The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-04-14

are we gJing!
Hoods got on before us, you know"
he explained eagerly. Captain Ser
combe and got away safely and reach.
ed this ferry twenty minutes before
you, but the boat had gope"'
You mean Hoods boaf?" l asked.
That's it." Sercomba broke in. Il
Sackoned we might na0 Hood in the
act, but we came too late by ten min
utes. | recognized thu place from Iia
description For the matter of thar,
It's easy to find, but there was no boat.
I That meant we must carry the expedi-
ton a stage farther ere we could drop
on him. Presently Montgomery ana
happened upon this tub bit lower
down. She's no great shakes, but sheli
do to come up with him.
"And when we do?" said Sheppard.
II don't want to put too fine q port
on it, SIR" sad Sercombe, "but r
means cutting out. and if we are no.
prepared for cutting out. why, we had
best turn the nose of the boat upstream
again.
There was silence after this, but
Sheppard ami Montgomery applied
their oars, if anything. trfie more
smartly.
We're not going to turn back now,
if that's your meaning. captain" said
I'VE only want to understand where
we are and what We have to expect"
Il think, Mr.. Great0reX, that you
may expect treasure said Sercombe,
with laugh Hoods got load
aboard and he's no thought of being
followed What he's after don't quite
know. for he never got to the end Of bis
explanations, owing to that Greek af
fair. but he's going down Tie river,
that's certain. and he'll paddle none too
quick. having Il cargo. On the other
hand. he does not want daylight on
him. He'll make where he's bound fer
by night ana under the stars. Now, |
dare say. You gentlemen know thcs"
parts better than |. What point do
you put on it:'
GIVE him six hours I suggested.
"and that will fetch Us into the carly
morning Montgomery. how far do you
reckon boat would get by 3 in the
morning."
Montgomery paused on his oar and
considered.
1T ought to get near Portagree," said
he at last
And where may that beg asked
Sercombe.
In the mouth of the Severn-in the
estuary
All said Sercombc thougltfully.
Nov, | wonder what will happen
then. And | should like 10 know what
my friend Hood has got III his head
The sky was heavy with low belly
ing clouds. and scarce Il breath of ali
stirred. We raced between tie banks
as it We're through wild moor!and.
az. ,3l.c scattered voices of the dark
reached uS. y little after there was
j:.i and i shock that sent us all sprawl
lng in the bottom of the tub.
Serconbe, who WAS in the bows, put
| out his arms.
Its BOOM he said. This is g
piece OF private water
I'VE shall have to carry the boat
round" said Sheppard.
Did Hood, do you SUPPOSE: !
asked.
No: | think not" said Sercombe
III like to see the party that would
carry that cargo. Yes; you're right.
Where Hoods been We can go.
If he has been" said Sheppard.
SercOmbe made 10 answer, but pull
ed the boat along the boom.
Its wood" he said, and | make
no doubt but its Old and tired. Any
how | think Hoods dingey Went
through this. l can find no break.
though
Let us put Il pace GA the tub anu
try" | suggested.
Sercombe whistled slowly. shes
not much of tub, admit he said
obviously, but its all We've got
You are afraid of her splitting up?"
That's so, but, anyhow, let's risk it
Drive, boys. when | give the word
We backed out and pulled up the
stream, and | set her. nose full Oh
Now said Sercombe. and the oars
struck the water together. With Il
signing grooming noise the tub dipped
her snout into the water, and it hum
med about her sides.
Now" shouted Sercombe again.
leaned forward to the stroke, and in
the next second the blow came She
struck and staggered, recoiling and
shivering In every beam. But Ser
combe in the bows, who had been al
most precipitated into the stream,
cried out in triumph:
She's through; the boom's given