Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-03-03
CHAPTER XVI.

smoke, dimming the the azure with q
tiny stain.
CHAPTER XVI.
John Mort.
|f~1 HE was apparently coming up
I'M at great speed; the smoke
swelled in volume; two smoke
~ stacks became discernible; no.
there were three! By George. there
were four, in towering, stupendous,
black vomiting line-a giant Of ves-
sci, with fighting tops to her squat
masts and turrets, sponsors and guns
showing above the glistening white Of
her bow. A man-of-war, q colossus Of
twelve or fourteen thousand tons, able
at reduced speed to encircle the globe
and return whence she had started
with coal still to spare in her Brob-
dingnagian bunkers.
| Matt watched her with parted lips
and straining, fascinated eyes. Was 1t
she, then, who mad called up the Es-
meralda night after night? 1t was no
chance meeting assuredly, but prear-
ranged tryst in the waste Of the limit
less sea. Many government Of i'm
portance had not the peer Of this mag
nifcent vessel that was racing toward
them under forced draught and with
all the power Of her mighty engines.
AS she drew nearer, sparkling with
white and steel, she offered spec
tacle that stirred the heart. The water
flashed at her stem as she cut It asun-
der and tossed 1t aside in a rainbow
| spsay; her decks rose, tier upon tier,
alive with men; her long, slender guns
protruding from the ports were backed
with human faces; on the lofty bridge
were two officers In uniform, the one
standing motionless beside the steers
man, the other pacing two and fro,
occasionally stopping to use his glass.
Suddenly the throb Of her engines
ceased and she was gliding toward the
whaleboat under no other impetus but
her vast bulk. Shrill whistles sounded,
white clothed sailors were seen run
ming, and as II by magic the starboard
gangway was lowered, its base churn-
Ing the water or rising high above 1t
as the ship rolled in the seaway. At the
head Of the gangway. as the boat was
cast of and all the survivors OF the
schooner crowded up, Brandeis. Krantz,
Schwartz and Chris were met by burly
officer, who grinned affably and shook
each one Of them by the hand. AS
Matt and Chris passed to the quarter
deck beyond the former raised his cap
to a group Of officers, who returned
the salute with naval stiffness. 1t
was a moment Of some embarrass-
ment-to stand there with no home
under the sun save that strange deck
and to know they were dependent on
the charity Of those disdainful OBJ
servers, who gave no sign Of welcom-
Ing them.
But an instant later they were ac-
costed by young man, also in uni
form, who, advancing ,hurriedly. bow
ed and in broken English said, "Beg
pardon, instructed by captain. follow
me, please be so kind"
Guiding them down the stairway to
the decl- beneath, he led them along
o passageway to cabin, Into which
he ushered them with this concluding
statement: INSTRUCTED by captain, you
are here to remain, please be 80 kind"
With that he saluted, clicked his heels
with Teutonic formalIty and departed
presumably INSTRUCTED by captain"
to report their incarceration.
It was without doubt an officers
cabin and was prettily decorated with
photographs. fans, shells. cotillon ia
vors and other trifling mementoes. The
pair, thus oddly imprisoned in 1t, felt
a lessening Of their tremors and laugh
ed at the sight Of themselves in the
glass.
"They ought to be afraid Of u.s. ex-
claimed Chris with saucy confidence,
twining her arms about Matt's neck
and studying the effect. II look like
the widow Of an organ grinder on the
bread line, and by the time I've comb
ed your hair bit you might pass as a
Siberian exile who had escaped in a
garbage can"
The young officer returned and stood
blinking ut them ceremonlously in the
doorway.
INSTRUCTED by captain, your pres
ence is requested. please be so kind"
he said, addressing Matt. AS Chris
rose also she was told to stay behind.
Instructed by captain: no. no;
please be so kind" exclaimed the
young officer. barring her away. "In-
structed by captain. The gentleman
only will follow me. Please be 30
kind"
1t was not without hesitation that
Matt obeyed. He felt certain chill.
Ing. of the confidence that had ami
mated him before. The young officers
tone was masterful In spite Of the
punctiliousness of his words and car;
ried with 1t disquieting authority.
The young man led him through va
rious passages and finally brought him
to what was evidently the ships
wardroom. Here. seated about the
head Of the table, were FIVE oldlsh.
grave looking officers in undress uni
form. One. white haired, digniied
and somewhat bald. wore the insignia
Of rear admiral. .',
"Good day." he said curtly in fair
English, motioning Matt to come near
er and dismissing his companion with
a wave Of the hand. I'VE would like
to talk with you. SIR"
'".'m at your service" returned
Matt, advancing and drawing himself
up very straight. as no, offer was made
to give him seat. MAY I take the
liberty of asking the name Of this ship