The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-03-20


u the growing smoke column,
''ls worse hotbed of rumors than a
down east village. That's the third
sea gull we've had officially reported
since breakfast"
AS he said. three distinct times the
Wolverine had thrilled to an imminent
discovery, which upon nearer investi-
CATION had dwindled to nothing more
than n floating fowl. Upon the heels
of Carriers complaint came another
hail.
Boat ahoy! Three points on the
starboard bow"
| "If that's another gull" muttered Car
ter, "Ill have something TO say TO you
my festive lookout"
The news ran electrically through
the cruiser, and all eyes were strained
for glimpse of the boat. The ship
swung away 10 starboard.
| Let me know as soon as you can
make her out" ordered Carter.
AYE. aye. sir"
"There's certainly something there"
said Forsythe presently. II can make
out speck rising on the waves
"Bit o wreckage from Barnett's der
elicit" muttered Trendon, scowling
through his glasses.
Rides too high for a spar or any
thing of that sort" said the junior
lieutenant.
! shes a small boat" came in the
clear tones of the lookout, "driftin'
down"
ANY one in herr asked Carter.
cant maze out yet, sir. No ones
in charge though. sir"
| Captain Parkinson appeared, and
Carter pointed out the speck TO him.
"Yes. Give her full speed" said the
captain, replying TO n question from
the officer OF the deck
Forward leaped the swift cruiser, all
too slow fer the anxious hearts Of
those aboard. For there was not one
of the Wolverines who did not expect
from this aimless traveller of desert
seas ut the least a leading clew 10 the
riddle that oppressed them.
"Aloft therer
| aye, aye. sir"
"Can you make out her buildT'
"Rides high. like a dory, sir
WASN'T there dory on the Laugh
ing Lassf" cried Forsythe.
ION her stern davits," answered
Trendon.
1T is hardly probable that unat-
tached small boats should be drifting
about these seas" said Captain Parkin-
son thoughtfully. III she's a dory,
she's the Laughing Lass boat"
That's what she is" said Barnett.
"You can see her build plain enough
now"
"Mr. Barnett. will you 60 aloft and
Keep me posted?" said the captain.
The executive officer climbed TO join
the lookout As he assembled those be-
low saw the little craft rise high and
slow on a broad swell.
"Same dory," said Trendon. I'D
swear to her in Constantinople'
what else could she be-" muttered
Forsythe.
"Somethin that looks like a man in
the bottom of her" sang out the crows
nest. 1.-TWO of 'em, think"
For five minutes there was stiffness
aboard, broken only by an occasional
low voiced conjecture. Then from
aloft:
1.-TWO men rollln' in the bottom"
Are they aliveT
"No, sir. Not that l can see"
The wind, which had been extremely
variable since dawn, now whipped
around a couple of points, swinging
the boats stern to them. Barnett, put
ting aside his glass for moment, call
ed down:
That's the one. sir. can make
out the name"
Good" said the captain quietly. 1--WE
should have news at least"
lives or MCGUIRE" suggested For.
sythe in low tones.
"Or Billy Edwards" amended Car
ter.
Not Edwards" said Trendon.
How do you know" demanded For
lsythe.
"Dory was aboard when we found
her the second time, after Edwards
had left"
Can you make out which of the men
are in herr" hailed the captain.
Don't think it's any Of our people"
came the astonishing reply from Bar
nett.
Are you sureY'
81 can see only one mans face. sir,
1t isn't Ives or Mcclure. He's n
stranger TO me-"
1T must be one of the crew. them
mo, sir, beg your parding," called
the lookout. Nothin' like that in our
crew. sir"
The boat came down upon them
swiftly. Soon the quarter deck was
looking into her. She was of q type
common enough on the high seas, ex-
cept that step for mast showed
that she had presumably been used for
skimming about open shores. OF her
passengers one lay forward, prone and
quiet. A length Of sailcloth spread
over him made it impossible to see his
garb. At his breast an ugly protuber-
ance, outlined vaguely, limited a de-
formlty.
The other sprawled aft, and at "A