The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-27
THE NEWS DEMOCRATS DAILY STORY
To be published in daily instalments on this page
SLAVE SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
By HARRY COLLNGwOOD
CHAPTER XVI.

ner? Was II merely a blind, n temporary
resort TO the usual courtesies adopted for
the purpose of giving color 10 their as
sumed character OF French man-o war.
or was II diabolical scheme 10 get US
all into their power and so deprive a for
mtdable antagonist OF its head, so 10
speak, and thus cripple It?
All these surmises and many others
equally wild flashed through my bewil-
dered brain as l stood there on the cross
trees watching the stealthy. phantomlike
movement OF the briggs upper spars.
The conclusion 10 which / finally came
was that Capt. Vernon ought TO be in
formed forthwith OF what was going on.
i accordingly descended 10 the deck and
once more sought out the third lieuten-
ant
Mr.. Armitage," said /, In a low, eau
tious tone OF voice. ''the brig Is adrift.
and driving down past us with the tide
in the direction OF the river"
The brig adrift!" he repeated, incredu-
lously. Nonsense. Mr.. Hawkesley, you
must be dreamingl'
Indeed ! am not, sir. l assure you."
replied earnestly. II have this moment
come from aloft and I saw her top-gal-
liant masts most distinctly over the top
OF the mist. She is away over in that d.
rection. and scarcely cables length dis
tant from u.s."
at last by my earnest manner to some
thing like interest. II can hear no sound
OF her"
mo sir" / replied land that, in con-
Junction with the sounds which undoubt
edly heard just now makes me thing that
something must be wrong on board her.
Do you not thing the matter ought 10
be reported 10 Capt Vermont"
Most certainly II ought" he agreed.
rs II possible that the crew have taken
the ship from their officers think your"
II scarcely know what TO think" /
replied. Let us speak TO the captain
at once. and hear what he has to say
about It,"
Thereupon the third lieutenant directed
Keene, one OF the midshipmen. to take
temporary charge OF the deck; and we
at once dived below
We'll, Mr.. Armitage, what is it?" asked
capt vernon. as We presented ourselves
In the cabin we discovered him and
Mr.. smellie chatting together over their
wine and cigars.
II must apologize for intruding upon
you. sir said Armitage; ''but Hawkes.
ley here has come TO me with a very ex-
traordinary story which think you had
better hear from his own lps."
"Oh, well, what is 1t. Mr.. - Why.
Hawkesley, where In the world have you
been, and what doing, man? You are pos
Yes. sir" replied. glancing AT N.Y.
self and discovering for the first time by
the brilliant light OF the cabin lamp the
woful ruin wrought upon my Uniform
Il really beg your pardon, sir, for present
ing myself In this plight, but the urgent
nature OF my business must be my ex-
cuse. And forthwith plunged In medias
res and told what had heard and seen.
The noise OF n scuffle and the brig
adrift!" exclaimed the skipper. ''The crew
surely cannot have risen Upon their offl-
GERS and taken the shipi' the same idea
promptly presenting itself TO him as had
occurred to the third lieutenant.
NO, sir." said I. "1 do not believe that
II is NJ all; the commotion was not great
enough or prolonged enough for that; all
the officers would not be likely 10 be
taken by surprise, but one man might
be-"
"one man. What do you mean? 7
don't understand you" raped out the
skipper
We'll, then. sir. 10 speak the whole OF
my mind plainly, I am greatly afraid
mat Mr.. Austin has r1et with foul play
on board that brig. and that she is not a
French man-o'-war ct all. as she pro-
fosscs 20 be-" exclaimed
sHw smellie start; and he was about
TO speak when:
"Mr Austin! Foul playl Not a French
man -warl" gasped the skipper. why.
good heavens! the boy Is madl"
If am. sir. ] can only say that have
been so FOR the last four months" I re-
torted For II Is fully as long as that.
or longer, that have had my su.picions
about that brig and her crew"
WHAT" exclaimed Smellie. Have
you. too. suspected the brig?"
81 have, indeed, SIR" replied.
Take chair. Hawkesley." inter-
rupted tho skipper: pour yourself out
glass OF wine. and let US have your story
In the fewest possible words. Mr.. Armi-
tage. do me the favor 20 ascertain the
briggs present whereabouts and let me
know. Now, Hawkesley. we are ready to
listen 10 you"
(To be continued tomorrow)