Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-07-31

4 II ~ CASA0lkuCo Soptuil
ESST Hadow.
SS&SI "It's horrible to call hin
deserter." said Francis.
"Don't let's do it." said the captain.
I'VE have to say something. sir" re-
piled the first lieutenant helplessly.
"One can always lie. suppose" said
Hadow.
There's nothing I wouldn't do my
self for Jack Garrard." said Mr.. Fran
els.
"Why not say he was kidnapped here
by the hill tribe?" said Hadow. eve
aren't certain sure he wasn't, and nc
one can deny but what he might have
been"
"But the admiral would be bound to
inquire into It," said Mr.. Francis
Sooner or later he'd send ship"
"Trust Jack to do his own lying
when she gets here" said HadOw
Besides, he'll be sick of the whole
thing and only too glad to step aboard. VI
"But won't we be asked why we
didn't rescue him?" asked Francis.
mo. no; have 1t" cried the captain.
"It's certainly case for stretching a
point, sir" said Mr.. Francis.
Enter In the log" said the captain,
speaking very slowly and thoughtfully,
that passed Midshipman John de
vigne Garrard. failing to report him
self at the expiration Of his leave. was
afterward discovered to have been kid
naped by the hill tribes Of Borabora
island. On my threatening to land a
party to recover him I was dissuadeti
by King George. who cleared himself
of any personal responsibility in the
matter and who promised. II only l
would give him time. to recover the
man without bloOdshed or any cost to
his majesty's government. The king
urged that the use Of force would i'm
peril the officers life. which otherwise
he had every confidence would be
spared"
every good. sir" said Mr.. Francis.
you'll give old George flaming
character" added Hadow.
Every good. sir" said Mr.. Francis.
"Pile 1t OH about his reverence for the
queen and the way he gave beef to the
ship" said Hadow.
"And what thon. sir?" inquired Mr..
Francis.
"Well, you know" said Hadow. my
orders here leave me pretty wide
latitude. You can't tie down survey
ing ship in wild waters the way you
can simple patrol. BY George, sir
I'll lay the ship back here in nine
months and retake Master Johnny Gar
rard."
"You may count. Captain Hadow. on
our most loyal and hearty support"
said Mr. Francis.
"Thank you," said the captain, land
you will pass the word along that the
subject is not one to be discussed"
"Quite so, sir" said the first lieuten-
ant.
"Not wordw exclaimed the captain
Though you might coach the king n
bit about the hill tribes; but, Of course
not a whisper that we're ever coming
back"
mo. sir" said Mr.. Francis.
"This must 60 no farther than you
and me-" said Hadow.
ut shall not. sir" returned the first
lieutenant.
"We shall sail tonight at the turn Of
the tide" said the captain.
"Very good. sir" said Mr.. Francis.
1t was not nine months-lt was If
teen and some days to spare-before
the Dauntlcss again raised the peak OF
Borubora and backed her mainyard of
the settlement.
1t was morning when Hadow raised
the island. fleecy speck of cloud
against the sky line. and he shortened
sail at once and fingered out the day.
80 as to bring him up to 1t by dark.
After supper every light on board was
doused and the great hull. gliding
through the glass smooth water, merg-
ed her steep sides and towering yards
and canvas into the universal shadow.
BY 10 the ship was hove to close
ashore. and the lights of the little set
tlement glimmered through the palms.
The warm night. laden with exotic
fragrance aud strangely exciting In
the intensity OF its stiffness and beau
ty, hid beneath its far reaching pail
the various actors Of all extraordinary
drama. With pistols buckled to their
hips. Brady. Winterslea. HOtham and
Stanbury- j. JoueS. four officers OF the
ship. together with Hatch, finty
fuced old seaman who could be trust.
ct. all slipped down the ladder into the
captains gig and pulled with muftied
oars for the break in the reef. Pick
Ing their way through the pass with
the surf on either hand roaring In their
ears, they slowly penetrated the lagoon
and headed for the kings house. The
shelving beach brought them to stop.
and, all jumping out to tighten the
boat. they drew her over the shingle
and made her painter fast to pam
danus tree. Then. acting In accord
ance with a preconcerted plan. Win
terslea was sent forward to track down
their prey. while the rest huddled to-
gether to await his return.
Ten minutes. twenty minutes. passed
IN palpitating suspense. A girl drew by
wreathed In flowers. She looked out
to sea. then up at the stars and shrank
again into the shadow. From the
neighboring houses there came the
sound Of mellow voices and of laugh
ter. A pig rooted and rustled among
heap of cocOanut shells. Half an
hour passed. and from far across the
water. as faint and silvery as some el'
Hn signal. the ship sent her message
| of the time--six bells.
Painting uld crouching, Winterslea
,roped his way among them.
Come" he said.
They followed him In silence. unloos-
Ing their holsters and grlmly ready. A
pair of handouts clinked In Hatch's
jumper. They inhaled the deep breath
of tried and resolute men, Injured to
danger and accustomed to give and re-
ceive an unflinching loyalty.
"Therev' said Winterslea.
The path opened out on little clear
0laadA,u