Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-05-31

lance, and soon after small gray
spot on the water took on the form
and detail of steam launch. COM
ing toward them from seward
Boat ahoy!" called Breen softly
az the Hnnch drew near. The en-
CINE stopped
Hello" answered n volce-which
Dick recognized us that you, Mr.
Breen?"
Yes. What's up?"
"tll come alongside"
The launch came quietly up to tho
quarter, and George Arthur stepped
aboard.
I'm caught" he said to Breen as
they shook hands. Fact Is, I'm sent
In TO find out what they're doing
and that's oil. I'm supposed to do
some signalling, and hang 1t, I
haven't had time to learn the code
and as for the nightly change, why,
| left 1t aboard. Can you give It to
me-"
II can do better-give you my
signalman. Take him along and take
his advice"
"Thanks-bv George, yes; I'm
thousand times obliged I've got to
go in. and II there's anything up
must fash It out to them. Now feel
better
GO along. Halpin." said Breen.
tersely.
"Halpin?" queried the young ca
Diet. "Well-say. now, Mr. Breen.
isn't this a little he's a pet OF
yours, | know. but"
You have applied to me for
signalman, and I give you best |
have, Interrupted Breen. sternly.
You can suit yourself, sir"
"Oh, we'll, all right-all right,
SIR" answered the other. Send
him aboard when you're ready. sir"
He strobe toward the rail and
stepped aboard the launch. Go
along, Dick" said Breen, softly. III
he gets into trouble, get him on: Of
II. I'll see To the credit"
Thank you. Bully for you" was
Dicks unseamanly answer to his off,
Ger. Then he jumped into the launch.
NO bOCAC, OrueTSu Tue CdQel,
and the engine started. Il am told"
he said souriv to Dick. Ito take your
advice. II need it, I'll call on you"
Very good, SIR returned Dick
quietly, as he seated himself beside
him
The little craft shot ahead into
the blackness beneath aud without
that brilliant shaft from the search
light The young officer had tina
wheel There were two other men
in the cockpit, silently crouch!ng
with elbows on their knees, and aft
In the other cockpit machinist In
charge OF the engine.
Nothing more was said the launch
traversed the short two miles to the
! picket line unseen and unhailed,
! Dick bordering on the strange hs-
tired which this pampered young
gentleman had felt for him since the
trouble in school This was their
FIRST personal interview since thai:
exciting chase over red desks. but
George Arthur had been on the New
Yorks quarterback when he had
been called aft to meet the officers,
and had shown his attitude toward
MIN In the derisive smile that had
come to his face, and In the superior
stare with which he had regarded
him every time that chance hal
thrown Dick into his path.
We must be close IN, sir" sus-
gested the machinist. softly. Shall
to- - ,sr-..
little?"
"Tes-yes." answered Arthur,
quickly. Slow down-stop Alto
gether can't see thing. Can any
one see?"
"Morro's broad on the starboard
bow. Sir" said Dick, whose eyes
were good.
And here's land right ahead
high land" said the engineer.
Right see. Must be Socapa.
Where the deuce were those lights,
anyhow? What am to find out in
here? Nothing going on that see y"
There was log boom across tho
channel little farther IN. sir" said
one OF the men. 1T 1t is still there,
1t proves that no torpedo boats are
out tonight"
But If we get that far" added
Dick, I'VE might not get back"
II told you that II l wanted your
advice I'd call on you" said the ca
Diet. angrily Remember that.
Dick bit his lip. but blamed only
himself.
Go ahead with the machine, or
dered the young gentleman. Wen
see about that boom, anyway
Dick grinned bitterly.
The boat went ahead at half
speed. In Ave minutes one OF the
men in the cockpit. who had been
looking astern, said Light over the
starboard, sir-well abaft the
beam" They looked but saw moth
ing: yet the man repeated that he
had seen It. close down to the water,
Then a fash as OF mild lightning III
up the bluff to starbosrd. a cracking
report followed. and water splashed
in their faces. Then followed shouts
In Spanish, and other shots, while
small searchlight from; the battle
ments sought them out revealing 10
them as it wandered clear expause
of channel ahead. string or logs
partly slowed under the batteries
and two armed launches putting OUT
nd n