The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1908-10-23

If one or the other, or both Of them
had not been killed in that inter
change of pistol shots, and he sur.
missed that the first duty to which.
they would devote themselves would
be to see which one could kill the
other.
He therefore determined to chase
the ship. Not in his own boat, oh, no!
He had a better plan than that. A
ready and TeSourceful man was Sir
Charles Seton. And while he was deep
ly in love with Mistress Debbie the.
more in love because through Ellec's
persistence his sweetheart had been,
as it We're, dragged out of his arms
and therefore added the value of the
uhattainable to his pursuit of her, yet
he was not in addition blinded by
passion, jealousy and hatred as were
Darlington and Strathgate. He knew
that Mistress Debbie despised men Of
the Strathgate stamp, and although
everything in petticoats was fair game
for Strathgate, he also knew that the
earl was on this occasion bent toward
Lady Ellen. Therefore, he was in a
saner and brighter mood than the
other two.
Not far away lay the great ships Of
Admiral Kephard. The admiral had
announced his intention of posting
down to Portsmouth by coach. The
first thing he would do when he ar
rived would be to board his flagship
which lay at the head of the line Of
a dozen little ships several miles
away from the place where Sir
Charles had taken ground. Sir
Charles reasoned that the admiral
would be in hurry to get to Ports
mouth and that even if he did not
press the post boys, he would prob
ably have reached his ship by the time
Sir Charles could get there.
Therefore, he possessed his soul in
such patience as he could until his
own boat once more got under way.
He had hidden Master whitley to
mark we'll the course of the merchant
man upon which Ellen and Deborah
had taken refuge This ship headed
steadily eastward and seemed to have
settled down for long voyage.
1t took but a short time for Sir
Charles to run alongside the Britain
MIA Bidding the men wait for him.
he scrambled up the battens to the
gangway and stepped aboard.
An officer met him at once.
81 am Sir Charles Seton" began the
soldier, captain in the Sussex light
infantry"
Il am pleased to see you, sir" an
swered the officer, courteously, extend
ing his hand Il am Lieutenant Col.
lier Of the royal navy"
As Sir Charles shook the sailors
hand he asked:
is Admiral Kephard on the ship%
yes, sir. He came aboard a half
an hour ago and wen. Immediately to
his cabin"
May l see him."
I'll send your name In. Mr.. Mort
lake." said the officer, turning about.
A smart midshirman ian across the
deck and touched his cap.
my compliments to Admiral KEEP
hard and say to him that Captain Sir
Charles Seton of the Sussex light in
fantry desires the privilege Of speech
with him"
"Ay, ay, SIR" answered the midship-
man, saluting again and scurrying aft
Might l ask you, Mr.. Collier" said
Sir Charles, IF the Britannia is ready
for instant service?"
The lieutenant smiled.
"All his majesty's ships are ready
for service at any time"
Yes, yes, | know, of course" re-
turned Seton, but what l mean is,
could this ship be got under way at
once?"
Con the instant"
And is she prepared for a cruise?'
she could go around the world and
take her departure within an hour"
returned the lieutenant with a pleased
sense of demonstrating the efficiency
of his majesty's navy beyond perad-
venture May | ask why you wish
TO know" he continued turning to
Sir Charles.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)