The San Francisco call., 1908-08-23
Copyright by D. Appleton & Co.. 1905.
CHAPTER TX


HIAIE slipped on. Days passed
into weeks and the weeks into
months. The hardships of their
captivity were not excessive, nor
did the Americans greatly suffer from
the WEAKNESS or tedium of it. The
sailors had their daily labor to per-
form, the officers had the instruction
Of the midshipmen, and the midship-
men found every hour so fully employ ed
that when night came the day seemed
TO have been short The midshipmenr
however. had confidently reckoned
upon their liberation in the early
spring AS February approached they
began to prepare, with all the san
guine expectation of youth, for 8
speedy release Every morning. as soon
as they walked. they rushed to the
narrow windows in the stone wall and
looked out eagerly, hoping to see the
American squadron standing in the
ohing; and every evening, at the last
CLEAN OF daylight, their young eyes
eagerly searched the horizon for g
sight of the flag they loved so well
But the only large ship which met their
gaze was the unfortunate Philadelphia
anchored in the harbor and wearing
the pirate flag of her captors.
Captain cambridge, however. was
well informed concerning the plans of
knew. weeks in advance. that some
time between the first and the middle
Of February a determined attempt tc
destroy the Philadelphia at her moor
ings would be made by Stephen De-
catur. the daring young captain of the
Intrepid
The January weather had proved
mild and admitted of several voyages
OF GiovannTs little vessel betweer
syracuse and Tripon Not the slight
est suspicion was aroused concerning
the communications between Captain
cambridge and Commodore Preble
which were known to the older Of
hcers, though strictly kept from al
the midshipmen except Dicky Fal
coner. It was therefore not with sur
prise, but with the keenest JOY an
hope of liberty and pride in tn
achievements Of their countrymen, tha
on the night of the fifteenth of Feb
ruary Captain cambridge and his of
fcers witnessed the glorious and thrill
ing destruction Of the frigate by Cap
tain Decatur and his heroic compah
ions.
To the midshipmen, however. it wa
wholly unexpected. That night Roge
Thorne found himself unable to sleeI
and about midnight, turning restlessl
upon his hard pallet, he heard a run
ming to and fro in the courtyard upo
which their windows gave. He rose an
moving quietly toward the window
climbed up and peered out. The nigh
was moonless, but the large brigh
stars Of the African sky shone fitfull
between the scurrying clouds an
flashed upon the still waters of the har
Dor. The great black hull of the Phil
adelphia loomed dark and shadow
close to the mole. Movement wa
evidently going on upon the ship an
the sentries on shore had given tn
alarm. but so far no boat had bee
sent out to the frigate. There wa
much running to and fro on shor'
and a number of .dark figures wer
N moving toward the mole.
Roger went over to the pallet wher
Totten lay snoring peacefully. A touc
on his arm made Totten sit up at ono
and ask quietly:
What is it2"
For answer Roger pointed to til
window. Totten climbed up and locke
ont. His movements. quiet as the
we're had reused the other midshipme
trained to wake at the slightest nois
and with all their wits about then
Tben Totten in a low voice. but wit
q note of command as he was ii
senior midshipman. said:
Bring the bench and table UP to II
windows so we can all see. Make T
noise
This was done with noiseless rapiC
stv Now every midshipman had
good view OF the harboE BY III;
time they could see lights passin
hack and forth upon the frigate, an
faint sounds indicating commotion wei
horne by the wind to their ears. G
shore the excitement was rapidly il
creasing and the garrison was turnin
ont but with a slowness and eonfusic
cbaracteristic Of the orientals. To
ten. turning to the midshipmen, sa
in a low, distinct voice:
~ru tell you something, but don
cheer. I believe some of our men hay