The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-07

would De Tn the pay HOW uuuer oui guns. She couldn't escape to sea with out running inside the whole, length of the Sandy Hook first. Nos mates. she flew" And the crew of the cor vette insisted on accepting his version even after Captain Ludlow had ascer- tained that the sea hads cut a passage tn rough the narrow Hook, opening 8 | way from the cove to the sea, as the | ocean does still at intervals. making | the Sandy Hook an island temporarily till the drifting sands close the opening again. There was no doubt in his mind that the brigantine had slipped through in the height of, the squall. for the same wind that had threatened to beach the corvette had blown fair for the daring | course of the smuggler.. -'. t-tf | The next morning. when the dtsap- pointed officer came ashore again at Lust in Rust, he was shocked by the information that Aida had disappear ed during the night. There was mute evidence that she had been aboard the brigantine. and Ludlow. whose jealous mind had been haunted by the thought of the handsome smuggler. had to ad- init to himself against his will. that the girl had. eloped with him. Being ig- norant of the fact that Aida had new CT seen the stranger before. he assum- ed that she had known him 8 long lime.
 His loyal heart recoiled. however. from the suggestions of his reason. He put to sea in search of the smuggler with a zeal far beyond that of a mere royal sailor.
 Ludlow. returned to the bay after two | days cruising to find Aida safe at home, The alderman met him effu- sively-a reception that surprised him till he discovered that since Aida s escapade the young Patroon of Kim derhook had relinquished all claims to her favor, and the prudent uncle had fallen back on the wooer whom he had scorned till then.
 was, still longed to believe in his sweetheart and begged her to tell him where she had been. but she responded only with indirect replies. He de- parted with heavy heart. for she had left no doubt that she really had been aboard the brigantfne.
 His barge was taking him swiftly to the cruiser when his eye saw 8 small boat in the gloom. He steered to 1t, ran alongside and saw that the single form in 1t was none other than that of Seadrift. the smuggler.
 "I must take you aboard my ship. Master Seadrift," said the captain, "and send you as prisoner to the authorities at York when opportunity offers. am no exciseman. to take smugglers on land. but I must have your vessel, and as a first step I must have you. now that have met you fairly on the water
 The sailor made no objection, though he showed agitation. He asked only that he be permitted to send a mes- sage to Aida. request which the gen. erous commander granted instantly. | though with sharp pang..
 Convinced now that the reckless free trader had ventured back into the cove. Ludlow hurried his barge to the cor vette, and as soon as he had seen his prisoner comfortably and securely in- stalled in his own cabin he made prep arations for the brigatine's capture that would have been ample for an expedition against frigate.
 Every boat was made ready for armed service. The largest launch was ordered to row around the Sandy Hook and proceed along the ocean side to the inlet through which the brigan- time had escaped before. Another heavily manned boat was sent through the bay to the mouth of the cove with orders to close in on the vessel as soon as rockets from the launch showed that she guarded the exit.
 Not content with thus closing in on the smuggler, Ludlow ordered boats to every channel leading out of the harbor, so that even If by a mil racle the brigantine should fight ofr the boats and gain the bay she could not get to sea.
 Fully half the ships crew was sent away on this service. but enough re- mained to handle the ship smartly. As soon as the boats had disappeared in the night, orders were given to weigh anchors and stand out into the harbor in readiness to meet the brigantine on any course she might take.
 Just as the vessel was about to break out her anchor a small boat pulled alongside. and Alderman Van Beverout came aboard with his niece. asking to be permitted to speak to the prisoner.
 Captain Ludlow at once escorted them to the cabin and then hurried back to the deck. Slowly the great bulk of the warship moved blackly against the stars. Deep silence reign ed in every part. and every eye was bent into the dark quarter where the signal was expected from the barge.
 At last a clear light shone far away. Three times 1t was raised and lowered