Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1915-11-12

from MN TINS minute.
Easily within that, excellency. The
stun comes awfully strong-they are
close. that IS sure"
Send the captain at once, ordered
the official.
The captain came and learned this
yacht was headed toward this call.
which came down out Of the stars inn
ploringly. urging speed
That was what the night called out
with its mysterious voice. The quick
Wit OK Count Frederick had avalled in
this emergency IN which he found him.
self lie knew that the Adclina would
be IN commission lie hoped that
someone might be found to take com
mand he knew that any aid which
came, must come soon.
The Adelina now swung in fun
speed. her engines purring softly in
continuous roll as she took up her top
gait. and held it steadily. Always the
call came, IS. O. S.-Gretzhomen--S
O. S.-Gretzhoffen." For. as a matter
Of fact. although left long since in
his own zen on the upper deck. the
operator OF the Princess had dutifully
done what he had been hidden TO do.
They plowed on into the starry
night for some time. Al length an ex-
clamation came from the captain to
the official who stood at his side on
the bridge.
Il see heri" said he Dead ahead.
and coming on at a good clip herself
Screaming bloody murder. Well, WELL
we will see in a couple of jifiies what
it is all about. She's not sinking
she's not on fire-whats wrong
there?"
Meantime, on board the Princess
such confusion reigned that at the
time none saw the swift approach Of
the Adelina. The owner OF the Prin-
cess was busy with his late pris-
oners. Count Frederick was once more
assailed when he attempted to leave
the wireless room-where, as has been
said, the operator still held to his task
wholly ignorant, naturally. that hts
call to Gretzhoffen had been answered
thus swiftly. Indeed, Frederick and
Kitty both found themselves in des-
perate plight enough. for one OF them
was outnumbered. and the other over.
powered.
But now there came the calling of
men on deck, and the rush of feet es
they ran here and there. Even Wynd
ham, engaged in his drunken sport OF
hectoring the weak girl VINO covered
helpless and terrified in his own room,
at length left her and came on deck
By this time Frederick had once
more broken free of the men who had
attacked him, and had himself reached
a place on deck whence he could see
the outline Of the oncoming boat, The
searchlight OF the Adelina swept the
decks OF the Princess. Back of it
could be seen little except the loom of
her rigging But now came the fash
OK shot and its plunge into the sea
dead ahead OF the Princess.
Good bless us!' exclaimed Wynd-
ham. almost sobered now at this.
They are firing on us-fring on the
British flag. It's not done, you know!"
But it is done, SIR said the ex-
ecutiye officer at his elbow, when a
second shot carried away part of the
bowsprit of the Princess. Round to,
or she will sink u.s.
They are damned pirates!" said
Wyndham. "I'll not have it,"
Pirates or not. sir" said the execu-
tive officer. they will sink us If we
don't round to-"
The next instant he took the matter
into his own hands. The engine bells
changed below. The ship slackened
speed, stopped, and lay rolling in the
sea. BY this time the boats of the
Adelina were putting out. well packed
with marines. They swarmed aboard
now without invitation. and appeared
eminently ready for any business that
might be offered.
"Who are you?" demanded Wynd-
ham. What do you mean by boarding
my boat?"
What do you mean by sending
wireless. sir?" demanded the officer Of
marin-s. "You called us, and we are
here. What is wIong?"
Il will tell you what is wrong."
broke in Count Frederick here, push
ing his way forward. I'VE are two
prisoners here-a young lady and my
self. We have been mishandled, both
Of us. by this ruffian here. He Or
dered me in irons for no reason in the
world except to give him better his
own way with this young lady. He is
neither officer nor gentleman. Having
no means of reckoning with him, /.
myself. ordered the wireless sent out
10 Gretzhoffen. / called you on my
own responsibility. We needed help,
and we thank God you have come"
The master of the Princess now
stood crestfallen, much OF his brayado
gone. Il meant nothing" said he.
Il will forget it all, captain, If you
let me gO-althOugh we ought TO blow