The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-14

|,yell. Mr. Hawkesley. what news from
burning ship?" exclaimed the skip
as stepped up TO him to make my
prt.
Iexplained TO him the state In WHICH
had found the vessel when We reached
and gave him her name.
Ihr he remarked. well, IL is bad Job
|ery bad business altogether. can
n hope we may find the crew uninjur-
bn board the brig when we catch her;
| / think IL is rather doubtful Now
away down into my cabin and tell
hes TO give you some dinner. ] expect
yrything viii be cleared away In the
9d-room by this"
h descending TO the cabin found that
skipper had been considerate enough
Rive orders that a nice little dinner
I'D be ready for me on my return, and
se orders having been carried out TO
letter was enabled TO sit down in
he and enjoy the meal for which the
pull in the boats had given me n
II voracious appetite. The meal over.
Xeing then my watch below, turned
relieving Mr. Armitage at midnight,
und that the weather was still fine.
wind the merest shade fresher than
bd been when left the deck anG the
e directly ahead. about twelve miles
nj, her upper canvas showing distinct
the brilliant rays OF the moon.
; had gained upon her about a couple
lilies during the four hours l had been
W., and Capt. Vernon-who had been
eek during the whole of the previous
In. and was just about TO retire for
night--was In high spirits. and con-
I In his belief that IL all went well. we
Ia make the capture before sunset
he following day. The best helmsman
y-watch was ordered 10 the wheel
b regular tour OF the decks. taking
xtra pull at a ballard sere. and. in
B. doing everything possible to in
BE the speed of the ship. and so my
'h-passed away; the Daphne having
another couple OF miles nearer TO
chase during the interval.
Us matters went on until noon OF the
wing day, when the wind once more
led symptoms Of falling, whilst the
became overcast. threatening n
ge of weather. We had by this time
Tened the distance between ourselves
the chase until a space OF only some
n miles or so separated us, and every
on board, fore and aft. was in n
OF impatience TO get alongside the
which our glasses had already as
us was none other than the noto-
Black Venus. She had already
kd herself so slippery a customer that
most superstitious feeling had sprung
our breasts with regard 10 her; we
hat however closely we might sue
in approaching her. however help
she might seem 10 he In our power,
could be no dependence whatever
appearances. and that until we had
|utely succeeded In placing prize
upon her decks, and her own crew
bns. we could not feel by any means
lin that she was ours. Hence the ex-
dinary feeling OF excitement and i'm
nee which prevailed on board the
ne on that memorable afternoon.
but 2 o'clock the wind changed, and
ere obliged 20 take I'm the studding
|n the port side and get n pull upon
ort braces. Meanwhile n heavy bank
buds had gathered I'm the southwest
tuarter, and was gradually working
ralnst the wind. until by 3 O'Clock
the sun was obscured and the entire
ms blotted out by the huge. murky
OF seething vapor. 10 was my watch
but. like everybody else. was too
excited 10 remain anywhere but on
and. 20 confess the truth. did
aif like rfTe appearance OF things
neral. According 10 my notions. we
about 10 experience one Of those sud-
nd violent atmospheric changes which
\ frequently met with In the tropics
ere was the ship with whole cloud
dding sails set on the starboard side.
IN as every other rag OF canvas that