The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-25
--THE
SLAVE SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
By HARRY COLLINGwOOD
CHAPTER VII.-Continued.

1t was decidedly easier 10 go UP than to
go down; but we accomplished our de-
scent without accident, and after a long
and wearisome tramp back through the
bush found ourselves once more on board
the gig. just az the last rays of the sun
were gliding tho treetops. The tide had
now turned, and was therefore again In
our favor: and In an hour from the time
OF our emerging upon the main stream
we reached the sloop. just as the first
faint mist-wreaths began to gather upon
the bosom OF the river.
was exceedingly anxious to be allowed
TO take part in the forthcoming expedi-
tion and had been eagerly watching. all
the way across the river, for an oppor-
tunity 10 ask the necessary permission !;
but Capt Vernon had been 50 earnestly
engaged in discussing with Smellie the
details and arrangements for the pro-
jected attack that had been unable 20 do
30. On reaching the ship, however, the
opportunity came As we went up over
the side the skipper turned and said
by the way, Mr.. Smellie hope you
and you also, Mr.. Hawkesley-will give
me the pleasure of your company to din
ner this EVENING""
Smellie duly bowed his acceptance Of
the invitation and l was about 10 follow
'I shall be most happy sir, II my ac-
ceptance OF your kind invitation will not
interfere with my taking part In tonights 3
boat expedition. l have been watching
for an opportunity TO ask your permis-
sion, and / hope you will not refuse me-"
'Oh! that's It. is it?' laughed the skip
per II thought you seemed confounded
fidgety in the boat WE'LL scarcely know
what TO say about IT.; IT will be anything
l.,t chi y11, Il a.
you are tall and strong, and-there, l sup
pose must say yes. And now run away
and shift your damaged rigging as quickly
as possible: dinner will be on the table
in 10 minutes"
l murmured my thanks and forthwith
dived below to bend fresh pair OF panta-
looms, those / had on being In so dilapi-
dated a condition-what with the tree
climbing and our battle with the thorns
and briers OF the bush-as to be In fact
scarcely decent
The conversation at the dinner-taole
that night was OF a very animated char
acter. but as II referred entirely to the
projected attack Upon the slavers l will
not inflict any portion OF 1t upon the
reader Mr. Austin, the first lieutenant.
was at first very much disappointed when
he found he was not To lead the boat ex-
pedition but he frightened up bit when
the skipper pointed out TO him that In all
probability the slavers would slip their
cables and endeavor to make their escape
from the river on finding themselves at
tackled by the boats: I'm which case the
cream OF the fun would fall TO the share
of those left on board the sloop.
Mr. Smellie-who was at all times an alb
stemious man--contented himself with
couple of glasses of wine after dinner.
and the moment that the conversation
took n general turn. rose from the table.
excusing himself upon the plea that he
had several matters TO attend Ia IN con-
nection with the expedition As he rose
he caught my eye and beckoned me to
follow him. which l did after duly maxi
ing my bow to the company.
When we reached the deck the fog was
so thick that It was as much as we could
do to see the length of the ship.
Just as 1 expected" remarked my com
panion. How are we 20 find the creek
In such weather as this. Mr.. Hawkesley7"
II am sure ! don't know. sir" replied.
looking round me In bewllderment. 81
auppose the expedition will have to be
postponed until IL clears a bit"
Not II can prevent IT," said he with
energy. Although" he added. a little
doubtfully. '1t certainly IL very thick
and with the slightest deviation from our
course we should be irretrievably lost.
whereaway do you suppose the creek 20
be7"
"oh, somewhere in that directioni said
/, pointing over the starboard quarter.
You are wrong" remarked my COM
panion. looking into the blnnacle. THE
tide is siackening. whilst the land-breere
10 freshening; so that the ship has swung