Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-08-15

A cry from above interrupted him.
Jack, having at first glance spied the
vessel whose description he had shout
ed to Drummond, had now turned his
eyes eastward and stood staring
aghast toward the sunrise.
"What's the matter?" asked Alan.
Matter" echoed Jack. "They must
be sending the whole Russian navy
here In detachments to capture our I'M
worthy selves. There's a second boat
coming from the east, nearer by two
miles than the yacht. If I hadn't been
all taken up with the other from the
moment l climbed here, I'd have seen
her before"
"1s she a yacht too?"
mo; looks like a passenger tramp.
Dirty and"-
Merchantmen maybe"
mo; she's got guns on her.
Merchantmen fitted out for priva-
teersman probably. That's the sort Of
craft Russia would be likeliest to send
to a secret prison like this. What flag
does
"No flag at %all-neither Of them.
They're both making for the rock full
steam and from opposite sides. Mel
Their can see the other, 1 suppose. p
"From opposite sides? That doesn't
look like a joint expedition. One of
those ships isn't Russian. But which?'
Jack had clambered down and stood
by Alan's side.
"We must make ready for defense in
either case," he said. "1n a few min
utes We'll be able to see them both
from the platform below"
zone of those boats means to blow
US out of existence if she can," unused
Jack. "The other cannot know Of our
existence. And yet, if she doesn't,
what is she doing here headed for the
rock?"
With that Jack scrambled, slid and
jumped down. Drummond was very
quiet and serious. Repeating rifles
stood in a row on the opposite wall,
easy to get at, but as far off as might
be from the effects Of a possible shell.
The two young men now mounted the
stone bench by the door, which allowed
them to look over the ledge at the
eastern sea. Presently the craft ap-
peared round the end of the island,
pure white, floating like a swan on
the water and making great Roadway.
"By Jove," said Jack, "she's a fine
one! Looks like the cars yacht, but
no Russian vessel l know of can make
that speed"
"She's got the earmarks Of Thorny-
croft build about her." commented
Drummond. "By Jove, Jack, what
luck if she should prove to be English!
No flag flying, though"
"She's heading for u.s." said Jack,
"and apparently she knows which side
the cannon is on. If she's Russian,
they've taken it for granted we've
captured the whole place and are in
command of the guns. There, she's
turning"
"Jove, I wish I'd a pair of good
glasses" said Drummond. They're
lowering a boat"
Jack showed more highland excite
ment than Russian stolidity as he
watched the oncoming Of a small boat,
beautifully riding the waves and mas
terfully rowed by sailors who under
stood the art. Drummond stood i'm
perturbable as a statue.
"The sweep Of those oars is Eng
fish, Jack, my boy"
AS the boat came nearer and nearer
Jack became more and more agitated.
81 say, Alan. focus your eyes ON that
man at the rudder. think my sights
failing me. Look closely. Did you
ever see him beforeY"
sure"
"Why. he looks to me like my jovial
and venerable father-in-law, Captain
Kempt. of Bar Harbor. Perfectly alb
surd, of course. 1t can't be-"
"He does resemble the captain, but
I only saw him once or twice."
"Hooray. Captain Kempt! How are
your shouted Jack across the waters.
The captain raised his right hand
and waved it. but made no attempt to
cover the distance with his voice. Jack
ran pellmell down the steps, and Drum
mond followed in more ieisurely fash.
ion. The boat swung around to the
landing, and Captain Kempt cried cor
daily:
"Hello, prince. How are you? And
that's Lieutenant Drummond. isn't it?
Last time l had the pleasure of seeing
you, Drummond. was that night of the
ball."
eyes," said Drummond. "I was very
glad to see you then, but a hundred
times happier to see you today"
:" was just cruising around these
waters in my yacht. and thought I'd
take a look at this rock you tried to
obliterate. don't see any perceptible
damage done, but what can you ex.
pect from British craftsmanship"
II struck the rock on the other side,
captain. 1 think your remark is I'm.
kind, especially as I've just been prais-
Ing the workmanship of your men,"
"Now, are you boys tired Of this sum-
mer resort" asked Captain Kempt.
sdIs voNr ha opa 90 chooLod ond oro