The Lamar register., 1908-12-16
CHAPTER XXI.
The Royal Intervention.


Five bells in the forenoon watch on
the Britannia. The great ship in the
perfection of readiness, so clean that
you could have eaten your dinner off
her decks with u clear conscience If
you wished; her 700 men in spick and
span uniforms, her officers gorgeous
in gold lace. royal blue and spotless
white; her marines in vivid scarlet;
her masts decked with flags from fly
ing-jib to spanker-boom end. her yards
manned with row after row of sailors.
others mustered around the great guns
on the main deck, was ready for visit
from her august master.
Everybody on the ship was full Of
excitement except the lonely prisoner
in the gunroom. A barge was seen
pulling from the shore and from a
flagstaff forward the royal ensign fut-
tered out in the fresh morning breeze.
In a few moments little man In a
shovel hat and plain civilians dress
stepped out of the boat and clambered
briskly up the accommodation ladder
really a flight of stairs which had
been rugged over the side. The ad-
miral, the fiag-captain, the officers OF
the ship, hats in hand. with much bow
ing and saluting met him at the gang
way. As the royal foot touched the
white deck the royal nag was broken
out at the masthead. the boatswain
piped, the band struck up God Save
the King" and the great guns of the
main deck Numbered out the royal
salute.
The admiral turned, faced forward,
waved his cooked hat and the whole
ship rang with enthusiastic cheering
The king nodded like the plain little
famer he was, without any particular
ceremony. shook hands with the ad-
miral. waved his arm graciously to the
officers and. attended by the admiral,
stepped aft and disappeared later in
the great cabin under the poop deck
Now" said the king. as he sat
down in the cabin, has everything
been prepared?".
Everything is ready, your majesty
The ship is provisioned for her cruise,
the officers and men aboard. All
ready, sir"
"I performed my part of the under
taking this morning"
The king chuckled. Kephard grinned
profoundly. but said nothing.
You can fetch the prisoner here
now"
The admiral turned and called the
orderly. gave him a message, and in a
few moments my lord Darlington, un-
armed, presented himself IN the cabin
By the kings direction Kephard
stood in front Of his majesty. and Car
rington did not at flrst see who was
there. He knew certainly from the
commotion that the king had come
aboard the ship, but that was all.
Lieutenant Lord Darlington" be-
gan Admiral Kephard severely, "the
hour of your court-martial has arrived,
but before you appear in its presence
his gracious majesty has kindly
thought at to see you in person. He
is here to receive you, to hear what
you have to say for yourself"
Admiral Kephard suddenly stepped
aside and disclosed little George sit
ting back in the huge admirars chair.
Little George had very heavy frown
upon his face and did his best to as
sumo a godlike and menacing mein.
Darlington knelt at once. The king
looked hard at him.
Rise, SIR" he said In q voice which
he strove to make harsh and forbid
ding. Pretty doings l hear about
you"
Lord Darlington bowed profoundly,
but said nothing.
Have you nothing to say for your
self, sir?" continued the king.
Your majesty, nothing"
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