Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-10-26


The haze had gone entirely and the shone
clear-a low sun for it was getting late in the after
noon ManniN sezed chance to count the fleet.
One other was gone besides the krcmlin, and two
others looked il they had long remain
ahoat. Hope essly shot through these two were, and
through the holes near the water line the
pushing
As Mannix looked he saw a Russian destroyer
range alongside the flagship lie guessed they were
taking off the body OF the admiral the limp body
was hand led with such extreme care There
sea on but the long oily roll broke against the
little destroyer, now high up, and again let her sag
away down. She looked. that once imposing battle
ship. like an old tramp steamer that had been lying
for years on some beach till somebody happened to
remember that she would make good target for
the fleet at target practice And 50 they had taken
her out and shot her up. Mannix marveed that she
still a1Oat.
At this point the duke cried out Mannix turned ,
his head The Russian was struggling to lift himself :
to his elbow to the flagship more clearly "A =
pty-a brave man. our admiral" he said after
moment Of observation, and then Mannix thought
he heard him sob.
Mannix could count dozens Of small pieces of
wreckage. Floating in the water, clingng precar-
ously to these bits OF wrcckaEe, few surviv- y
ing sailors of the sunken ships As they labored
and struggled to get the destroyer OF the enemy
came tearing by Her swash washed several OF them
into the sea. Most of the destroyers crew seemed
to be on deck, on their faces triumphant smiles.
One called out and leaning over the life line laughed
and pointed and then threw what looked like piece
of exploded shell at OF these swimming sailors.
1t did not strike the swimmer, who, looking
his shoulder and seeing whence it came hurriedly
a little fun with him, for they close to him.
If trying to how close they could come without
actually running over him Mannix happened 70 re-
member then: Why this was the dukes man. Ivan.
His revolver lay the table beside the duke. He
took it up, thinking to shoot of them, but the
destroyer steaming perhaps twenty-five knots
an hour and making rapid turn she end
and out OF range. In the middle of the swirl under
her quarter as she turned was the Russian sailor.
Mannx thought he was gone, but he tough
one, and when the destroyer and her grinning crew
had passed on he bobbed up
Come here" ordered Mannix He came up hand
over hand WAS it not true, what l told Your
Excellency, that l could swim WE'LL" he said snil-
nely
They reached one of the drifting boats Ivan
lifted in his master and then helped Mannx, after
which there came dull explosion
Your Exccilency~the Boyodino" Mannix saw #,
and the sight made him think OF death-stricker
whale Heavily, slowly rolling from one side to
the other, she went. And then soemnly, completely
over and forever from sight
Mannix heard the sound of screw behind him.
1t was the Japanese destroyer again. voice
hailed. but he made answer. She drew up and
stopped her engines not fifty feet away An officer
was sitting on camp chair on the side nearest to
them. One elbow rested on the top life line, and
in the hand OF that arm, between two fingers, he
held cigar. His other elbow rested on his knee
and that hand supported his chin The very way he
held the cigar and stared, it was unbearaby nsolent.
Not word did he say. Just stared at the ship
wrecked group. Mannix thought he smiled: Beast"
said the duke and, raising himself on his thwart,
returned with an even more inso!cnt expression his
enemys stare The two remained staring across So,
muster. Suddenly the Jap called out something.
short sharp and in Russian Mannx could not get
what it was.
OH cried the sailor-"Oh--to Your Grace" and
The Jap slowly placed his cigar between his lips
and pulled, blew the smoke toward them and smiled
Maunx could just that smile in the gloom.
"Pardon,' said the duke and, taking Mannixs re-
volver, fired
up for an instant Then his body took forward
urch, sagged the lie line half to the deck, and