Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-04-01


great alarm, there's some boats comm
up the inlet, sir. The oars seems to be
muffied. but we kin make 'em out, sir.
There's half dozen on 'em, am"
Wait" said the Captain, eaping for
the door
my turn now,' sneered the Major tri-
umphantly.
Not yet" answered Smith, disappear
ing.
AS he reached the deck he became aware
of small group of horsemen who gal
loped up the road and halted on the
wharf. They dismounted. and one of
their number came towards the Ellen.
They were the nearest foemen, and they
| must be attended to first. The American
sailors on the privateer weer armed with
cutlasseS. guns. and bayonets. In the
darkness they had not been able to get
any powder yet There were still five
shots in Smiths revolver. however. He
ran to the gangway.
Back" he cried. "Stay where you
are or | fire -
This was the party of men Major
Jones had dispatched after Smith. The
approaching man did not stop, and the
others, who had dismounted, started to-
wards the ship. The revolver cracked and
the foremost man shrieked and fell, bull
let through his shoulder.
whats the meaning of this?" shouted
| the second man.
This ship is in possession Of the Unit
ed States. If you do not wish to be shot
down. run for your lives"
| The men turned and fled instantly.
taking with them their wounded com
rade.
'The boats, sir said Gantlin; they're
| close aboard"
Smith ran to the other side. There he
discerned a black blur on the water. Th
heard the unmistakable "cheep' of oars
in the rowlock-a man-of-war stroke, he
thought. AS he stared he made out
second, then a third. His heart sank
within him. Was he to fail, after all?
At least, they should have a fight for it.
Men" he said, well make 'em fight
when they come alongside"
The statement was received with cheers
by the st. Lawrence's men, led by Cant
lin. The boats were closer now, conceal
ment was no longer possible. There was
an answering cheer from the water. The
men on the thwarts bent to the oars.
That's no rebel YELL" cried Smith ex-
citedly.
That's a man-owar stroke an man
o'-war cher" cried Gantlin.
Boat ahoy ~ shouted Smith, following
his hand.
There was no answer from any of the
boats, now close aboard.
1--WE have captured this privateer !"
roared Smith. They could lose nothing
by telling the truth now. Were from
the st. Lawrence. Keep off. Declare
yourselves or I'll fire. Who are you?'
Il believe l know that voice." came
from the nearest boat.
"Dillingham?" exclaimed Smith eagerly
"Ay, is it Captain Smith,
1T is"
well :" exclaimed Dillingham;, swing
ing his boat alongside. II always get
there too late" he said disgustedly as
he mounted to the deck. Not hearing
from you the Commodore got anxious and
ventured to send the Wamego through the
inlet and across the sound. Nobody saw
us. We had no chart and had to wait
until nightfall, and then, not daring to
me this boat expedition. We supposed
you were killed or captured"
Not bit of it." said Smith conf
IDENTIFY. we're just getting up steam to get
away. I'm awfully glad you came, though.
Bring your men on board and send one
boats crew over to the Greyhound. l
want to bring her out as we'll"
do you know the river"
Il marked it well when | came in and
| guess | can get along"
Beg pardon. sir" said a man coming
out of the darkness, 'but Mr.. Cleft says
| that he'll have steam up in five minutes y
Quick work, that" said Smith glee-
! fully; "we'll cast off at once. First, |
want you to come into the cabin a mo-
ment, Dillingham;"
Luck is against you. Major" said
Smith, genially, "the boats are ours, not
yours. Allow me to present to you
Lieut.. John B. Dillingham;, of the United
States ship Wamego.'
Glad to meet you, SIR" said Dilling-
ham. who was very much mystifed.
It's more than | am" said the Major
turning his back
"And this" said the Captain, facing
| Dillingham; ABOUT, Is MISS Ellen Jones,
nv afianced wife"
"Well, you are in luck" said Dilling-
ham with sailors frankness; "and you
have reason to be congratulated as well
madam"
"Are you through with me?" asked the
Major.
Yes" answered Smith, "we're about tc
cast off"
Father" said Ellen piteously, before
| go won't you"
"Silence," :" cried the unrelenting man.
and stamped his foot in rage and stalked
out of the cabin.
"DiHingham," said Smith, "see him over
the side, will you? I'll be out in a mo-
ment."
81 understand" said Dillingham;, smil-
= ing.
: oh" said Smith. approaching the
blushing Ellen when they were alone, 81
thought you were a traitor"
NO. said the girl, choking back sob
"only a woman whose father has cast her
off. who has nothing but you"
81 shall try to be everything to you,
said the young man.
You will have to be-" said Miss Ellen
smiling through her tears, and then she
was lost in his arms.
The evening after these exciting adpcn-
| IL H., ho mi