The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1908-09-25

est the WarShlpS he pointed Off
toward Admiral Kephard's fleet of
grim war monsters swinging easily at
their anchors in the strong ebb-"but
she's gone now"
She got under way at daybreak
this morning. said bystander; 'yOn-
der she is" He pointed down the
harbOr at a ship under full sail rapid
ly working toward the channel.
WHO has the fastest boat in the
harbOr?" cried Strathgate with sud-
den resolution.
Il have. yer honor" answered
Cooper.
And although his claim was vocifer-
ously disputed by a dozen men who
crowded around Strathgate, whQ rath-
er liked the appearance of the man,
pitched upon him for his purpose.
"A hundred pounds to YOU he cried
loudly, If you put me on board the
Flying Star before she gets out Of the
harbOr.'
I'D like to see the color of yer
money, yer honor, begin yer par
don" said Cooper.
Strathgate pulled out a full purse
and passed him ten-pound note.
This for earnest money" he said.
Now hasten.'
I'll want hand to help me with
the sails said Cooper, full of excite
ment.
Five pounds to the man that goes,
if we win. I'm the earl of Strath,
gate
Yes, your lordship."
Take me- Cooper"
"lll go." cried one and another.
Cooper quickly selected his man,
choosing one of the lightest and most
agile of the applicants.
Into the boat with you" cried
Strathgate as soon as the matter was
settled
Now that he had made up his mind,
he was eager to be off. He did not
know where Ellen was. He had no
assurance that she was on that ship,
but at any rate it was a possible clew,
and anything was better than passing
the day in idleness at Portsmouth.
Perhaps Ellen had come in in some
way during the night. Stop. 1t sud.
denly flashed into his mind that she
might have come by sea. There would
have been plenty of time, if she had
gotten a boat, anywhere near the
place where the carriage was wrecked
This made him the more impatient
and anxious to get away.
Fired by the splendid reward for
success, Cooper and his man worked
double tides and soon had the sails
hosted and the boat ready for de-
parture,
will yer honor come now"
Immediately" cried Strathgate.
1--WE haven't moment to lose, your
lordship' returned Cooper. Those
Yankees are swift footers and it'll be
nip and tuck if We overhaul her"
Strathgate sprang into the boat and
Cooper showed off, The boom swung
out to leeward and the sail of the
cutter filled. She was in the lee Of
the wharf however, and was moving
very slowly when a horseman came
galloping down to the strand at full
speed. His sorry steed was COM
pletely blown. The rider dropped the
reins on the horses neck, sprang to
the ground and ran out on the wharf,
attracted thereto by the crowd Of peo-
pie watching the departure of Strath-
gate. AS he ran, he shouted:
Can any of you tell me anything
about the New Eagle?"
GAY, MASTER" answered one of the
boatmen, "she sailed yesterday morn.
ing for Philadelphia"
yesterday morning."
cay, yer honor
What ship is that" continued Car
rington, peering straight down the har.
Dor "She looks like an American"
He was viewing her with the eye of
sailorly experience.
"'Tis an American" answered an
other, that be the Yankee clipper,
Flying Star"
when did she sail?"
"This morning at daybreak."
"Where is"
At that moment Carrington's eye |
comprehended the little cutter Gid
ing along the wharf He recognized |
standing up in the stern
sheets with his arms akimbo, an in
sulting smile upon his face. With a
muttered oath Darlington in two
bounds reached the side of the wharf.
The boat was increasing it's speed at
every moment.
"Strathgate" Numbered Darlington,
where is my He stopped. Where
are the fugitives?"
Strathgate laughed ironically, while
VI rrip with oouor avoc COO robo5