Gloucester County Democrat., 1911-10-19

Here he ran the only serious risk OF
discovery during the entire maneuver
for if we had returned more promptly
we might have been just in time tn
opening between the clouds.
But we were too late. and while the
Osprey was dashing headlong on her
return through the large cloud the
Chameleon rounded the small one and
was of at full speed in exactly the
air clear of vapor than we looked
about with all eyes and were met by
the same disappointment. The Cha
meleon was not there!
Perhaps one of your shells found
him." suggested Mr.. Grantham. land
broke him up so that he has dropped
to the ground unperceived."
1t was startling possibility. and l
gave orders to drop down within 100
feet of the ground. Running back. we
began to use the utmost circumspec
ton in examining the surface beneath
us. It was mostly level and covered
with irregular growths Of trees and
brush, with interspaces of grassy land.
We may have spent half an hour in
this search when the penetrating eyes
of Ethan Haight discovered new sur
prise for us.
.'Lootenant. lootenant!" he called
out. There he is againr
glanced hastily at Ethan. He was
pointing south h-southwest, his hand
raised above the level of his eyes.
looked. and we all looked but could
see nothing. Still Ethan insisted:
"Jest ag'in thet cloud with head on
it It's him as sure as preachin'."
In few moments had the object
located. moving speck against the
cloud. and set out instantly in pursuit
/ could recall well enough the rela-
tive situation and dimensions of the
clouds to see that he had timed his
movements to mine. which he must
have foreseen with Napoleonfc pene-
tration. SO that his moments of enter
ing and leaving the clouds and of
crossing the interspaces would so fall
as. to keep him always concealed from
US behind a curtain of vapor. He must
have forecast with absolute assurance
our final dart backward. which simply
superadded our speed to his in widen
ing the distance between US.
1t was bitter dose for me. but
e,rryo or6 Tvod NV r,,i,,5
redoubled resolution upon the rescue
of Helen Grayman.
Mr.. Grantham noticed my chagrin
and kindly said:
= "No1 matter, Allan. He's yours vet
I caused you to waste half an hour by
my useless suggestion. Now go ahead
and l promise to be guilty of no more
stupid interference"
''It's not your fault at all, Mr. Gran.
tham," I replied warmly. ST should
have done what did if you had not
spoken"
The secretary gave me pressure OF
the hand. and / felt greatly encour
aged, for | knew | should have his
support however the thing turned out
So I visited Jim and melted him to
renewed efforts.
sect her up to hundred and forty
I said. s'We've another and last
chance"
"rll do it or bust her." he grimly re
Piled
We did go at an astonishing speed
and no long time elasped before ouI
gain was so great that told Ethan to
be ready.
''SheIls this time" | said. "We'l
not begin to fight until we are within
easy range. and l want you to peli
him without mercy. Only" added
"aim for the aeroplanes and save the
hull The Chameleon carries the rich
est girl in the world. and we've got
her father aboard here"
sI'm not a-goin' to tech hair o. her
head. lootenant," replied Ethan. with
I thought. knowing grin. 1--WE beer
to the show in my day. an know al
about Romeo an his Jooliett.'
felt my face burn and turned
away. This practical minded Yankee
evidently had his romantic side. too
and had penetrated secret of which
I did not dare to think myself.
do not believe that the Chameleon
was now making more than hundred
and thirty-five at the most. and in q
couple of hours we had her almost
within range. As we drew nearer
Payton evidently saw that the game
was up and that his only course was
to fight.
He ran up his black flag and dressed
his fiier from stem to stern in the
same color. thus stamping her silhou
ette with startling distinctness againsl
the rising clouds beyond and givine
her an aspect so fierce and menacins
that I saw some Of my men regarding
her and one another with doubtful
looks and shrugs.
7 called TO Him to pile on the speed