The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-02-15

And, indeed, Providence contrived
things very differently.
BY nightfall the launch was a hun
dred miles west Of the island. Norr.e
got eight krots out Of her, but It need
ed no special calculation to discover
that she would barely make the coast
OF Brazil If she consumed every ounce
OF coal and wood on board. Were II
not for Hozier's foresight she would
have been drifting with the gulf
stream four hours after leaving the Is
land. AS 1t was, unless they received
fresh supply Of fuel from another
ship. they must unquestionably take
the straightest line to the mainland.
During the day they had sighted
three vessels, but at such distances
that signaling was useless. Moreover,
they had to be cautious. The cruiser.
trusting to her speed. might try a long
cast north and south Of the launch's
supposed path. The hours Of daylight
were tortured by constant fear. Even
Iris was glad when the darkness came
and they were hidden.
At 4 o'clock In the morning, By
general reckoning, they were midway
between island and continent. They
were all wide awake, too weary and
miserable to sleep. Suddenly q fog
horn smote the oppressive gloom. 1t
drew near. A huge blotch crossed
their bows. They heard some order
given In a foreign language, and De
Sylvia whispered:
The Sac Geronimo! The cruiser
In little while, perhaps twenty
minutes, they heard another siren. 1t
sounded a different note, a quantity
harsh blend OF discords. Whatsoever
ship this might be, 1t was not the Sac
Geronimo.
Cokes gruff voice reached every ear:
This time we're nabbed for keeps
unless you all do as bid you," he
said. When the fog lifts the cruiser
will see us. There's only one thing FOR
It. Somewhere, close In, Is a steamer
She's a tramp, by the wheeze Of 'cr
horn. We've got to board 'er an sink
the launch. If she's British or Amer
lean, o. X, as 'er people will stand
by US. If she's dago, we've got to
collar 'er, run every whelp into the
forehold an answer the cruisers sig
mails ourselves"
Hozier, who had contrived to dra,1
near Iris while Coke was speaking
breathed softly, 80 that none other
could hear;
"This Is rank piracy. But what else
can we doT
els 1t wrougT' she asked.
"Well-sno. provided we kill no ore.
We are justified In saving our own
lives, and the average German or
Italian shipmaster would hand us over
to the Brazilians without scruple."
Iris was far from Bootle and ia
moralities.
"l don't care what happens so long
as you are not hurt" she whispered.
"Mr. Hozier," said Coke thickly.
"Yes, SIR"
you've got good eyes an quick ears
Lay out as far forrard as you can AZ
pass the word for steerin'."
Hozier obeyed The discordant BILE Il
OF foghorn came again, apparently
right ahead. In a few seconds La
caught the napping Of propeller and
silenced the launch's engines.
"We are close in now," he said to
Coke after a brief and noiseless DRIFT.
"Nhy not try haili"
"Ship ahoy" shouted Coke, with all
the force Of brazen lungs.
The screw Of the unseen ship stop
ped. The sigh Of escaping stem
reached them.
"Holla! Wer ruff" was the gruI
answer.
"Sink me II II amt a German"
growled Coke soto voce. "Norrie, y1r
must stick here till l sing out to yor,
then open your exhaust an unscreyr
seacock. Wot ship is thati" he voc.t.
Grated aloud.
Some answer was forthcoming--wha
1t mattered not. The launch 'burpi'
into the rusty ribs of twelve hundred
ton tramp. \ rope ladder was lowerc g.
A round faced Teuton mate. fat alt
placid. was vastly surprised to lad .
horde Of nondescripts pouring up T.
oiliI' y sltc III the WUhc OF Il En,..
thick, bovine looking person who n,i.
ther understood nor tried to under.
stand word he was saying.
These extraordinary visitors fro.1
the deep brought with them a girl 0Td
three wounded men. BY this time t..
captain was aroused. He spoke socuc
English.
"Vas iss diss?" he asked. surveytrS
the newcomers with amazement and
their bizarre cos
tunes with grow NSSSA
Ing nervousness. A>&A
We're haf you IS
coomed vrom?" 0R@SNS&T@
Coke pushed &SHSsxr
him playfully into (T
the cooks gallery. ~ w GS.pI
''T his is too J &&S