The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-23
SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
By HARRY COLLINGwOOD
CHAPTER VII.-Continued.

below me forked. as I have already said,
and at the point OF divergence of the two
branches the water way broadened out
until Il became quite a mile wide. form
Ing as snug a little harbor as one need
wish TO see. And In this harbor perfect
~ concealed from all prying eyes which
might happen 10 pass up or down the
river, lay a brig, a brfgantine. and a
schooner, three as rakish-looking craft
as could well be met with. Their appear
ance alone was almost sufficient to con-
denim them; but hugh barracoon stand
ing in cleared space close at hand, and
"a crowd Of blacks huddled together on the
adjacent bank, apparently in course of
shipment on board one or other or the
craft in sight. put their character quite
beyond question.
A hail from below reminded me that
there were others who would feel On In
terest in my discovery.
"Well. Mr. Hawkesley, is there any
thing in sight from your perch aloft there
worth looking st2" came floating up TO
me in the sklpper's voice.
Yes, sir, indeed there Is. There are
three craft in the creek away yonder, In
the very act OF shipping negroes at this
moment" replied.
The deuce there areP' calculated the
skipper. which do you think will be the
easier plan Of the two: TO climb the tree,
or to make our way through the bush to
the spot?"
you will find IT much easier to climb
the tree, ] think, SIR. You can be along
side me in hve minutes, whilst IL will
take US nearly two hours, / should say, TO
make our way 10 them through the
BUSH" l replied.
Very well; hold on where you are then.
We will tackle the tree" returned the
skipper.
And, looking down, l saw him and the
second lieutenant forthwith whip out their
knives and begin hacking away at a
creeper, wherewith 10 make grummets TO
assist them In their attempt at tree
climbing.
In a few minutes the twain were along
side me- and-in happy torgetfulness OF
ne ruin wrought upon their unmention-
eagerly noting through their telescopes
the operations in progress on board the
slavers
They seem very busy there" observed
the skipper with his eye still peering
through the tube OF his telescope. "You
may depend on t. Mr.. Smellie. the ras-
Gals have got wind of our presence In
the river, and intend trying to slip out
past us tonight as soon as the fog settles
down. I'll be bound they know every inch
OF the river. ard could find their way out
mo doubt Of II, sir" answered the sec
ond lufr. But IL is not hIgh-water until
o'clock tomorrow morning. so that !
suspect they will not endeavor TO make a
move until about an hour after midnight.
That will enable them TO go out on the
top Of the food. and with strong LAND
breeze In their favor
80 much the better" returned Capt.
Vernon, with sparkling eyes. but we
will take care to have the boats I'm the
creek In good time. You never know
where 10 have these fellows; they are as
cunning as foxes. Please note their posi-
ton as accurately as you can, Mr.. Smell
lie, for intend you to lead the attack to-
night"
| llghtedly; and planting himself comfort
ably astride branch, he drew out a
| pencil and paper, and proceeded to make
a very careful sketch-chart OF the river
mouth. Banana Creek. and the creek in
which the slavers were lying noting the
bearings carefully with the aid of poch-
| ct compass.
There. SIR" said he. when he had fin-
| ished, showing the sketch 10 the skipper
that will enable me to find them. think
| let the night be as dark or as thick as II
may. How do you think 1t looks for ac-
"Capitalr" answered Capt. Vernon ap-
provingly: you really have a splendid
| eye for proportion and distance. Mr..
| Smellie. That little chart might almost
have been drawn 10 a scale, so correct
does Il look. How In the world do you
| manage it2"
ut is all custom" was the reply. 81
make II an invariable rule 20 devote time
/ and care enough TO such sketches as this
| 10 ensure their being as nearly accurate
as possible. / have devised a few rules
upon which always work; and the re.
\ suit is generally very near approxima-
Il tion 20 absolute accuracy. But the sun II
getting low; had we not better be moving
| sir9'
by all means. n you are sure you have
| all the Information you need" was the
! reply. "T would not miss my way in thai
| confoundcd Jungle tonight for anything
10 would completely upset all our ar
| rangenents."
ITO say nothing OF the possibility OF our
affording a meal 20 some Of the hungry
! carnivora which probably lurlx I'm tho
| depths of the said Jungle" thought l. But
/ I held my peace. and dutifully assisted
my superior officers 10 effect their de-
(ro be continued on Monday,