The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-19
--THE
SLAVE SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
By HARRY COLLINGwOOD
CHAPTER .V.-Continued.

The incident which revived my very
singular suspicious was as follows:
Upon learning the full dttais OF
Richards story. Captain Vernon had
come 10 the conclusion that the brig
which destroyed the Juliet was a vessel
devoted TO the combined pursuits OF piracy
and slave trading: that she was. in all
probability. one Of the three vessels re-
ported by the Fawn as daily expected
20 arrive on the coast from Cuba: and
that it was more than likely her destina-
tion was the Congo. He therefore deter
mined to make the best Of his way hack
10 that river. IN the sanguine hope Of
effecting her capture; after which he in
tended TO run down 10 ST. Paul de Loande
90 land the crew of the Juliet, Richards
having expressed a desire to be taken
there II possible.
1t was on the fourth day after We had
picked up the Juliet's crew. and we were
working our way back TO the mouth OF
the Congo, making short tacks across the
track Of vessels running the notorious
reported sail about three points ON the
weather bow running down towards US
under perfect cloud Of canvas. 1t was
at once conjectured that this might be
Richards late free-and- easy acquaintance
outward bound with a cargo Of slaves ON
board; and the Daphne was accordingly
Kept away couple Of points 10 inter
cept him, the hands being ordered to hold
themselves in readiness to jump aloft
and make sail on the instant that the
stranger gave the slightest sign Of an In
tention TO avoid us. At the same time
Mr.. Armitage, our third lieutenant, pro-
ceeded aloft to the main top mast cross
trees with his telescope to maintai a
vigilant watch upon the motions of the
approaching vessel
All hands were OF course in an instant
on the qui vive the momentary expecta-
tion being that the stranger would shorten
sail, haul upon a wind, and endeavor to
evade us. But minute arter minute passed
without the slightest indication OF any
such intention and very shortly his royals
rose into view above the horizon from the
deck; then followed has topgallant- sails.
finally the hull of his ship appeared upon
the horizon, with studdlng sails allow and
sloft on both slides. running down dead
before the wind and evidently going
through the water at a tremendous pace.
Every available telescope i'm the ship
was now brought TO bear upon the craft,
and presently her foreroyal and foretop-
gallantsail were observed TO collapse, the
yards slid down the mast. and the sails
l.,tt la ~ l.o
next instant the French tricolor nuttered
out from her foreroyal- masthead, the only
position from whence IL could be made
visible TO us: and simultaneously with
its appearance the conviction came TO us
all that I'm the approaching vessel we were
about TO recognize our recent acquaint-
ance. the Vestale. our ensign, which
was already bent on the peak -halyards.
was promptly run up In response. where
upon the French ensign disappeared. TO
be instantly replaced by a string OF sig
nails. our signal book was at once pro-
duced. our answering pennant run half
mast IN and we then began to read the
following signal:
Have you sighted?'
Our penrant was then mastheaded 10
show that we understood; the flags dis
appeared on board the Frenchman. and
another batch was run up. which. being
Interpreted. meant;
Brig
This also was acknowledged. and the
signaling was continued until the whole
message WAS completed. thus:
Same tonnage as
"Ourselves-"
Hull"
painted"
-Ar black"
steering w n. w.7'
The final airing Of flags then disap-