The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1908-10-09

faint hail that came down the wind
and through the open air port into the
cabin.
A voice said gruffly:
This is his majestys ship-of-the.
line Britannia. Heave to and I'll send
boat aboard"
1.-THE Britannica" exclaimed Ellen
under her breath, Admiral Kephards
flagship"
What could it mean? She rose to
her feet and stepped to the port hole
1t was pitch dark outside. She could
see nothing. The moon had not yet
risen Over her head Capt Tuggles
was replying.
What do you want with me?" he
cried, roughly.
You'll find out" answered a voice
from the darkness, when we send
boat aboard"
A moment after Ellen caught a
glimpse Of the running light Of a
large ship slowly closing upon the
Flying Star. Other lights cleaned
from port holes here and there, bring
ing the huge liner in fair view.
This is the high seas answered
Capt. Tuggles, with great spirit. I'm
peaceful merchantmen from the
United States, and I'm damned if I'll
heave to for anybody"
Brave Capt. Tuggles! Ellen thrilled
in her soul, but she knew that the
game was up. No merchantmen could
brave a war vessel, and one flying an
admirafs flag at that with impunity.
The next instant a gun flashed from
the side of the ship-of-the-line and
deep boom rolled across the black
water.
IF you don't heave to-" cried the
voice from the other ship, ''the next
shot'll go into you"
To hesitate longer was madness. Ell.
len could hear Capt Tuggles dash his
trumpet to the deck and the next min
ute his hoarse voice bidding the watch
swing the main yard. The ship slowly
shot up into the wind and presently
lay still. On the ship-of-theline Ellen
could hear the shrill whistling of pipes
and hoarse voices calling away the
crew of the cutter. Unless she acted
Immediately she was lost. The ship
of-the-line could have overhauled the
merchantmen only for her.
She turned from the portfolio to find
Deborah, who had been awakened by
the cannon shot, standing half dazed
at her side.
"Debbie," she cried, I've changed
my mind"
What do you mean?" asked
Deborah.
I'm going back to Portsmouth"
We'll, I'm glad you've come to your
senses at last"
YES" said Lady Ellen, there's a
ship out there which has just ordered
Capt. Tuggles to heave to, to stop his
ship, that is. We must escape her"
Whose ship is it?"
81 don't know 1t may be French.
man, or a pirate, or At any rate, our
only chance is to get away while they
are busy. They'll never notice us"
How will you do it?" asked Debo-
rah. ASK Capt Tuggles to set you
ashore?"
Never said Ellen.
Selling Debbie by the hand, she left |
the room, locking the door behind her |
and slipping the key in her ,Acket |
Then she stepped into the cabin. For |
it was empty. There was |
dim light burning from a lantern hang |
ing at the bulkhead. Ellen took it |
down and opened the door of what she |
deemed from her experience was the
captains room, and found she had |
made correct guess. She took the |
to take the key out of the |
door, insert it on the inside OF the |
lock and turn it. The captains room
extended across the after part of the |
ship. The stern windows were large |
and she and Deborah could easily pass !
through them Her one hope was that |
her boat had not been abandoned. |
Sure enough, there it was trailing !
astern, and fortunately on the side
opposite to that on which the line-of- |
battle ship lay The Britannia had |
drifted ahead and had been hove to |
off the starboard bow of the Flying |
Star. Ellen's boat was drifting astern |
eff the port quarter.
CrO BIZ CONTINUED)
MOUTH NO PLACE FOR COINS. |