The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-06
SLAVE SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
By HARRY COLLINGwOOD
CHAPTER 1-Continued.

The mischief, however. was done; had
acquired love OF the sea and my highest
ambition was TO become a naval officer.
This fact my father at length reluctantly
recognized, and by persistent entreaty
finally prevailed upon him 10 take the
necessary steps TO crafty my hearts de-
sire-with the result already known TO
the reader
The somber reflections induced by the
thought OF my fathers disappointment
6fd not 1 confess with shame. last long
They vanished as morning mist is dis
sipated before the rising sun, when I re-
called TO mind that was not only going
20 sea, but that / was actually going to
sail In the Daphne.
This particular craft was my beau-ideal
OF what a ship ought to be; and in this
opinion was by no means alone-alI my
cronies hailing from the Hard agreeing
without exception. that she was far and
away the handsomest and most perfect
model they had ever seen. My admiration
OF her was unbounded and on the day
OF her lauhch-upon which occasion /
cheered myself hoarse-I felt, as I saw
her gliding swiftly and gracefully down
the ways, that IL would be q priceless
privilege TO sail in her. even I'm the ca
pacity OF the meanest ship-boy And now
] was TO be a mldshipman on board herl
hurried onward with swift and impa-
tient steps, and soon passed through the
dockyard gates-having long ago, by dint
OF persistent coaxing gained the -entree TO
the sacred precincts-when walk OF
some four or FIVE hundred yards further
took me to the berth alongside the wharf
where she was lying
Well as I knew every curve and line Of
her beautiful hull my glances now dwelt
upon her with tenfold loving interest.
She was n shp-sloop of rs guns-long Is
pounders-with a flush deck fore and aft.
She was very long In proportion to her
beam: low In the water and her lines
were as fine as II had been possible to
make them. She had a very light, elegant
looking stern, adorned with n great deal
OF carved scrol-work about the cabin
windows; and her gracefully-curved cut
water was surmounted by an exqustely-
carved full-length figure OF Peneus' love-
ly daughter, with both arms outstretched,
as in the act Of flight, and with twigs and
leaves OF laurel just springing from her
dainty fnger-tips.
There was a great deal OF brass work
about the deck fittings, which CLEANED
and flashed brilliantly In the sun; and. the
paint being new and fresh. she looked al
together superlatively neat. In spite OF the
fact that the operations of rigging and
OF shipping stores were both going on ST.
InultdneOuSlN.
Having satisfied for the time being my
curiosity with regard To the hull OF my
future home. next cast glance aloft at
her spars. She was rigged only as far as
her top-mast head. her topgallant-mssts
being then on deck in process OF prepara-
tion for sending aloft. When I had last
seen her she was under the masting-
shears getting her lower-masts stepped;
and II then struck me that they were Mt
ting her with rather heavy spars. But
now, as I looked aloft. was fairly start
led at the length and girth of her masts
and yards.
To my eye-by no means an unaccus-
toned one-hcr spars seemed taut enough
for a ship OF nearly double her size: and
the rigging was heavy I'm the same pro-
protion. stood there on the wharf
watching with the keenest interest the
scene OF hustle and animation on board
until the bell rang the hour OF noon, and
all hands knocked OF work atd went 10
dinner: by which time the three topgal-
iant-masts were aloft with the rigging all
ready for setting up when the men turn
ed-to again The addition OF these spars
20 thelength OF her already lofty masts
gave the Daphne. In my opinion, more