The Springdale news., 1909-02-06

Upon my word, I shouldn't be sur prised if the man was right Certain ly there's something queer about that hooker. Look how she handles her self"
 The vessel was some three miles to windward She was a schooner of the common two masted Pacific type. but she was comporting herself in man. ner uncommon on the Pacific or any other ocean Even as Barnett spoke she heeled well over and came rush ing up into the wind, where she stood with all sails shaking Slowly she paid off again, bearing away from them Now she gathered full head way, yet edged little by little to wind ward again.
 Mighty queer tactics," muttered Ed wards. q think she's steering her self"
 Good thing she carries a weather helm," commented Ives who was an expert on sailing rigs. Most of that type do. Otherwise she'd have jibed her masts out, running loose that way" Captain Parkinson appeared on deck and turned his glasses for full min ute on the strange schooner.
 "Aloft theret' he hailed the crows nest. Do you make out any one aboard?"
 ''No, sirt' came the answer.
 Mir Carter, have the chief quarter master report on deck with the signal flags"
 ''Yes, sir
 Aren't we going to run up to herr" asked MeGuire turning in surprise to Edwards.
 And take the risk of getting hole punched in our pretty paint with her running amnek that way Not muchn' Up came the signal quartermaster to get his orders, and there ensued one sided conversation in the pregnant Ian guage of the sea.
 What ship is that?"
 No answer.
 Are you in trouble?' asked the cruiser and waited The schooner showed bare and silent main peak.
 "Heave to-" Now Uncle Sam was giving orders.
 But the other paid no heed.
 Well make that a little more em- phatic," said Captain Parkinson. A moment later there was the sharp crash of a gun, and a shot went across the bows of the sailing vessel. Has tened by a flaw of wind that veered from the normal direction of the breeze the stranger made sharply to wind ward. as if to obey.
 "Ah, there she comesn' ran the com ment along the cruisers quarterback
 But the schooner after standing for moment, all Tapping, answered an other flaw and went wide about on the opposite tack.
 'Derelict," remarked Captain Parkin- son She seems to be in good shape. too, Dr Trendon.'
 -'Yes. sir" The surgeon went to the captain, and the others could hear his deep, abrupt utterance in reply to some question too low for their ears.
 Might be, sir. Beriberi, maybe More likely smallpox if anything of that kind. But some of 'em would be on deck
 "Whew, A plague ship" said Billy Edwards. Just my luck to be order ed to board her" He shivered slightly Scared, Billy?, said Ives. Edwards had a record for daring which made this joke obvious enough 10 be safe
 ''I wouldn't want to have my pecul- far style of beauty spoiled by smallpox marks" said the ensign, with smile on his homely, winning face. And Eve a hunch that that ship is not lucky find for this ship"
 '.Then I've a hunch that your hunch is wrong one" said Ives. How long would you guess that craft to be-"
 They were now within a mile of the schooner Edwards scrutinized her calculatingly.
 Eighty to ninety feet"
 Say f5o tons And she's two masted schooner isn't shefn continued Ives insinuatingly.
 ''She certainly is.
 Well. I've hunch that that ship is a lucky find for any ship. hut partic ularly for this ship"
 "Great Caesar" cried the ensign ex- citedly. Do you think its her@a
 A buzz of electric interest went around the group Every glass was raised Every eye strained toward her stern to read the name as she yeered into the wind again About she came A sharp sigh of excited disappointment exhaled from the spectators. The name had been painted out.
 No go" breathed Edwards. But I'll bet another dinner
 Mir Edwards" called the captain 'You will take the second cutter, board that schooner and make full investigation. "
 "Yes. sir
 Take your time. Don't come along side until she Is in the wind Leave enough men aboard to handle her"
 "Yes. sir"
 The schooner steamed to within half mile of the aimless traveller. and the small boat put out Not one of his fellows but envied the young ensign as he left the ship. steered by Tim