Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-02-04

them. Now she gathered full head. way, yet edged little by little to wind. ward again.
 Mighty queer tactics," muttered Ed. wards. T 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 full min ute on the strange schooner.
 "Aloft therew he hailed the crows nest. "Do you make out any one aboard?'
 "No, sirv' 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 herT' 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 bis orders, and there ensued a one sided conversation in the pregnant lan- guage of the sea.
 What ship is that?"
 No answer.
 Are you in trouble?" 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. !, "We'n make that little more em- phatic," said Captain Parkinson. A moment later there was the sharp crash of gun, Hnd shot went across the bows of the sailing vessel. Has tened by 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 comesr ran the com ment alongthe cruisers quarterback.
 But the schooner. after standing for z moment all Tapping, answered an- -Otner flaw and went wide about on the opposite tack
 'Derelict" remarked Captain Parkin- son. "She seems to be in good shape, too. Dr. Trendon."
 "Yes, sir" The surgeon went to the captain, and the others could hear his deep. abrupt utterance in reply to some question too low for their ears.
 'Might be, sir. Beriberi. maybe More likely smallpox If anything of that kind. But some of lem would be on deck"
 "Whew. A plague shipw said Billy Edwards. Just my luck to be order Id to board her" He shivered slightly.
 Scared, Billy?" said Ives. Edwards had record for daring which made thls joke obvious enough to be safe.
 T wouldn't want to have my pecul- lar style of beauty spoiled by smallpox marks" said the ensign. with smile on his homely. winning face. And I've a hunch that that ship is not a lucky find for this ship"
 Then I've a hunch that your hunch Is a wrong one" said Ives. How long would you guess that craft to be?'
 They were now within a mile of the schooner. Edwards scrutlnIzed her calculatingly.
 Eighty to ninety feet"
 "Say 150 tons. And she's | two masted schooner. isn't shef" continued Ives insinuatingly.
 "She certainly is."
 ''well. I've a hunch 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 as she veered into the wind again. About she eS ne A sharp sigh of excited disappointment exhaled from the spectators. The name had been painted out.
 'sNo go.- breathed Edwards. But I'll bet another dinner
 -Mr. Edwards" called the captain. "You VIII 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 q mile of the aImiess traveler. and the small boat put out Not one of his fellows but enyied the young ensign as be left the ship. steered by Tim nius. veteran ho's'nis mate. wise h all the ins and outs Of ses wayS They saw him buard neatly running the small boat under the schooner's cOun- ter TheT saw .he fOrszheet eased oT cd ths shl2 rua uP lzts tAs yi14