The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-01-09
CHAPTER XXXIII.
SHIPWRECK.

|
The 80 seconds allowed in Her
| Zog's challenge seemed to have
been multiplied by 10 before there
was any result. / could not but ad
mire my INSCRIPTIONS ally during
that period of suspense. His aim
never wavered nor did he show the
slightest apprehension for his per
sonal safety, great as were the odds
he had taken upon himself to con
front. tried to read upon his
face signs of what was passing on
the, to me, invisible bridge, but his
expression remained sternly impas
| sive.
The answer from the enemy
came at last, not in a bullet, but In
string of oaths. And with the
answer came relief, for almost
simultaneously the Nightshade's
bows wore round for the other
course-that between the main
land and the Wight.
Herzog did not lower his re-
volver, but after reassuring nod
at me he addressed himself to
Belcher:
II give you credit for that act OF
wisdom, captain" he shouted. "You
and your crew have nothing to fear
from me so long as you obey or
ders. But l shall shoot any man
who attempts to come aft of the
bridge, and l shall shoot you and
put the mate in charge If you don't
keep up good speed-10 knots a,
least" st
Another volley of blasphemy flew
back but the vessel plodded on to
the westward In the teeth of the
fast rising gale. *
Il am afraid tht, for a stout man
who loves his ease, have taken or
rather a large order" Herzog hall
turned his head to say to me. al
the mildest computation we cannot
be off Totland for another three
hours. and | must keep watch and
ward all that time 0 ma deck thai
bids fair to become slippery. Luck
lily, my legs are fairly seaworthy
Before became q surveyor OF
taxes l had the honor to care fol
her late majesty's revenue as an
exciseman in Belfast harbor.'
AS the steamer adged further
into the Solent, our chief foe fol
the moment, the weather, had its
flank turned by the island barrier
and we steamed past East Cowes
with its anchorage full of shelter
ing yachts in less discomfort. Still
the wind and the waves were
against us, and the old fruit tramp
made but poor time. 1t was past
noon when we We're off the mouth
of Southampton Water, and ther
something happened.
Herzog preserved his original pc
sition at the corner of the deck
house, with his pistol in hand
poised ready for use, and with his
gaze focused on the forepart OF
the ship. which l could not see.
myself was impatiently watching
the island shores, and thinking how
slowly they seemed to slip by
when yacht, anchored inshore of
West Cowes, attracted my atten
ton. l thought recognized her as
one which had been lying at Tot
land fortnight before. In order
to prolong my scrutiny Of the
yacht, when we had passed, my
eyes turned further astern, and in
doing SO encountered a sight which
drew from me warning cry.
Two of the Magistrates foreign
cutthroats were peering round the
corner of the aft wheel house. They
were armed with long knives. ano
were evidently on the point of at
lacking Herzog from the rear AS
he turned at my scream they made
their rush. but the moments warn
ing was enough for that ready hand
and brain. Two shots from his re
volver rang out In quick succession
and the treacherous ruffians fen
MORALLY wounded. one on the tor
OF the other.
Thank you. Miss Chilmark;
could wish for no smarter aide,
said Herzog. whipping around ant
covering the bridge again To M,
surprise there was another fast