The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-03
THE NEWS DEMOCRATS DAILY STORY
To be published in daily instalments on this page
-THE
SLAVE SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
By HARRY COLLINGwOOD
CHAPTER XVIII.

The carronade rang out its report from
the bows of the boat. and the shot went
screaming away far over the heads OF
those In the canoes. the Frenchmen firing
tn like manner at almost the same mo-
ment A yell OF dlsmay Immediately arose
from the canoes. and half dozen of
those nearest us dashed their paddles into
the water and began padding precipi-
lately awey. Their panic. however. was
|only momentary: they appeared TO have
seen and heard artillery before. and as
soon as they saw that no damage had
been done. they arrested their fight, and
la contingent OF canoes. numbering quite
la hundred. began cautiously 10 advance
toward US. spreading out on our right and
|1eft In manner which showed that they
tmedltated an attempt TO surround us.
Give 'em another pill, Tom, and slap
1T right into the thick OF 'em this time;
we mustn't let 'em surround us at no
|price," exclaimed old Mildmay. Turn
|round on your thwarts, lads, and pull the
boat gently up stream, starn first. SOS TO
keep our bulldog for'ard there facing
Fem. Now, as soon as you're ready there
with the gun let 'em have IT,"
Once again the carronade spoke out.
and this time It's voice conveyed a death
|message 10 some OF the belligerent blacks,
fthe shot striking one OF the canoes fair
lin the stem. knocking her into match
wood, and killing or naming several II
|her occupants. We naturally expected
THAT this severe lesson would have the ef-
fleet OF sending our troublesome neigh
'bors 10 the right-about en- masse but 10
kour surprise and discomforture this was
&by no means the case; on the contrary,
|it appeared to have thoroughly aroused
4 their most savage instincts, and with a
loud shout they dashed their paddles into
the water. and advanced menacingly to-
/ |ward us.
Load your muskcts. ladsl' exclaimed
kMildmay. as, with eyes cleaning and nos
|frils diated, the old war-horse snurred
[fhe approaching battle: load your mus
{kets, and take to your oars again and
Pack her steadily up stream. Sharp's the
fword and quick's the action; IL those ras-
|cals 'outfank us-as the sodgers call Il
i've may say 'good-by' TO old England.
Mr. Hawkesley, dye think you can pitch
|p bullet into that long chap that's creep
ing up there on our larboard beam? I'm
kabout 10 try my hand and see II / can't
|stop the gallop Of this fellow who's in
Isuch tremendous hurry away here 20
|the nor'ard OF us. Take good aim. now:
I'VE haven't a single bullet that we can
lahord TO throw away. All! that's we'll
F1one,' as / bowled over the individual
who was handling the steering paddle In
khe canoe indicated to me- Now let's
See what an old man can do" He raised
IBIS piece to his shoulder took a long
Fteady aim, and fired A white spot in
|stantly appeared on the side OF the canoe:
fand one of Its occupants sprang convul-
sively 10 his feet and fell headlong into
he river, nearly capsizing the frall craft
|as he did so.
This certainly checked the impetuosity
Pf the two particular canoes. the occu-
pants of which had suffered from our
fire; but the others only pressed forward
with increased O. yerness.
Hang it!' exclaimed the master pet
|ishly, II don't want 10 do It. but shall
{lave TO give 'em a dose OF grape yet.
Why won't the stupid donkeys take a
hint? And why. In the name OF fortune.
Hhould they want 10 interfere with us at
Pill? Try 'em with grape this time. Tom:
/ cts see what they thing OF the fruit OF
{he vine"
/ Meanwhile the French boat had also be-
[tone actively engaged, the report OF her
|tarronade ringing out much more fire.
|uently than our own. whilst rattling vol
|eys of musketry breezed up from her at
brief intervals: but from the steadily de-
[,reasing sharpness Of the reports Il soon
4
tess. 10 our dlsmay. that she was re-
firing. II might. OF course. he merely
strategic movement on st Crolx's part:
but if, on the other hand. he happened TO
[be situated like ourselves. with all his
work cut out TO defend himself. and a
{vay open TO him down stream only. as we
had clear road before us up stream only,
Ehen indeed matters were beginning 20
ook extremely serious for us So far as
BE was concerned. IL he could only avoid
being surrounded he was comparatively
Eafe; the way would be open for his re-
Ereat, and fine breeze happening to be
blowing down the river. he could, with
fhe aid OF his sails. easily outpace the
canoes. But with us the matter was very
[1iferent: our retreat was cut off. and un-
ess we could beat off the canoes the only
course open 10 US seemed 20 be that OF
baking to dry land. intrenchivg ourselves
hs best we might. and patiently waiting
until assistance should arrive.
| Meanwhile. In accordance with Mild