. like my
self. considerably startled at the circum-
stance. and one OF them-an Irishman-ex-
claimed. In the first paroxysm OF his dis
may:
"Howly ropeyarns! what was that7 Is
IL ship-wrecked stranded, and cast away
we are on the back of a say-crocodile? I?
Thin. Mister Crocodile. let me tell yez at
wansr that I'm not good to ate; I'm so
sthrongly favored wild the tibaccy that
I'd be shure TO disagray wild yez"
This absurd exclamation appealed so
forcibly 10 the mems sense OF the ridicu-
lous that IL had the instant effect OF
steadying their nerves and raising a
hearty laugh, which, however. was as in
stantly checked by Smelie. who, though
he could not restrain smile. exclaimed
sharply:
cry out In that ridiculous fashion, Flan-
aghan7 / have a good mind 10 report
you, sir, as soon as we return to the the
ship"
who shall say how many of US will
live 20 return?"
''Merciful God! who spoke7" hoarsely
cried tho second lieutenant. And well he
might. The words were uttered In
sound scarcely above whisper. In so low
tone, indeed, that but for Smelles
startled ejaculation l should almost have
been inclined to accept them as prompted
by my own excited imagination; yet
saw In an instant that every man In the
boat had heard them and was as much
startled as myself who had uttered
them, indeed7 Every mans look, as his
Mortified glance sought his nelghbors
face. asked the same question Nobody
seemed 10 have recognized or to be able
to Identify the voice; and the strangest
thing about II was that II did not appear
TO have been spoken in the boat at all.
but from a point close at hand
The men had. with one accord. laid upon
their oars in the first shock or this new
surprise. and before they had recovered
themselves the first cutter had ranged
UP alongside.
Odd anyone speak on board you. Ar
mitage7" asked Smelie
mo. certainly not" was the reply
'Did you hear any one speak on board
the second cutter them" followed
mo heard nothing why?"
mo matter" muttered the second lieu
tenant Then, in low but somewhat
louder tone:
Give way, launches; some one has been
trying to play a trick upon us"
The men resumed their work at the
oars; but an occasional scracely -hea I'd
whisper reaching by ears and suggesting
ha
sentences as Some OF us doomed
'Iose the number of our mess" etc. etc.
showed that very unfortunate impress
sion had been made by the strange in
cldent.
AS we proceeded. the second lieutenant
began TO consult his watch. and. at last
turning 10 me as he slipped IL back into
LAS fob. he whispered:
"A quarter after ten We ought now IN
be close to Boolambemba Point. but the
fog keeps so dense that am afraid there
is no chance OF our sighting IT.
The insect chorus had been silent for an
unusually long time when he spoke; nut
as the words left Smeilie's lips the sounds
burst out once more this time In start
ling proximity TO our larhoard hand.
"By George there IL Is though sure
enough" continued Smelie 'By the
sharpness OF the sound we must be close
aboard OF the point How Is her head.
coxswain3"
Before the man could reply there cam.
In low murmer from the men pulling
the port oars:
We're stirring UP the mud here, sir.
on the port hand"
And at the same moment. looking m
we became aware that the darkness was
deeper-more intense and OPAQUE. as n
were, on our port hand than anywhere
else
IAN rfght!'' answered Smeilie; "that is
the point. sure enough, and very prettfiy
we have hit n on II we can only make as
good a shot at tho mouth OF the creek I
shall be more than satisfied How have
you been steering. coxsweln7"
Southeast. sir. as straight as ever
could keep her"
CTo Be Continued Tomorrow