The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-05-13

IL
beside a post to await their coming.
once again searching the harbor with
my night-Slasses.
The company at last arrived by twos
from ont the enveloping gloom. silent
ly grouping themselves amid the shad-
ows. I could distinguish an occasional
gruff cough, and the shuffling of feet.
but there was no sound of CONVERSE
ton or hilality. Evidently De Nova
had sufficiently sobered them to their
duty. At last one man detached
himself from among the crowd
and moved stealthily forward 7 met
him al the shore end of the wharf
peered into his face. half.concealed
beneath the visor of his cap, until |
recognized the fellow.
Grew all here. Mr.. Tuttle?"
Yes. sir" he answered. startled bv
my sudden appearance into courteous
response. but mighty uneasy TO be
off"
They shall not be delayed. Get the
boats out at once. You are to take
charge of the whalebOat and | will
accompany De Nova in the cutter. Pull
silently TO the end of the wharf and
lie by there to await instructions. Do
your men understand the boats they
are assigned to-"
''Ay, ay, sir"
Very well, then: get the boats out,
and the crews aboard. Not a sound,
remember, for there are guards patrol
ling the harbor"
must confess this preparatory work
was well and smartly accomplished.
the men the merest silent shadows as
they hauled the two hidden boats
forth from cOuCealment and quietly
took their assigned places at the oars.
Tuttle's crew was first aflOat. De
Nova experiencing some difficulty from
attempting to load too near shore, in
somewhat shallow water.
Drop overheard, Two of YOU and
shove off" ! ordered. finally Lively
now, lads but no splashing"
The two fellows in the stern low
cred themselves into the shallow wa
ter, bending down so as to put their
shoulders against the planks for a
heaV2. Suddenly not three feet dis
tant, smudge of shadow uplifted. and
| became conscious of pallid human
face cleaning family through the
dark, Instantly | leaped toward it,
with such force as to send the heavily
laden boat swirling forward. the heav-
ing men plunging face downward into
the water. There was a startled ex-
clamation in Spanish. a short arm
blow shot into dimly revealed. half
familiar face fierce grip at the
throat, and the two of US were on the
sand, graphing like wild cats Out
OF the water, dripping from their
bath the two seamen came to my aid.
and, between us, We pinned the fellow
to helpless silence
Toss him into the boat" / said,
painting from eXertion, He will be
safer with us than left ashore"
1t appeared even darker out on the
water than when we looked off upon it
from the land but, with a few eau
smudge which represented Tuttles
whaleboat. and drew up within an
oars length Of where he lay waiting.
Mr., futile" | began. speaking
slowly and concisely so that the men
in both boats could hear, this is going
TO be no boys play tonight, and I ex-
pect implicit obedience to my orders
Do exactly what | tell you and no
more. You know the situation of the
Esmeralda. and want you to put your
WhalebOat in under her bow. If you
keep point east of north you can
scarcely miss it, There is a Jumping
big brigantine anchored 100 feet be-
You'd, with only a single light showing
on her foremost. II you come up I'M
der her shadow you are not likely to
be seen before you drift down against
the Esmeralda's cutwater. Make use
OF the anchor-chain. and get half
dozen men quietly over the forecastle
rail Don't move from there until you
receive some signal from me- Then
clap down the fOrecaste scuttle, and
make straight for the engine room.
That will comprise the entire duty OF
your crew; and, above all things, let
1t be accomplished silently. Don't per-
nit one OF your men to carry loaded
firearm. Use Delaying pins, II you
need to, or marlinspike. but no guns.
De Nova and | will go in by way Of
the stern, and we will be responsible
for the after-deck and the bridge. Has
any one a question to ask?"
There was no response, the only
sounds audible being the soft tapping
OF the water and the deep breathing
of the men. | could distinguish them
leaning eagerly forward, but the faces
were undecipherable in the gloom.
You understand clearly"
"Ay ay, Mr. Stephens" and Tuttle's
nasal voice had completely lost all its
former trace of insolence.
Then pull away slowly and noise
lessly; don't hurry; well give you
plenty OF time to get in. Good-by, and
good luck to you"
The balanced oars dipped gently
Into the water scarcely ripuling II.