The San Francisco call., 1908-09-20
A STORY Of NAVAL ADVENTURE
in the WAR with TRIPOD y
by Molly ELLIOT SEAMELL Il
AUTHOR OF THE SPRycHTEY ROMANCE lN
O. kARSAC" (NEW YORK HERALD $4,000
PRIZE sToRYlA VIRGINIA CAVALIER"
" ''cHuDREN O. DESTnNN""THE
LAST DUCHESS OF BELGRADE d ETC.


deeply moved, for the confidence you
have in me. 1 need not say that 1 would
rather die than violate such confidence
But would it not be best that you should
accompany me on the fagship?"
No. replied Sidi Mohammed, whose
delicacy and high mindedness were far
above that of his master. That would
appear as if 1 had no trust in YOU.
which is not true. You shall go and
come as free man."
Captain cambridge again warmly
thanked Sidi Mohammed, who had from
the first shown high sense of honor
in dealing with the Americans. The
two then glided out of the castle on to
the mole, where they found a boat. Cap
tain cambridge entered it alone, and
the wind being fair, the boat sped like
bird across the bright water Within
half an hour it was made fast under
the stern quarter of the Constitution.
Once more, after 10 months of captivity.
Captain Bainbridge trod the deck of an
American man of war. He was received
upon the flagship with open arms by his
fellow officers. There was nothing but
sympathy and praise for him. and al
though the loss OF the Philadelphia lay
heavy upon his heart he was made to
feel that his misfortune was one which
might happen to the bravest and most
capable officer in the service.
On that fateful day not even Mr..
shipmen to their studies. With eager
eyes every officer and man watched the
progress of the little boat CARRYING
Captain cambridge to the Constitution.
When the wind blew out the broad
pennant at the Constitutions main and
the colors of the other ships were
shown there were cheers, shouts and
sometimes tears. The first prepara-
tion made by the midshipmen for their
departure was the careful washing out
of every yestige of the American flag
painted upon the wall and the substi-
tuting of a deaths head and cross bones
as warning Of the fate which awaited
any Tripolitan who ever dared to in
suit that flag. One person, however.
was sad among all the prisoners. This
was Salvatore Desio. who said to the
midshipmen:
Il rejoice that you are going, but I
shall remain to eat the bread of cap
tivity and water it with my tears"
No. Sally" cried Totten. 'Well take
you with us. A slave can be bought.
and since we have enjoyed the hospi-
tality of the bashaw we have drawn
precious little of our pay, SO we shall
all be rich, and we shall make you a
present of your liberty
Salvatore shook his head The mid
shipmen were sanguine young officers,
nearly wild with joy, and disposed to
promise everything to everybody.
The day wore on full of agitation and
excitement to the prisoners within the
walls of the bashaw's castle. Many of
the Tripolitan officials, however, had so
little idea of military honor that they
doubted whether Captain Bainbridge
would ever return to prison after nay-
ing once tasted liberty. The bashaw. as
he watched the boat skimming across
the sea from the window of his castle.
turned as Sidi Mohammed entered the
room holding by the hand his only son,
a noble boy of 10. This boy he formally
delivered to the bashaw as a hostage
for Captain Bainbridge's return.
You are fool" said the bashaw to
Sidi Mohammed in French, SO the boy
could not understand. do you think
the American captain. having once got
his liberty. will return?"
Sir replied Sidi Mohammed. II be-
lieve it so much that / have staked
upon 1t the life of my only son. At
sunset will deliver to you the Ameri-
can captain and you will give me back
my son.
The boy, as if conscious that he was
the subject of discussion, and as if in
heriting his fathers lofty confidence.
quietly bade his father goodby, say
ing:
II will be very good all day"
At o'clock, when Captain Balm
bridge had not returned, the bashaw
sent for Sidi Mohammed and said sar-
castically to him:
What do you now think OF the hon
or of the American captain?
Sir" replied Sidi Mohammed with