The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-30

after a fercely maintained struggle OF
some IL minutes or so, the brig 3 crew
began TO give way before our own lads.
until, finding themselves hemmed In on
all sides, they flung down their arms and
begged for quarter. which was OF course
given them. Upon this. seeing that the
turned to go below. thinking that I
should perhaps discover poor Austin In
durance vile In one OF the staterooms.
/ descended the cabin staircase, and
was about to pass into the saloon when
happened TO catch sight out OF the cor
ner or my eye. OF some dark object NOV
ing I'm an obscure corner under the stair
case. Turning TO take a more direct look
at IL, /, 10 my great surprise, discovered
II to be NJ. lie Breton. who, instead OF
being dead as I had quite imagined he
must be, was alive, and, seemingly, not
very much the worse for his wound. He
carried n pistol In his hand and was In
the very act OF lowering himself down
through a trap In the flooring when
grasped him by the collar and invited
him to explain his Intentions. He quietly
allowed me 10 drag him out OF the open
ing. rose TO his feet. and then suddenly
closed with me. aiming fierce blows at
my uncovered head--1 had lost my hat
somehow in the struggle on deck-with
the heavy brass-mounted butt OF his pis
toll In such an encounter as this ] did
tall of my age, and having developed n
fair share OF muscular strength since
leaving England: but II was as much as
! could do 10 hold him and at the same
time prevent his inflicting some serious
injury upon me. His wound. however
told upon him at last, and I eventually
succeeded I'm dragging him back to the
deck. though not until after he had inef-
fectually emptied his pistol at me.
gVt,, he leoIx n 1oI 40
busy securing the prisoners. and NJ. lie
Breton was soon made as safe as the rest
OF them.
He was loudly protesting against the
indignity OF being bound. when Capt.
Vernon approached.
"Ohl here you are. Hawkesley!' he ex-
claimed. 1T was looking for you, and
began 10 fear that you had met with a
mishap. Do me the favor 10 step below
and see II you can discover anything or
Mr.. Austin"
"I have already once been below with
that object, SIR" replied; but. discov-
ering this man--Le Breton as he calls
himself-acting In a very suspicious man.
ner. I deemed IL my duty TO see him safe
on deck before proceeding further in my
quest"
What was he doing?" asked the skip
per sharply.
interrupted lie Breton recklessly. II vas
on. my way 10 re zoute aux poudres TO
blow you ond all re people TO ze devil TO
keep company wiz your inqueezstif first
leftenant And I would have done EFT,
too. but for Eat pestilent midshipman.
who has ze gripe Of ze devil himself
Peste you Eengleesh. you are like re
bouledoRue, ven you take hold you not
nevare let go again"
IIo uylra Nv n Nnn think
of that for a compliments" laughed the
skipper $50, monsieur7" he resumed,
"yuo were about 10 blow us up, ehl
Very kind OF you, I'm sure. Perhaps
YOU will Increase our obligation 10 you
by informing me what you have done
with Mr.. Austin7"
Done wig him!" reiterated Ie Breton
with a diabolical sneer. 'Why, I have
sent him TO 10 bottom OF re creek where
I would have sent you all II you had not
been too cautious 20 accept my polite In
vitation."
"Do I understand you 10 moan that you
have murdered him7'' thundered the skip
per.
YES" was the reckless answer;
drowned him or murdered him, call II
what you will
You treacherous scoundreli" ejaculat-
ed the skipper hoarsely: "you shall be
made To bitterly account for this unpro-
voked outrage; clap him in irons" turn
ing 10 the master-at-arrns who happened
10 be close at hand. Poor Austini' he
continued. "Your suspicious. Hawkes.
ley. have proved only too correct: the
craft is. unquestionably, a slaver-or
worse We must have her thoroughiy
overhauled: possibly some documents OF
great value may he found slowed away
somewhere or other. I'll see TO II at
once" And he forthwith dived below
CTo be continued tomorrow)