The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-19

Chops feet, the outgoing tide ripped and
tore the rocks that blocked it's exit TO
the sea. But nowhere showed the sail
Of the tiny boat that had so lately led
tho way.
CHAPTER TX.
THE surprised silence that fell on the
crew Of the Chop Chop, when they
realized that the sneak box had dis
appeared, was broken by the irrcpress-
IDLE Asshc. Button! Button." he burst
out, with yell Of laughter. Who's got
the but,on?-By George! I'll bet one ? of
Ncsbit's water witches grabbed It, Hold
on thought Water witches don't need
buttons. according to all accounts
That's a Joke, but It's a darned bad
one"
Nobody answered. Blake was busy
directing the movements Of the yacht,
which was still some distance from the
end of the reef where he could star
board his helm and stand westward into
the bay; and Spotswood and Ncsbit had.
OF course, almost instantly realized that
the sneak box must have run into one
of the many inlets shown BY the map as
opening out Of the Boca. OF course, she
must have moved with surprising speed
TO get into hiding before the Chop Chop
came into view but equally Of course
she must have somehow managed to do
so No other explanation seemed pos
siblc.
The channel opened out a bit and the
speed Of the yacht increased The pro-
Jecting reef dipped beneath the water.
though its position remained evident
from the rip Of the outgoing tide as it
crossed 1t. Blake pointed at it,
It's lucky for that cookie shell that
it's near slack water" he declared IF
the tide vas making. it would carry
OF all hell. It'll be dark in minute,
Mr.. Spotswood. How high up the bav
do you want to run?"
II doesn't matter much, think cap
tain Run as far in as you think best
and then anchor for the night"
AS the Chop Chop rounded the reef
end the sun dropped out of sight and
with its going the Boca suddenly dark
ened. The mountain sides rose black
and precipitous on either hand. Above,
in the dimming sky. the ghost Of the
moon gained strength.
swiftly - with the swiftness Gus
tomary 10 the tropics--the night de-
scended. For perhaps ten minutes the
Chop Chop ran up the bay. both leads
gong then the engine bells changed and
the propeller stopped. AN instant later
the sullen plunge OF the anchor and the
rattle OF the chain through the hawsc-
pipe told that the first stage Of the trip
was over
Blake turned to spotswood. ANY
orders. sir?" he questioned.
Spotswood shook his head Nothing
just now, | believe. Captain" he an
SWered. Later. perhaps"
No. now" Nesbit's voice. strained
and high. broke in. Nov! Now.
want to talk now. l want to know what
YOU people are going 10 do"
Spotswood looked at Blake, and then
at the Engl!shman. do about what old
man." he questioned
about what? Don't play with me,
Spotswood. or you'll be sorry for it.
You know about what! About those
scoundrcls who are trying to rob u.s.
oh! About them! All right Nesbit,
if You really want to talk things over
now. We'll do it. But let's get aft first.
can you come now. captain?"
Certainly. sir"
S,potswood led the way aft The moon
mad swiftly frightened into plump
yellow ball that made the decks almost
as as bright. as day. 1t hung high above
the north Of the entrance cleaning
along the black slow heaving water.
Asshe was stridng up and down, cigar
IN mouth. AS the others approached he
tossed it overheard. Spotswood noticed
that half of it was chcwed to a pulp,
and guessed that the stock-cXchange
man was more apt3 ted than hn y,.o of