The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-03-16

| selfI'
The vessel was some three miles to
windward. She was schooner of the
common two masted Pacific type, but
she was COMFORTING herself in a man
ner uncommon on the Pacific or any
other ocean. Even as Barnett spoke
she heeled well over and came rush
Ing up into the wind, where she stood
with all sails shaking Slowly she
paid or again. bearing away from
them. Now she gathered full head
way, yet edged little by little to wind
ward again.
mighty queer tactics" muttered Ed
wards. Il think she's steering her
self"
Good thing. she carries weather
helm" commented Ives. who was an
expert on sailing rigs "Most Of that
type do. Otherwise she'd have jibed
her masts out. running loose that way"
Captain Parkinson appeared on deck
and turned his glasses for a full min
ute on the strange schooner.
"Aloft therev he hailed the crows
nest. do you make out any one
aboardT'
mo. sirw came the answer.
"Mr Carter, have the chief quarter
master report on deck with the signal
| flags"
Yes, SIR
Aren't we going to run up to her|
asked Mcclure, turning in surprise TO
Edwards.
"And take the risk OF getting hole
punched in our pretty paint with her
running amuck that way? Not much!"
Up came the signal quartermaster to
get his orders, and there ensued one
sided conversation in the pregnant Ian
guage of the sea.
What ship is thatf'
No answer.
"Are you in troubleT' asked the
cruiser and waited. The schooner
showed bare and silent main peak.
"Heave to-" Now Uncle Sam was
giving orders.
But the other paid no heed.
wen make that n little more en-
phatic," said Captain Parkinson. A
moment later there was the sharp
crash of a gun, and a shot went across
the bows of the sailing vessel. Has
tened by a flaw OF wind that veered
from the normal direction of the breeze
the stranger made sharply TO wind
ward. as If TO obey.
"Ah. there she comes" ran the com
ment along the cruisers quarterback.
But the schooner. after standing for
moment all Tapping, answered an
other flaw and went wide about on
the opposite tack.
"Derelict," remarked Captain Parkin-
son. "She seems TO be in good shape,
too DIR. Trendon"
Eyes, sir" The surgeon went 10 the
captain. and the others could hear his
deep. abrupt utterance in reply TO some
question too low for their cars.
Might be. sir. Beriberi. maybe.
More likely smallpox IL anything OF
that kind. But some OF 'em would be
on deck"
"Whew! A plague ship" said Billy
Edwards. "Just my luck TO he order
ed TO board her" He shivered slightly.
scared. Billy" said Ives. Edwards
had record for daring which made
this joke obvious enough TO be safe.
II wouldn't want Ia have my pecul-
lar style OF beauty spoiled 10y smallpox
marks" said the ensign. with smile
on his homely. winning face. And
I've bunch that that ship is not II
lucky find for this ship"
"Then I've a bunch that your bunch
is n wrong one" said Ives. How long
would you guess that craft To be-"
They were now within a mile Of the
schooner Edwards scrutinized her
calculatingly.
Eighty to ninety feet"
SAY $50 tons. And she's n two
masted schooner. isn't shef" continued
Ives insinuatingly.
''She certainly is"
"Well, I've a bunch that that ship
is lucky find for any ship. but partic-
ularly for this ship"
Great Caesar" cried the ensign ex-
citedly. do you think it's herr
A buzz of electric interest went
around the group. Every glass was
raised. Every eye strained toward her
stern TO read the name az she veered
into the wind again. About she came.
A sharp sigh of excited disappointment
exhaled from the spectators. The
name had been painted out.
"No CO." breathed Edwards. But
III bet another dinner
"Mr. Edwards" called the captain.
"You will take the second cutter,
board that schooner and make a full
investigation"
"Yes, SIR"
"Take your time. Don't come along.
side until she is in the wind. Leave
enough men aboard to handle her"
"Yes, sir"
The schooner steamed to within half
a mile of the aimless ira weller, and the
small boat put out. Not one of his
fellows but enyied the young ensign
as he left the ship, steered by Tim
Minis, a veteran bos'n's mate, wise I'm
all the ins and outs of sea ways. They
saw him board, neatly running the
small boat under the schooner's coun.
ter. They saw the foresheet eased Off
and the ship run up into the wind
Then the foresail dropped and the
Nvhnal 1aGhaI On ha uI, ota nj