Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-07-29
CHAPTER v.
In which We Gain the Deck.

paused moment amid tne uense
shadows to reflect more carefully upon
some of the details Of our nights
work. For the first time I clearly
realized the desperate nature OF this
adventure upon which was SO reck-
lessly embarked. Gould we once at
tain the yachts deck unobserved and
make our attack with sufficient swift
ness to prevent the discharge Of fire
arms, the rest might be accomplished
without great risk Of discovery, bar
ring some unexpected mishap. The
very audacity of such an attempt was
strongly in our favor. II we succeeded
in silently warping the Esmeralda be-
yond range Of the guns OF the shore
batteries all real and immediate dan
ger would be over. Probably not
war vessel in the harbor had steam
up, and, If they did, no Chilean war
ship could hope to overhaul us when
once fairly at sea.
gave the personnel OF the crew
futile had collected bref considera-
ton. They were no rougher than /
should naturally expect men to be
who were volunteering for such task.
Besides, Jack ashore and Jack at sea
are two widely differing personalities;
once sobered and on shipboard,
steadied somewhat by the perils of
their position, and exhilarated by the
promised reward, they would doubtless
prove efficient enough. futile might
require lesson in sea etiquette, and,
II he did, / felt perfectly confident Of
my ability to administer it promptly
and forcibly. AS for De Nova, had
no doubt that he would prove himself
a good man. So, altogether, my spirits
rose as thus contemplated q definite
plan of action.
| The movement on the water was
only the merest ripple, with the riding
lights Of the various ships at anchor
reflected back as from giant mir
TOR. Two vessels, a full-rigged ship
and small schooner. lay close in
shore, apparently deserted, their decks
gloomy wastes, their bare spars stick
ing up skeleton-like and ghostly.
Farther out, and somewhat to the left
q yellow lantern. perhaps in the bow
Of a guardboat, bobbed about, zig-zag-
ging here and there like some cratic
star. It was some time before could
locate with any certainty the partic-
ular vessel sought. The harbor was
Uttered with sea craft of every de-
scription, and my knowledge regarding
1 the Esmera1da was most meager, be-
ing merely her point Of anchorage, and
that she was large steam-yacht.
schooner rugged.
Finally, into the focus of the leveled
glasses there crept indistinctly the
delicate tracery Of her bow, rendered
more plainly visible beneath the green
radiance Of her riding lamp: Lights
were showing family through several
portfolios anaidships, certain proof that
she was not entirely deserted; yet
the cabins aft were dark, and the only
moving figure could distinguish with
certainty was slowly pacing back and
forth along the lee rail Of the poop.
Suddenly, out from the enveloping
smudge, came shower of sparks
and red glare, and, a moment later,
I traced the outlines Of steam launch
cleaving the black water. 1t quickly
vanished behind the fog wreaths hang
ing to seward, the faint sound Of it's
churning dying away. leaving the ST.
lent loneliness behind more solemnly
impressive than ever. Only from off
the land came echoing the noises of
men-the loud yivas. the reiterated
boom of explosives, the ceaseless
blare Of bands.
The scene became oppressive in its
barrenness, and 1 felt the need of
movement to overcome its weakening
effect upon the nerves. This was to
be night of action, not of dreams, SO
I CROPPED my uncertain path back
along the Uttered wharf and around
the curve of the shore line, beneath
the gloomy shadows of coal sheds. OF
lights there were comparatively none.
| If except the uncertain glimmer of
rockets along the waters surface, and
I was consequently compelled to feel
my way from object to object like a
blinded man. Still, the course was
sufficiently familiar SO that / success
fully maintained both footing and d.
rection, finally emerging safely close
beside the spot appointed for our rem
devious. There was considerable open
space here, the Mercantile Company's
sheds standing some 80 feet back OF
the shore line. and their wharf for
the unloading Of barges extending
more than SO feet out into the harbor
/ could dimly perceive great crane
at the farther extremity, with dan.
Cling buckets, outlined against the
sky. The night was too dark for me
to decipher the face of my watch, yet
Il could mt NOW he long before the
arrival Of the men. I crouched down
beside post to await their coming
once again searching the harbor with
my nightglasses.
The company at last arrived by twos
from out the enveloping gloom. silent
ly grouping themselves amid the shad
ows. could distinguish an occasional
grun cough, and the shufi1ing of feet
but there was no sound of converse
ton or hilarity. Evidently De Novs
had sufficiently sobered them to thei,
duty. At last one man detached
himself from among the CROWD
and moved stealthily forward. I me,
him at the shore end Of the wharf
peered into his face, half.concealet
beneath the visor of his cap, until
recognized the fellow.
"Crew all here, Mr.. Tuttle?"
"Yes, sir" he answered, startled b,
my sudden appearance into courteou.