Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1913-12-26
CHAPTER W.-Continued.

At two o'clock the Gnat was just
making a wide turn at the end of the
slip, preparatory to proceeding up the
line, when Holton saw against the
blaCkness a deeper Understanding
that seemed to move.
1t was out in the bay, perhaps two
hundred yards. AS he lowered his
head, straining his eyes into the sable
curtain, he found he had lost whatever
he had seen.
Perhaps his imagination had played
him false. But no, that could not be,
for in his first glance he remembered
that some stars on the horizon had
been blotted out by the object. That
Certainly was suggestive Of its tangi-
bllity.
Holton went to the little bridge,
and, pointing out the spot where he
had last seen the moving blot on the
night, ordered the Gnat to head in that
direction at half-speed.
For five minutes the little craft pro-
ceeded out into the bay, and then sud-
denly HOlton made out clearly the out
lines of a small tugboat with a skiff
In tow
.Heave to, or I'll fire." cried Hol-
ton.
Still no reply, but the propeller Of
the tug could be heard churning the
water in excess speed.
Without further word, Holton snatch
ed the rifle from the sailors hand, took
quick aim, and let dive. AS a response,
there came five shots in rapid success
sion from the tug, the bullets rafting
through the Gnat's funnel and venti-
lators.
Full speed ahead" cried Holton, in
full eXaltatiOn at hearing for the first
time the whistle of bullets discharged
in anger Right into her" he added
forgetful of his boats tin bow run
her down."
When within hundred feet the
Gnat sheered off, made a detour, and
rounded to in front of the tugs bow.
Stop" yelled Holton, leyeling the
rife Stand by that machine gun,
ne added in a low tone to the man at
his side.
The tug stopped abruptly, but not a
sound came from her.
What beat is that" called Holton
No reply.
AS the bow OF the torpedo boat
rasped against the feeders of the
stranger, Holton, his pistol in hand
leaped over her guards to the deck
Three of his men followed
Then, as though by magic, shadowy
forms arose. A dark figure moved
swiftly at Holton'6 side, and as his re
volyer blazed in the mans face. he
felt the sharp impact of a weighted
club upon his shoulder
Another man seized him from be
hind, and in an instant the deck was
the scene Of wild hand-to-hand fight
HoltOn feled his foe with a revolver
and then turned to the assistance oil
one of his seamen, beset by two men
Rev0lvers we're banging on all sides
wildly as it appeared to HoltOn, for he
caught feeting gIimpses of his three
men fighting as American sailOrmer
can
In flash of light Holton saw a man
bending at the stern. In his hand was
the match whence the flash had come
The officer darted swiftly toward him
He saw g sputter Of sparks. Quick as
thought he turned.
Men of the Gnat, overheard" he
roared. Dynamite
Suiting action to his words, he divec
swiftly into the dark waters, and the
next instant the Port Of Tampa was
startled by an explosion which shat
tered the windows of the hotel and
brought thousands rushing out into the
0ight.
HOltons first thought, as soon as his
head emerged above the water, was tc
make aQve of his position. which for