The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-21

TO go, with an uncomfortable feeling that
We had received certain information. part
Of which was probably true whilst part
was undoubtedly false. and that We were
wholly without the means OF distinguish
ing the one from the other.
We returned to the Daphne with out in
formation. such as II was; ana Smeiiie
at once made his report 10 the skipper.
consultation followed in which the first
lieutenant took part and at the end %
half an hour the three officers reappeared
on deck, and the captains gig was piped
away.
Being suspicious. as / have already re-
marked that something unusual was
brewing, l remained on deck during the
progress OF this conference. so as TO at
hand in the event Of my services being
required; and the Pensacola happening 10
be the most prominent object in the land
scape, she naturally came in for n large
share OF my attention during the progress
OF the discussion above referred to- She
was flying no colors when we anchored
I'm such close proximity 10 her. a circum-
stance which / attributed 20 the fact that
she was. to all appearances the only
vessel in the river and I was. therefore.
not much surprised when. a short time
after our visit to her observed her skip
per go aft and run up the American en-
sign 10 his gaff-end.
But / was n little surprised when he
followed this up by hosting a small red
swallow-tailed flag 10 his main royal
masthead. asked myself what could be
the meaning Of this move on his part,
and II did not take me very long to arrive
at the conclusion that II was undoubtedly
meant as n signal OF some sort 10 some
body or other. He was scarcely likely to
do such a thing for the qualification OF
a mere whim. And II IL was a signal.
what did it mean? and TO whom was II
made
There was Of course the possibility that
II was n pre-arranged signal with his
absent mate: but taken in conjunction
with the fact that II was exhibited almost
Immediately after our visit 10 his ship.
coupled with the other fact OF his obvious
attempt 20 keep us In the dark with re-
spect TO certain matters. 1 was greatly
disposed to regard II rather as a warning
signal 10 a vessel or vessels concealed
In one or other of the numerous creeks
which we knew 10 exist i'm our immediate
vicinity. Accordingly. on the appearance
OF the second lieutenant on deck. stepped
up to him and directed his attention
TO the suspicious looking red flag. and
mentioned my surmises as to its mean
ing
Thank you. Mr.. Hawkesley," said he.
II have no doubt II is a signal OF some
slble method OF ascertaining, and more
over. II suits our purpose just now to
take no notice Of H. BY the way, are
YOU anything OF a shot?"
Pretty fair" I replied. II can gen.
orally bring down bird upon the wing
II II is not a very long shot"
Then put your pistols In your belt,
provide yourself with n fowling piece U
will lend you one). and be in readiness
20 x.~lfl l.. IL. w a
upon a sporting expedition"
I needed no second invitation but hur-
ried away at once to make the necessary
preparations; albeit there was some
thing In MIR. Smellies manner which led
me TO think that sport was perhaps after
all a mere pretext and that the actual
object Of our cruise was something much
more serious.
A few minutes sufflced to complete my
preparations, and when / again stepped
on deck, gun in hand Captain Vernon
and Mr.. Smellie were standing near the
gangway rather ostentatiously engaged
In full view Of the American skipper
In examining their gun-locks. swapping
off caps and so on: whilst the steward
was I'm the act of passing down over the
slde-with strict injunctions TO those in
the boat to be careful In the handling OF
it-a capacious basket OF provisions with
snow white cloth protruding out over
Its sides. The precious basket being at
length safely deposited In the gigs stern
sheets. / followed IL down the side; the
second lieutenant came next and the
skipper bringing up the rear. we hoisted
our lugsail, the sea breeze blowing
strongly up the river and showed of; our
motions being lntently scrutinized by the
Yankee skipper as long as we could make
him out
We had scarcely gone a quarter OF
mile before noble crane came sailing
across our course with his head tucked
In between his shoulders. his long stilt-
like leg projecting astern OF him. and his
slowly tapping wings almost touching the
water az every stroke.
(To Be Continued Tomorrow