The Columbus journal., 1910-01-19

tant, smudge of shadow uplifted, and
/ became conscious of a pailid human
face cleaning family through the
dark Instantly l leaped toward it.
with such force as to send the heavily
laden boa. Swirling forward, the heav-
ing men plunsing face downward into
the water There was a startled ex-
clamation in Spanish, shOrt-arm
blow shot into a dimly revealed, half
familiar face, a 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" I 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
tious strokes. We discovered the
smudge which represented Tuttle's
whaleboat, and drew up within an
oars length of where he lay waiting.
Mr.. Tuttle," l began, speaking
slowly and concisely so that the men
in both boats could hear. this is going
to be no boys play tonight, and l ex-
pect implicit obedience to my orders.
Do exactly what l tell you and no
more You know the situation of the
Esmeralda. and want you to put your
whaleboat in under her bow. II you
keep a point east of north you can
scarcely miss it. There is a Jumping
big brigantine anchored 100 feet be-
yond, with only single light showing
on her foremost If you come up un-
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 forecaStle scuttle. and
make straight for the engine room.
That will comprise the entire duty OF
it be accomplished silently. Don't per-
nit one of your men to carry a loaded
firearm. Use Delaying pins. If you
need to. or a 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 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. l could distinguish them
leaning eagerly forward. but the faces
were undecipherable in the gloom.
You understand clearly?"
CAY, 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; we'll give you
plenty Of time to get in. Good-by. and
good luck to YOU"
The balanced oars dipped gently
into the water. scarcely ripping it.
and the sharp-stemmed whaleboat
slided away into the surrounding
blacknesS like a ghost
''All right now, De Nova" l whis- |
pered. I'll go forward into the bow.
Keep her head off about a point and
watch out for signals"
We slipped through the water ST. |
lently, the sound of the dipping car.
blades little more audible than the |
Of
Confident that if any eyes were watch
ing from the deck they were not like |
ly to be directed astern. We made wide
detour. creeping cautiously in beneath |
the slight bulge of the yachts side, |
until the fellow behind me fastened
his boatLook firmly into the after.
chains. Breathlessly We waited |
listening. but no sound reached us
other than the slight hiss of escaping
steam.
Hold hard," whispered, the word
passing back from man to man. 1.-TWO
remain with the boat, the rest follow
me-"
l crept silently up into the chains
and peered cautiously over onto the
open deck. 1t was wrapped in dark.
ness and silence. the sole CLEAN OF
light coming from out tho
open main-hatch, and that only the
glimmer slightly Illuminating
he ship amidships. There was lamp
llight in the after-cabin, but the
shades were drawn so closely l could
perceive its presence. l be.
anne aware that De Nova stood be.
tide me.
CTo BE CONTINUED)