The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1911-02-02
I judged, Upon our port bow, q light
flashed out brilliantly above q sleeping

I judged, upon our port bow, q light
flashed out brilliantly above q sleeping
ocean.
Plainly directed by a skillful hand, ]
said that a trained officer worked the
lantern as they worked 1t on board a
man-of-war; but as though to deny
hat the unknown ship was a manor
war, the monster searchlight began
anon to answer as though to a danc-
ing, drunken measure of some hand
that wearied Of duty and made a jest
Of it.
I'VE are carrying no lights our
selves, Larry?" I exclaimed, and add
ed, apologetically, THAT goes without
saying"
DO you think we dare run up to
her, Larry?"
There would be little risk when they
got tired of their fireworks, doctor"
Well do it, Larry. Don't forget
Joan Fordibras is aboard there.
He nodded significantly, and rang
down his orders to the engine room. [
perceived that McShanus had come up
from the saloon; he did not speak to
me, as he told me afterwards. under
the ridiculous apprehension which
comes to men in danger that any
speech above a whisper is a peril. The
clash OF our engines remained the only
sound. I turned to Timothy and as
tonished him by my greeting.
"A steady hand now-is it that,
Timothy?"
Take a grip of it yourself, mo
bhoy?"
1T certainly is not the cold land Of
the poets. Would it help with the ma
chine guns if need be, Timothy.
whist, could it not, Are We not
speaking over loud, doctor, me bhoy?"
"Oh, come, you thin they can henr
us five miles away, Timothy? Shout,
IL you like, old boy. | hope to God
there will be silence enough by and
by. We are going to have a o at
them, Timothy. TITS to learn the color
OF their coats, as you would say"
Y are not going within shot of
their guns?"
Timothy I said, speaking now IN
that low tone he had desired, 81 am
going to earn how it fares with Joan
Fordibras." I,
"Ah, bad cess to IT, when a woman
holds the lantern, there goes Jack the
Giant-killer. Twill help her to be
sunk, Fan"
IT do not think they will sink US,
Timothy
God be good to me. I'm no better
than a coward this night. What was
it I said?"
That you Were quite of my opinion,
Timothy"
We laughed together, and then fell
to silence.
So we crept on, mile by mile. Every
eye aboard the White Wings watched|
that resting searehlight as though It'll
ers, and would of itself warn the
rogue's crew. / don't think we believed
for an instant in the good fortune
which ollowed us. 1t seemed incredible
that they should not keep a better
lookout, and yet the fact so stands.s
The resting beam of light in the sky
was our goal. We drew Upon it mo-
ment by moment as to some gate Of
destiny which should tell a story fruit
full beyond any we had heard. And
still the Diamond Ship did not awake.
Suddenly, vast, monstrous, blazing,
the fearful eye Of light of the Diamond
Ships searchlight focused upon US fort
a terrible instant, and then swept, the
whole circle of the sea with its blind
ing beams. Twice, thrice, it went
standing still almost as it
approached us, leaping again as it
passed onward. Then, as surprisingly,
remained fixed upon the farther Side
instant, far away to the northwest, a
crimson rocket cleaved the black
Of the night, and g shower CT
gold-red balls burst hoveringly above
the desert waters.
What do you make Of that, Larry?"
Not a signal from any common ship,
We don't use that kind of rocket.r
tbs the fourth Of July, bedad, or
the Crystal Palace that's fying!" cried
Timothy.
Larry" said l. that's on of their
I rather fancy a man of thee
name of Colin Ross is aboard her. If|
SO. Imroth is to receive some shocks."
II wish to heaven they came by way
Of a seaman's arm, sir. Yes, it's as you'll
say. Yon is a steamer, and here goesI
the answering rocket
He pointed to the sky above the Dia-
.nond Ship, ablaze with a spray of
green radiance, the answeringl
our own escape now became quite
lear to me. The lookouts over yonderi
-esp!ea the lights OF rr.fi.rI
and had used the s%earchIight
o signal her. The great arcs, the
,ircling beams, were but those pre-
lminary movements with which every
operator tries the lantern he is about
% use. No eye had followed their
lureole, I made sure W. had escaped
simply because every mani
lbourd yonder vessel had been looking
1t the incoming steamer, bearing from
Europe news which might be Of such
moment.
Larry" I said, jumping at the idea
# 1t. its now or never. Let her 20
while they are at The parley. iii stake |
life on it there is no lookout toll
;tarboard. Let's have a look at them
they least expect u.s."
DO you mean to say sir. that you1l1
.isk TT"
There is no risk, Larry-if you don't
Il do believe you are right, sir. Here's!
or 1t anyway, and luck go with us!rf
Continued Next week.)