Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-02-06
CHAUTER XXI (Continued.(

estuary, running at the first to make up for lost time. But Hood had the tide and the wind against him, and he made way slowly, so that we soon came near enough to the boat for our purposes. The night was so thick that we could discern very little, but no one doubted that we were within striking distance of our enemy. So we kept along the shore until the lights of Portagree came into sight.
 It was by now somewhere near 2 i'll the morning, and the village, which was collection of poor cottages on that barren and exposed shore, was wrapped in sleep. Only lamp or two shone from the windows of the houses and some lights of the little craft riding in the road. Waste land, scattered with furze and low growing bushes, lay at the back of the village. and here we halted to decide upon our action.
 eve have got to find out what Hoods after," l said. Hell be in Portagree shortly. We must watch him.
 That's the only course" agreed Ser combe. ''We can do nothing till we know that. And see here, this is no business for party, but for picket. I'll take that job myself. Give me half an hour, and I'll engage to fix the business"
 To that we agreed, and the captain departed, moving cautiously toward the village, while we three threw our selves upon the ground in our damp clothes and waited with what patience we might summon.
 1t must have been fully half an hour later when I perceived Sercombe ap- preaching. He walked quickly and as one under excitement
 "WellY' we asked in breath.
 ''I've done it." he said. though I take back my words about terra firma. , Hoods going to sea-
 Sheppard whistled.
 'I got good post behind a cottage and spied on him. He's transferred his luggage to yacht. By thunder, but he must have made his preparations well. l couldn't see much of the crew, but that could see. He's got the load aboard by this time"
 "Then we're donc.' I cried
 ''No, not bit said Sercombe cheer fully Five taken French leave with bit of q boat down yondcr. Daren't stop to wake 'em up for permission, you know, Mr. GreatoreX. 'Twoull take too long and delay us and make it public We can pay coming back"
 We did not stop to discuss the eth ics of the question. but the feeling that the time was past for argument and that henceforward we were committed by our original decision to a certain course of action I showed aside sophis tries and ran down to the beach Here SercOmbe had secured a numbering and ugly boat furnished with dipping Jugs
 Tt doesn't look very much," he whis pered, but it's the only craft sufficient ly far from them to keep our move ments quiet"
 Sheppard stared down at it dubious ly. It's not a rig like" he said
 But here Montgomery pointed With his finger seizing me by the arm .There they go. he said.
 "Then here We go," returned Ser combe, leaping into the boat.
 Sure enough i'll the lesSening dark ness l could catch sight of a blacker spot moving slowly outward. We ran up the Jugs under Sheppard's direction, and the boat stood out.
 We shall have more wind whi;- pered Sheppard to me T don't think we see the end of this vet
 I'm sure we don't" returned mooa- fly What are Ne 9o.u@ to Go EoW5 We have played tho fool and mH~t eo on playing tle feol. 1 ~5}ap7se.'
 spoke somewhat bitterly, for n that moment an interval of sanity reigned ill }.= ae.nd and I seemed b see in 8 ha~h tine pertenous #eo4ze queDces of tAis adYeHeefe,
 ".AnyhoW We must 42 a'.." satl Shef pard briefly anl- put ID lis lillcr ta fetch the nose oiz zfhe haa ahoat.
 Even as We ceased saea4siA@ f5p wind came down iii | l.o4rG.@ teom 3Ae wide spaces of the channel and blew ouj oQr Jugs till theE rang like d@amlead~ i great noise flied the sens. asl tha blocks were straiujH& and Shr.eking N IhdIQ NNS tt >Ail4GAl lLt4ltl eAii'l li1. kept his head cool. He came up to the wind as near as the abominabIe Jugs would let him. There was no sign of the other boat
 "She1l beat down the estuary" said Sercombe. and make for some point upon the Somersetshire coast, pe3ba- bly,"
 .sNo. no; hes 9ound fer Newport v said Sheppard "Ile can get away from Newport Ike any honest skipper. Anyway. we'll IF it ;7t tlt4t.
 The gale tore at tAe canvas as trough it would strip t ill ribhan@ No haH great way on, the bo;t seU,diH ; through the rough water with her poet gunwales rit.lt@ under tee fosse. #'e got out some distance. and then he said
 T must fetch her round. Well have to try q lor@ hoard in this wind