The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-12-15

| her rig. darted after her. and | saw
several shots 6red. but evidently with
out effect. and the Chameleon. sud
| denly changing her ascent TO a hori
zontal course, rushed away with amaz
ing speed while the Skylark continued
10 chase Lsr. The other three moved
confusediy about. and shouted to tn,
Osprey to drop down by us.
Here" ! said to Lieutenant Osborn
her commander. take charge of tn,
Eagle ard beach her I'll take the Os
prey with my crew, aud you can trans
fer yours to the Eagle. Quick. now!
The transfer was effected in less
than five minutes, and Immediately
rose out of the shadow of the trees
commanding the Crow and the Bobo
link to follow me at full speed. Mr.
Grayman and the secretary, of course
accompanie me aboard the Osprey. II
was a desperate move, but the only
thing to be done. as the Eagle had
become utterly unmanageable.
When we had attained a considera'
BILE elevation we caught sight Of the
chase far of to the north. the heav-
ems yet retaining a twilight glow. The
Skylark was far in the rear, but keep
ing nobly at her work and occasional.
~ firing a gun. to which there was no
response.
The revenue fiers were all built on
the same general plan. so that | ran
.;., ~ IN; ~,
for my men in transferring them.
wanted my own crew because | knew
every man of them like a book. and
particularly wanted Ethan and the
engineer. l should have liked to give
Ethan his own gun. but. of course,
when every second was precious. no
transfer of armament could be thought
of. AS soon as the chase was located
| ordered top speed and then took Mr.
Grayman and the secretary into the
cabin for consultation. They were
greatly cast down by the unfortunate
turn that the affair had taken. partic-
ularly the Millionaire, who fairly groan-
ed:
Hes run of with Helen. and now
he'll kill her. Oh. why did we under
take this?"
Mr. Grantham evidently felt that the
responsibility rested on him. and he
showed no disposition to shirk it. Nei-
Their was he altogether discouraged.
and he started to inspirit his friend
Gentlemen" said respectfully.
pardon me for saying that we have
no time now for talk of this kind. II
is not for that that | invited you into
the cabin. Mr.. Grantham. you have
done me the honor to put me in COM
time forth | must be unhampered
wanted to ask you. Mr.. Secretary. II
you would be willing to leave me in
absolute control | have hitherto felt
that | ought to consult you in critical
moments. | do not want To do that
in the future. Our only chance is in
having a single responsible commander
and no divided counSelS."
You are entirely right" exclaimed
the secretary. 81 believe it's my fault
that PaytOn got off. From this mo-
ment you are in absolute control III
simply be spectator"
Mr.. Grayman said nothing. and ]
was greatly gratifed.
! went Immediately on deck. the 9th.
ers following. | was delighted to per.
ceive that the Chameleon was still Wis.
ible, though dim in the distance, with
the Skylark doggedly churning after
her and yet firing from time to time
Close behind us rushed the Crow and
the Bobolink. visited the engineer.
"Jim. do you know the Osprey's mo-
torsT' l asked
I've been aboard her often" he said,
land know her whole makeup pretty
WE'LL" -
What Is her best speed"
"Jack"-the regular engineer Of the
Osprey-"often told me he had made
100 miles,"
"See If you can't work 1t up to
hundred and forty"
81 don't believe it's possible" replied
Jim. but I'll bust her If you say So"
II don't say bust her, but say see
what is the very best that's in her."
"Oh, If only had the Eaglev he re-
sponded.
mo use wishing for what you can't
have. Now go at it and make her
spin"
The Osprey certainly had never been
made to reveal her full powers before.
In ten minutes | was surprised mt the
speed we were making. The sharp,
steady swish of the aeroplanes as we
cut the air was inspiring to listen to-
The wind Of our passage struck us in
gusts from right and left and made us
cling to the supports.
By this time the moon. approaching
Its last quarter. had well risen and
added her silvery glimmer to the twi-
light glow. enabling US more clearly to
make out the chase with our glasses.
We were dropping the Crow and the
Bobolink, and signaled them to do
better. but evidently they were al.
ready doing their best for they had
not my engineer. and gradually they
fell farther astern. Then I signaled
them to by no means lose sight Of US,
and on we went
ON.-