The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-05-16
HsartIn.n said the captain.

A4A ~ oAAA ~ IoKAAAns
Ellen did a strange thing. She ran
across thu deck to the gangway, leaned
far over 1t, lifted her hat and waved It
three or four times at the boats vainly
pursuing. Then not waiting for a re-
turn Of her salute, she rejoined the
captain.
'If you please, captain" she said,
wed like to have something to eat
and a place to sleep, We've had moth
ing but hard tack and water since
yesterday morning, and what sleep
we got we had to take in the cutter"
you shall have everything the ship
affords" said Capt Tuggles, a
worthy seaman, there's only
thing within reason that I cant sup
ply"
And what is that?"
Female toggery," answered the cap
tain.
81 don't need that. I like these
clothes" returned the girl, boldly.
The captain himself took the two
below. He called his cabin boy and
set before them a p%rodigtous guam
tity of substantial fare. They we're
both hungry enough to have eaten
ruder provision with a hearty zest.
When their appetite was stayed, the
captain showed them to a cabin with
two berths in 1t. Both women we're
SO tired that recriminations which
trembled in the air were deferred un-
Til they had taken needed rest.
Dressed as they were, each crawled
into her respective berth and o was
SOUND asleep.
1t was dark before either awoke.
What disturbed her, Ellen could not
tell, but she suddenly found herself
sitting up in her berth listening to a
faint hail that came down the wind
and through the open air port into the
cabin.
A voice said grufly:
This is his majesty's ship-of-the-
line Britannia. Heave to and I'll send
a boat aboard"
THE Britannica" exclaimed Ellen
under her breath. Admiral Kenhard'a
flagship"
What could it mean? She rose to
her feet and stepped to the port hole.
1t was pitch dark outside She could
see nothing. The moon had not yet
risen. Over her head Capt. Tuggles
wa replying.
What do you want with me?" he
cried, roughly.
You'll find out" answered a voice
from the darkness, when we send a
boat aboard"
A moment after Ellen caught a
glimpse Of the running light Of a
large ship slowly closing upon the
Flying Star. Other lights cleaned
from port holes here and there, bring
ing the huge liner in fair view.
This is the high seas" answered
Capt. Tuggles, with great spirit. I'm
a peaceful merchantmen from the
United States, and I'm damned If I'll
heave to for anybody"
Brave Capt. Tugglesl Ellen thrilled
in her soul, but she knew that the
game was up. No merchantmen could
brave a war vessel, and one flying an
! admirals flag at that, with impunity.
: The next instant a gun flashed from
the side Of the sh~ip-ofthe-line and a
deep boom rolled across the black
water.
IF you don't heave to-" cried the
/, voice from the other ship, the next
; shotll go into you"
To hesitate longer was madness. Ell
> len could hear Capt. Tuggles dash his
, trumpet to the deck and the next min
ute his hoarse voice bidding the watch
swing the main yard. The ship slowly
I shot up into the wind and presently
lay still. On the ship-of-the-line Ellen
t could hear the shrill whistling of pipes
and hoarse voices calling away the
: crew of the cutter. Unless she acted
Immediately she was lost. The ship
of-the-line could have oyerhauled the
merchantmen only for her.
She turned from the portfolio to find
t Deborah, who had been awakened by
the cannon shot, standing half dazed
!. at her side.
DeDDle, she crleu, I've changed
o my mind"
" What do you mean?" asked
/, Deborah.
|. I'm going back to Portsmouth"
well, I'm glad you've come to your
d senses at last"
n Yes" said Lady Ellen, there's a
ship out there which has just ordered
Capt, Tuggles to heave to, to stop his
ship, that is. We must escape her"
Whose ship is it?"
e Il don't know. 1t may be a French
man, or a pirate, or At any rate, our
only chance is to get away while they
are busy. They'll never notice us
"How will you do it?" asked Debo,
rah ASK Capt. Tuggles to set you
n ashore?"
no be continued)