The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-10-06

sounds without. "Sacre, l wonder
wat re devil was up now!"
We both sat, breathing hard from
our late exertions, listening anxiously,
yet with vastly differing emotions,
hope animating me that this was to
prove a capture, or, at least, that some
chance discovery by the officer visit
ing us would result in the release of
the women below. But De Nova was
in an agony of apprehension, the full
peril of his position clear before him.
We heard the bare feet of the hurry
ing sailors patter along the deck, the
strident voice of Tuttle issuing a few
final commands, and the faint sound
of oars in the water alongside. The
officer came slowly up the ladder, and
my heart sank as l heard him laugh
carelessly to the mates greeting.
could distinguish the sound of his
voice, but not the words uttered, and
in some way it impressed me with the
thought that the fellow was young, a
midshipman, possibly, who would
prove mere putty under Tuttle's ex-
pert handling. The two went down
the companion-steps together in ap-
parently amiable conversation, and
we could heard the low murmur of
voices as the crew hung over the rail
jesting with the memo wars men in
the boat below. My eyes met De
Nova's in the semi-darkness, and he
grinned, showing his teeth.
Messing YER dangerous, monsieur"
he said, easily. "Ze OIL fox he fool
Eat kid"
l attempted no response, my mind al
ready sufficiently heavy from appre-
hension. Oh, for just a word, merely
an opportunity to cry out our story be-
fore it was forever too late! De Nova
must have felt the struggle within me,
for he stretched his legs across the
narrow passage leading to the door,
and l saw his hand thrust into his
coat pocket. Underneath his genial ve-
neer he was one to act upon occasion,
absolutely careless of the result. So
waited in silence, my teeth set hard,
my hands clenched, as the last yes.
tige of hope ooZed slowly out of me.
They were scarcely ten minutes be-
low coming up chatting in rare good
fellowship, the officer clinging to the
rail- his feet on the ladder, while he
completed some story he had been
relating with much gusto Then we
heard plainly the dip of oars, growing
gradually fainter in the distance, feet
hn Ino1y DIa FTtrAt1ntct
voice sounded from the bridge, and
the vessel began throbbing to the
steady chug of the screws. We were
safely under way again, pressing our
sharp bow into the fog bank. Unable
to control my weakness, l buried my
face in my hands.
! do not know how long we sat there
motionless, De Nova staring blankly
at the vapor sweeping past the win
dow, and l with head lowered in de-
preston. 1t was Tuttle himself, with
one arm in an improvised sling, who
slid open the door Of the charthouse
and looked in upon us.
This is your watch yet, De Nova, +"
he said, shortly, and / need to doctor
up my arm bit. You're a dam hard
hitter, Mr.. Stephens" no trace of an
ger in his voice, but that's about the
last chance you'll have to kick up a
shindy on this vessel. You'll go below,
sir, an stay there, unless we happen
to need you"
/ stepped forth onto the open deck
in obedience to his gesture.
Then | am no longer even in pre-
tended command, but merely your
prisoner"
Call it whatever suits you best"
he returned, grimly. "The result will
be the same in any case Wen, De
Nova, what are you waitin for?'
4 sink maybe you say wat was It
ge navy man wantedg'
Tuttle's solemn oountenance broke
Into the semblance Of Q grin,