Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-01-30

manned Dy crew OF rusty rdAAOAS anu
in the stern sat an officer in the uni
form Of German naval captain. We
drew alongside and opened our deck.
He stepped aboard.
! Lieutent Won Beeman sprang to his
side and began to pour out the story
Of our attempt The captains brows
contracted as he listened; incredulous
at first, he grew more and more i'm
passive and cold. At last he turned
to Nikolai
What have you to say?" he asked.
1T is true" said my companion.
What are you going to DOR
The captain spoke more colby,
more formally than before. Nicolaf
turned to me.
He says that he intends to hang
us at his yard-arm before breakfast"
he explained.
looked around me desperately.
Dawn was already flushing the east.
the stars we're paling, and, on the port
bow, outlined against the saffron
sky, was the long Toast line Of Eng
land.
He cannot hang spies-even If we
are spies-in peace time" / muttered.
1T Is against the CODE
Nikolai translated, but the captain
did not deign to notice me. Tt was
the lieutenant who interposed.
"As for that fellow" he said, point
ing to me, let him hang If you pre-
fer, captain But not this other. who
is evidently high officer in the Eng
lish service. Curse him." he shrek
ed, losing his self-control again. He
insulted me In the streets Of Kiel. He
called me sleeps head-and was
in uniform"
Calls head, not Sleeps head"
Nikolai interposed
Il demand satisfaction" shouted
Won Beeman.
81 am afraid, lieutenant" said the
captain. that the honor Of Germany
must take precedence OF yours"
IF 1t will be any satisfaction" said
Nikolai, II am no officer. / am an I'M
official spy in nobody's service but
my own"
rs that true?" cried Won Beeman
with apparent eagerness, staring at
Nikolai My comrade nodded. The
lieutenant leaped forward with cry
of triumph.
1T is true" he exclaimed. Il ques-
toned his veracity, and he showed no
resentment. An officer does not lie.
He is no officer. Well, do you wish
my evidence, sir, at the court-mar-
tial?"
srr1. -. --,aII ~ - 49,, ~ ~, n r+ioI
lieutenant" the captain answered.
They will be hanged Immediately. Lie
/, to until you see them at the yard
arm; then return to Kiel and report
yourself to the commandant Of the
port And now unite those fell
lows"
At the word from Won Beeman the
sailors began to free US from our
bonds. Meanwhile the German cap
tain moved leisurely about the subma-
rine, examining the mechanism with
professional interest. When we were
free he signed to us to precede him
into the boat. We took our places
and the sailors began to row US back
to the man of war. It was almost
light now. Behind us the submarine
tossed heavily upon the waves Look
ing backward, could see Won Beeman
standing amidship, gazing implacably
after us. Then Nikolai nudged me
and pointed furtively to the German
captain.
He was beaming upon us, and In
his expression there was something
as near a wink as imagine the naval
regulations would allow. While
watched him, amazed, | heard one
OF the sailors, who had missed his
stroke with the oar, utter a hearty
curse in purest English.
But we were at the ships side and
ascending the ladder before l could
draw the necessary differences from
what I had seen. The captain walk
ed forward toward his quarters, sign
ing to us to follow him. Present.,
we were alone with him in his cab
in. Then he turned on Nikolai alb
ruptly.
well done, sir" he said heartily
II shall report your courageous &C
tion to the admiralty. Not only have
you performed an act unparalleled il
the history of the feet, but you afford
ed me an opportunity to discover thu
complete secret of the mechanism o
the new submarine"
with your permission, sir, vii
explain matters to my friend" sail
Nikolai, turning to me. But alread!
the whole affair had become clear tt
me. 1t was an English battleship, and
by the ruse of the German flag. tt
captain had discovered the secre
which England had wanted SO badly
we were in friendly hands.
did you fulfill this mission by tn,
direct suggestion of the admiralty 2
the captain asked.
mo, sir" said Nikolai. 1T was gu
own enterprise, and we trusted to thu
generosity of the English nation T.
reward us adequately
The captain started.
"What?" he cried. Does nobody II
4 England know that you embarket
upon this perilous adventure?"
h Nobody but yourself and your men
+" sir" Nikolai answered.
J. The captains manner changed Il
|, a way comical to see.
well, my men" he said, you hav
It had a fortunate escape. Now l tel
T. YOU what / shall do. In five miR0sen
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