Evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1907-1913, 1908-03-16

polite you are and the quicker you
answer, the less trouble you give us.
the sooner we'll let you CO."
what do you want?" asked Tug
giles Some of my men? They're all
free born Americans, and
tits not men we're after now, but
women
I've none in my crew." said the
American, steadily.
His heart relented at the last min
ute and he thought perhaps he could
stave off the trans-shipping of his
passengers which 1t was now evident
was the purpose of this sea domicili-
airy visit.
Il have no doubt that you speak cor.
rectly." answered Collier but these
ladies would be on your passenger
list"
This ship don't carry passengers"
began Tuggles.
Now. that'll do, captain said Col
lier with touch Of the percmptory
in his voice, two persons were. seen
to board your ship about noon to-day.
One OF them was plainly woman.
the other was disguised in mems
clothing"
Who seen them board my ship"
persisted Tuggles.
Il did, said the other figure.
And who may you be?'
Sir Charles Seton captain in the
Sussex light infantry, although that s
not a matter which need concern you
greatly
"Oh. needn't it?e said Captain Tug
giles.
ALLOW me, Mr. Collier continued
Seton; the two persons are aboard
here and we must take them off the
ship
Il protest against this outrage be-
gan Captain Tuggles.
You can protest until you are black
in the face, or red white and blue. ii
that suits you BETTER said Sir
Charles. Il say the people are here
and mean to have them, and"
BY what right?o
'sMr. Collier has given you an an
swor to that question
And II | refuse to give them ups"
"Ahi You admit they are here
them returned Sir Charles. smiling.
Il admit nothin But If they were
here an I'd refuse to give EN- up.
what then?''
We'd take them by force"
"And how would you get emf"
I'D search the ship"
Search my ship" roared Captain
Tuggles II have 20 stout able-bod-
led American seamen aboard herel"
And ] have as many in the boat
yonder." said Sir Charles, and there
are seven hundred on the britannia.
Now. be reasonable, one Of those per-
sons Is the wife of Lord Darlington.
She's runnirv away from him
rs II agar ne law for a woman to
run away from her husband?"
I'VE have nothing 10 do with that
returned Sir Charles.
AN how do | know your story's
true?' continued the captain. "Ameri-
cans arc not in the habit of runnin'
away from Englishmen, not even
American women from English lords"
And here the worthy captain spoke
truer than he knew. There was even
a touch of the prophetic in his voice,
but we must not anticipate
Whether you believe it or not"
said Sir Charles, is matter of no
consequence. The point Isl the won
en- were seen to board this ship and
we mean to have them. Neither you
nor the crew, nor the women them
selves can prevent 1t and you might as
well submit to the Inevitable, sir"
"You can do what You please. re-
turned The captain, turning his back
upon the Englishmen and stalking aft
"Whcn you're through with my ship
perhaps you'll kindly turn her oyer to
sme, and when | get back to Boston
I'll see that this is reported to Cen
eral Washington"
He's gentleman for whom I
have great respect" returned Sir
Charles, easily, ''and shall be inter-
ested to know what he thinks OF you
for abducting the wife OF peer Of
England ON the high seas"
"Abductin!p roared Captain Tug
giles turning from aft. Il like that She
boarded lof her own free Will"
Mr.. Collier said Seton, interrupt
ing the captain who quickly subsidized
when he saw he was out OF the game
perhaps you will be good enough
to assist me to search the ship. |
confess that the nautical side of my
education has been neglected Where
do you think they are likely to be?"
If they haven't concealed them
selves returned Collier well find
them in the cabin"
And how do you get to the place."
This way" said the lieutenant
pointing to the companion hatchway
The two stumbled down. bidding the
midshipman who had accompanied
them to watch on the deck and sum
mon the boat's crew at the slightest
evidence Of trouble.
The cabin was dark. since Ellen had
taken the precaution to carry the lan-