The Washington times., 1910-06-02
CHAPTER V.
The Coming Of The Breeze.

- HE outbreak Of the boatswain and
the evident sympathy OF the crew
rendered the position Pf the
American ship doubIy precarious.
The men had fought well the first time.
What would they do IL they were called
upon for another desperate defense? He
questioned Mr.. Conant, who had joined
them, as to his opinion.
Fight! OF course. they'll fight" an
swered the mate, glooming over the sit
uation- Not because they love us or
care a whipstitch for this ship, but be-
cause they don't want to choose between
a British prison and a British ship.
Some of them have been on English
men-of-War and know what hellS they
are continued the New EnglanderY who
had the popular American idea of the
time Of the Revolution OF the British
ships, and which was. indeed. not with
out warrant.
The year was l7S3, and the long war
was drawing 70 a close. The independ-
ence Of the colonies was in sight but
that did not affect the status of the two
ships in the least degree. One was as
bent upon capture, and the other upon
escape. as If the war had but just
do you think they will attack us
again II the breeze doesn't hold2'" asked
Susan.
f1dIuANs IGluIntu LGL LdAAAC4
And they certainly wouldn't attack
Us during the day2" queried the girl.
I've should beat them on easily
What are they doing now2' inter
rupted the mate.
Susan turned and stared at the ship.
The youngest and keenest-eyed, she
made out distinctly what the others
only saw dimly.
They are getting boats overheard"
'.CertainIy. not to move against US"
exclaimed her father
They're going 10 tow, think" said
the mate.
''Susan. will you fetch me the glasS?'
When she handed IT 10 him ne focus
ed II on the bows of the other ship.
six boats fun Of men: l see no
arms" he said. Yes, they're towing"
He shut the glass with a snap.
Get out the boats, Mr.. Conant. Wen
do the same thing. There are four
British prisoners who could pull an
oar. Put them into the boat. Yes, and
bring up Francois. too, and let him
go with them Do you take command
of the boats yourself. Mr.. Conant."
Aye, aye" returned the mate.
But keep your wedther-eye lifting.
Don't let them get away"
They sha' escape me-" returned
the New Englander, going forward.
Presently the four QUarter-boats Of
the merchantmen We're swung over
by ony OF the British, who went very
unwillingly, coerced by the mates
threats and the ugly looks of the
Americans. IN the last boat, and pull
ing the stroke oar, right under the
mates eye. where. as Mr.. Conant said,
he could observe him and see that he
didn't shirk, sat Francois, a horrible
object, more hlIed, If possible, with
rage and hate than before.
Towing is terrible work. and the
small crew or the Hiram and Susan
were at a grave disadvantage in spite
of the small size of their ship as com
pared with the swarming num- bers
board the frigate. which after sew
eral hours of heart breaking work
was perceptibly nearer.
Relays OF fresh men relieved those
in the frigate's boats, while the Amer
leans had to keep on without any
cessation, and aware that when they
gave out there would be none to take
their places. Captain Hiram drove
them to the very last limit. Presently