Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-05-10

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1--WE have got to find out what
Hoods after" l said. Hell be in
P%ortagrce shortly. We must watch
him."
That's the only course agreed Ser
combe. I'VE can do nothing till we
know that. And sec hero, this is no
business for a party. but for a picket.
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 l perceived Scrcombe APP
preaching. He walked quickly and as
one under excitement.
"Well:" We asked in Il breath.
1--WE done it," he said. though |
take back my words about terra tirma.
Hoods going to sea-
Sheppard whiStlcd.
~ got 4 good post behind Il cottage
and spied on him. He's transferred his
luggage to a yacht. BY thunder, but
he must have made his preparations
We'll. couldn't see much of the crew,
but that l could see. He's got the load
aboard by this time"
"Then were done!." I cried.
mo. not q bit said Scrcombe cheer
fully. I've taken French leave with
a bit Of q boat down yonder. Daren't
stop to wake 'em up for permission,
you know, Mr.. Greatorex. 'Twould
take too long and delay us and make
1t public. We can pay coming back"
We did not stop to discuss the eth
les Of the question, but the feeling shat
the time was past for argument and
that hencefo1ward we We're committed
by our original decision to a certain
course Of action showed aside sophis-
tries and ran down to the beach. Here
Sercombe had secured a numbering and
ugly boat, furnished with dipping Tugs.
ut doesn't look very much" he whis-
pered. but it's the only craft sufficient
ly far from them to keep u move
ments quiet"
Sheppard stared down at it dubious
ly. Its not a rig l like" he said.
But here Montgomery pointed with
his finger. Selling me by the arm.
"There they 60" he said.
Then here we 60" returned Ser
combe. leaping into the boat.
Sure enough, in the ~lesSening dark
ness l could catch sight of q blacker
spot moving slowly outward. We ran
UP the Tugs under Sheppard's direction.
and the boat stood out.
I'VE shall have more wind" whis-
pered Sheppard to me. Il don't think
we see the END of this yet"
In sure we don't" l returned mood
lily. What are we going to do now?
We have played the fool and must 90
on playing the fool, l suppose"
I spoke somewhat bitterly, for at
that moment an interval Of sanity
reigned in my mind, and l seemed to
see in a flash the ]portentous conse-
| quences of this adventure.
ANYHOW we must go on said Shep-
pard briefly and put up his tiller to
fetch the nose Of the boat about.
Even as we ceased speaking the wind
came down in q roaring from the wide
spaces of the channel and blew out our
Jugs till they rang like drumheads. A
great noise filed the seas, and the
blocks We're straining and shrieking
Shnrynr1 VOC n c1ytl1o1 how'd owl H.
kept his head cool. He came up to the
wind as near as the abominable Tugs
would let him. There was no sign of
the other boat.
"She1l beat down the estuary" said
Sercombe, land make for some point
bly,"
mo. no; he's bound for Newport
said Sheppard. "Ie can get away
FROM Newport like any honest skipper.
Anyway, We'll try it at that"
The gale tore at the canvas as though
it would strip it in ribbons. We had
a great way on, the boat Scuddinc
through the rough water with her port
gunwales ripping under the foam. We
got out ONE distance. and then nc
said:
81 must fetch her round. Well have
to try a long board in this wind"
We said nothing, but I jumped to the
lug. Down dropped the sail. a heavy
lump Of damp canvas, and Montgom
cry and l hauled till we dragged il
into position.
Lord, what a Deast.' said Sl,ep
pard. He put owe the tiller, and rounC
she swung. the hugs cracking and the
blocks jumping. She lurchci us th0ugl
she would g over, and then. the whit,
water streaming over her bows, sb;
started off like q hare upon her new
course.
"By thunder" said Scrcombe, "sh,
goes we'll
"Anythiug would go in this weather,
returned Sheppard.
ScrcOmDc laughed. Its a 200,
night for us he observed.
Montgomery at this juncture raise,
a cry which took u eyes to him. I'll,
light was rising owe the water, and
soft darkness ruled.