The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-17

old Madre Dolores. who could nowhere
be found had been forcibly carried of
Having come 10 this conclusion, we next
patiently tracked the footprints which
led us through the wood down to the heat
OF the creek referred to by Don Manuel.
on the muddy banks OF which we dis
tinctly traced not only the heavy foot
prints OF the abductors. but also the
lighter ones Of presumably, Dona Anto-
MIA and her nurse as we'll as the mark
OF the boats keel where she had been
grounded. This much determined, Don
Manuel next led US 10 a spot from which
he assured us that Senor Madera's vessel
could be seen: and there. sure enough
we saw our old foe the Black Venus
snugly moored In the creek
A council of war was at once held as
to what should he our next proceeding
1t was manfestly impossible 10
attack the brig there and then:
our little force was " liy made
quite TO the capture OF the vessel.
and any attempt TO do so would only
have resulted In putting her crew upon
their guard. Don Manuel Informed We
that, from his knowledge of the creek.
he was certain there would not be suf
hlcient depth OF water over the sand bar
at It's mouth to allow OF the orig sailing
before high water, which would be at
about half-past o'clock, that evening
but we were unanimously of opinion that.
having secured his prey. Senor MADEIRA
would sail then. As TO what might hap
pen in the interim II would not bear
thinking Of and we could only hope and
pray for the best.
Having by this time obtained all the
light which II was possible to gain ou
the matter, we prepared TO return To tho
Virginia. Don Manuel eagerly accepting
Smeliie's invitation to accompany us. But
before doing this, there lay before Us the
melancholy task Of burying poor Pedros
body, and with the aid of half ~ dozen
men from the gig this was accomplished
as speedily as possible, after which the
down to the boat and made the best OF
our way back TO our ship.
Poor Smellic behaved most admirably
under the very trying circumstances.
fous. /, who knew him so we'll could
easily see: but with a determination and
lirmness of will which | heartily envIed,
he resolutely put aside all other consid-
eratons and devoted all his energies TO
the solution of the problem of what IL
would bc best to do We were "A silent
and thoughtful party as We wended our
way back TO the ship: but once there. the
skipper PROMPTLY led the way To his
cabin and informed Don Manuel and me
that he had decided upon a plan OF ac-
ton.
IT was exceedingly simple. He was. he
said. more firmly convinced than ever
that the Black Venus would sail that
night The weather was clear and fine.
Nii' bh' 'lilfA'A lltHiit anu We lllelN liitA'-
fore reckon with certainty upon the
springnc up OF the land breeze shortly
after sunset This breeze would be a
fair wind out Of the river: but so long
as ~ lasted no ship could re-enter against
it and the strong current. Smelies
plan, therefore. was simply 10 so outside
as soon as the evening mists gathered
sufficiently 20 conceal our movements
and there await the Black Venus. trust
ing TO the speed of the Virginia and our
own maneuvering 10 enable us to get
promptly alongside her.
The plan looked very promising. and 70
was adopted. The messenger was at
once passed. and the ship hove short
after which we awaited with such pa
tlence as we could muster for the gath
ering Of the mist. At length. about Z
4. m. tn anchor was tripped. and the
Virginia glided gracefully out OF the
creek TO seaward. under topsails. ib. and
boom mainsail. We knew almost To
hairs s. breadth the course which the
Black Venus must steer FOR the FIRST
seven or eight miles after clearing shark
Point. and Smellie placed us right across
this track. tanning the vessel close upon
"A wind and wearing short round rvery
~ minutes: by which plan We were n,.ver
more than ten minutes sail from the line
over which we expected the cneiny 20
To BE Continued Tomorrow