The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-18

careful calculation, based upon our
knowledge OF the Black Venus extraor-
iinary sailing powers. showed that we
night look for her about half-past nine
o'clock; and half an hour previous to that
We began to make our preparations for
recording TO her suitable reception. The
| |lecks were cleared for action, the maga-
Inc was opened, arms and ammunition
syere served out TO the crew, VINO were
hen sent to quarters; the guns were
paded each with a round shot and
,harge Of grape on the top OF II, and all
lanvas was loosed and made ready for
,etting at a moments notice. Then all the
harpest eyes available tn the ship were
ct upon the watch for our slippery foe,
knd we were ready.
| The night mists 10 which frequent ref
I,rence has been made are, II ought TO be
Explained, confined 20 the river Itself; and
hough on such occasions as that OF
ghch we are now treating they are car
!, ,ed out 20 seaward by the land-breeze
ew miles beyond the rivers mouth. they
| bon get dissipated; so that whilst in the
liver Itself the fog may be so thick as TO
bnder IL impossible 10 see further than
lalf the ships length ahead. II will be
ertectly clear at distance OF seven or
ght miles outside II was just upon the
utter or seaward skirts OF the fog-bank
hat we had taken up our station, and
ere lowering 10 and fro.
The Virginia had just gone round. and
as stretching to the southwark upon the
ort tack, when, from my station on the
eel OF the bowsprit, thought | detect
4 a sudden thickening of the haze at
bot about three points on the weather
bw. Straining my eyes TO their utmost,
gazed intently into the darkness: the
opearance became more pronounced.
ore defined every second, and as /
atched It, assumed the form OF an ir-
,gularly- shaped truncated pyramid
'san ho broad on the weather-bow! l
Reclaimed. joyously; and in A moment,
Alt.a dozen voices exultingly reiterated
lie cry OF, Sail hov'
Yes. there could be no mistake about II;
n whilst the words were still upon our
bs. the apparition grew more substan-
al assumed the misty outline or ship
full sail. and finally shot out from
,oonr the fog-wreath clear and well de-
Ned brig running before the wind un-
Or studding sails.
IN FASTENED aft to where Smellie stood
asping the main top-mast backstay.
"A was greeted by him with the char
.teristic remark OF:
t,What n fellow he must be. and what
,rve he must have! Fancy a man run
hg out OF that river and through the
u under studding sails" Then. turning
the helmsman, he said:
Now we have him fairly, / think. Up
,hh your helm, my man, and steer for
n iIb-boom end Mr.. Costigan'-to the
rst lieutenant-"make sail, " you
iase"
hOi oi. sorr." answered that worthy In
rich Hibernian brogue. Let go and
X,hrhaul the fore and main clew-snrnets;
Ybrd the fore and main tack and art
the sheets
Fore and main topmaststay-sail ana
halliards. hoist away. Sheet nome
I'M set the fore and main top-gallant
Is. and be smart about H. Aisy now
IRE, wild that main tack; don't ye see,
ipeens. that the ship is bearin up"
n the BRACES. fore and aft; ease up TO
tWard and round I'm TO windward as the
h pays off. Wei Of all, belay, and coll
Misther Hawkeslay, am l to hav"
pleasure OF shown ye the way on
N rd the hooker yonder?'
<frhanks, no. think not. Costigan.' j
wered with laugh. II propose to
s-va4t4ahle-a+a TO the after divl
n Of the boarders you are a host IN
rself. you know, and can manage
IL well without me. But I shall keep
jookout for you in the waist OF the
Esry well. It's there I'll mate ye.
Ing gintleman, or my names not Denis
>tean."
hd away hurried the impetuous Irish.