Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-04-25
CHAPTER XIII


An lmpromptu Affair on the High Seas.
Il was hardly possible At first. even
for so practiced and acute an eve as
Carrington's. TO determine whether he
or Strathgate had the better boat In
the first place. the two cutters we're
continually on opposite courses. split
ting tacks. tho wind blowing straight
into the harbor. AID IL was not until
they had passed and repassed each
other several times that Darlington
became convinced that he was gain
Ing on his antagonist The gain. how
ever. was a slight one The differ
ence In the rate OF sailing between
the two boats was not very great
Both OF them sailed faster than the
Flying Star In the air then prevail
ing When the big ship got out into
the channel she would probably run
away from the two fishing boats with
out difficulty. The wind being as Il
was necessitated a hard beat out, and
again this gave the smaller vessels an
advantage. for they could hold on
where the great ship was compelled
20 tack FOR fear OF shoal water. And
with every tack they gained distance.
Darlington studied the sea intently
and concluded that II the wind did not
shift and IL did not come 10 blow hard
er than IL was, there was every pros
pect that both boats would overhaul
the ship. Whether hS could beat
Strathgate at that game, however, In
the time at his disposal was a ques-
ton. At any rate there was nothing
~ IN hfff hn1 Il at H.. 4
viewed Carrington's usurpation OF the
helm with some misgiving at first,
but his distrust soon gave place TO
admiration. for never was a small
boat better handled than by the young
naval officer. II Darlington had been
sailing the cutter in a race for a stake
OF $4,000. he could rot have watched
her more carefully or handled her
more skillfully. He made everything
tell.
That worthy fisherman. Cooper, who
was sailing Strathsate's boat, albeit
he did very well, was a mere tyro COM
pared to Darlington. Indeed, Caring
ton felt as II he were sailing his boat
for love. honor. happiness. revenge. all
the passions that can engross a heart
and move a soul. Strathgate was no
sailor. but after an hours rapid sailing
even he could see that eventually Car
rington would overhaul him. He
spoke OF this 20 Cooper, wringing q
reluctant admission of the truth OF
his conclusions from the sailor, but
the latter promised to put him along
side the merchant ship at least be-
fore Darlington ran him down.
For perhaps an hour the three yes
sels-the ship and the two small
boats-held on. every moment bring
ing the little chasers nearer their
great quarry. The Flying Star was
making no especial effort at speed.
Her royals were not yet set. She
was proceeding on her voyage rather
leisurely. in fact. and the others were
An high hope, Darlington, especially.
He thought that he at last had Strath-
gate where he could not escape, and
AZ Ellen and Deborah were on that
ship. they could not get away, either.
Into this peaceful nautical passage
Mt arms, suddenly a new factor was
introduced That Of course, was FL
lens boat Sheltered by the island
neither Strathgate nor Darlington
had noticed IL until II suddenly shot
into view. Now Ellen had a better
wind than any OF the other three. On
q broad reach she came down on the
big ship. as a sailor would phrase 1t.
hand over fist Her little boat was
heeled over until the lee gunwale was
awash and danced over the waves at
. terrific pace.
Darlington saw the boat first. The