Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-05-22

est the ewarships"-he pointed Qoff
toward Admiral Kephards feet of
grim war monsters swinging easily at
their anchors in the strong ebb-ebut
she's gone now"
She got. under way at daybreak
this morning, lsaid bystander; "yon.
der she is" He. pointed down the
harbor at a ship under full sail rapid
= ly working toward the channel.
Who has the fastest boat in the
harbor?" cried Strathgate with sud.
den resolution. - @
81 have, yer honor" answered
!, Cooper.
And although his claim was vocifer-
ously. disputed by dozen men who
crowded around. Strathgate, who rath-
er liked the appearance Of the man,
pitched upon him for his purpose. o
"a hundred pounds to you," he cried
loudly, If you put me on board the
Flying Star before she gets out of the
harbor."
'rd like to zee the color Of yer
money, yer honor, begin yer par.
don" said Cooper.
o Strathgate pulled out q full purse
and passed him q ten-pound note. v
'~:"This for earnest money" he said.
Nov hasteni"
y "Tll want hand to help me with
the Sails" said Cooper, full Of excite
ment. ".' -o
/ Five pounds to the man that goes,
If We win. I'm the earl Of Srath,
gate" e.. g. / o.
"Yes, your lordship."
Take me, Cooper"
l. "Tll 'go!" cried one and another.
Cooper quickly selected his man,
choosing one Of the lightest and most
agile Of the applicants.
Into the boat with your" cried
Strathgate as soon as the matter was
settled.
Now that he had made up his mind
he was eager to be of. He did not
know where Ellen was. He had no
assurance that she was on that ship
but at any rate 1t was a possible clew,
and anything was better than passing
the day in idleness at Portsmouth
Perhaps Ellen had come in in some
way during the night Stop! 1t sud
denly flashed into his mind that she
might have come BY sea. There would
have been plenty Of time, If she had
gotten a boat, anywhere near the
place where the carriage was wrecked
This made him the more impatient
and anxious to get away.
Fired by the splendid reward fol
success, Cooper and his man worked
double tides and soon had the sails
hoisted and the boat ready for de
y parture.
twill yer honor come now"
Immediately" cried Strathgate.
I'VE haven't moment to lose, you
lordship," returned Cooper. "ThCs
Yankees are swift footers and it'll b
nip and tuck II we overhaul her."
Strathgate sprang into the boat an
Cooper showed OF. The boom swun
out to leeward and the sail of tn
cutter filled. She was in the lee Q
the wharf, however, and was movin
very slowly when a horseman cam
galloping down to the strand at fuI
speed. His sorry steed was con
pletely blown. The rider dropped tn
q reins on the horses neck, sprang
the ground and ran out on the whar
attracted thereto by the crowd of pee
pie watching the departure Of Strait
gate. AS he ran, he shouted:
Can any of you tell me anythin
about the New Eagle?"
"Ay, master" answered one of tn
boatmen, "she sailed yesterday morr
ing for Philadelphia"
Yesterday morning?"
"Ay, yer honor"
What ship is that" continued Cal
rtngton, peering straight down the hal
Dor. "She locks like an American"
He was viewing her with the eye O
sailorly experience.
"'Tis an American" answered ar
other, that be the Yankee clipper
Flying Star"
When did size sail?"
This morning at daybreak."
where is
At that moment Carrington's ey
comprehended the little cutter glit
ing along the wharf. He recognize
Strathgate standing up in the stcr
sheets with his arms akimbo, an In
sulting smile upon his face. With
muttered oath Darlington in tw
bounds reached the side of the whari
The boat was increasing its speed a
every moment.
"Strathgate!" Numbered Darlington
where is my" He stopped. ''wher
are the fugitives?"