Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-11-05
rs everything readyrs asked Del

''Is everything readyr' asked Del
Mar, coming up.
Everything. sir" returned the two,
following him along the shore.
Who's that?" cautioned one Of the
men. looking ahead.
They hid hastily. for there was
Elaine. She had seen the three and
was about to level her glass in their
direction as they hid. Finally she
turned and discovered the steamer
As she moved toward It, Del Mar and
the others came out from behind q
rocl: and stole after her.
Elaine wandered on until she came
to the dock. No one paid any attention
to her. apparently, and she made her
way along the dock and even aboard
the boat without being observed.
No sooner had she got ON the boat,
however, than Del Mar and his men
appeared on the dock and also boarded
the steamer.
| The captain was still explaining to
the men just how the drag hook worked
when Elaine came up quietly on the
deck. She stood spellbound as she
heard him outline the detail of the
plot. Scarcely knowing what she did.
she crouched back of a deckhouse and
listened.
Behind her, Del Mar and his men
came along. catlike. A glance was
sufficient to tell them she had over
heard what the captain was saying.
"Confound that girl" ground out
Del Mar. "Will she always cross my
path? Well get her this time!"
The men scattered as he directed
them. Sneaking up quietly, they made
a sudden rush and seized her. As
she struggled and screamed. they
dragged her OF. thrusting her into
the captains cabin and locking the
door.
| Cast on" ordered Del Mar.
| A few moments later. out In the har-
Dor, Del Mar was busy directing the
dragging for the Atlantic cable at q
spot where 1t was known to run. They
let the drag hook down over the side
and pulled 1t along slowly on the
bottom.
| I had decided to do some early
morning fishing that day after the
party. and knowing that Elaine and
the others were usually late risers, I
said nothing about 1t, determined to
try my luck alone.
So 1t happened that only q few min
utes after Elaine let herself out quiet
ly, l did the same, carrying my fish
ing tackle. / made my way toward
the shore, undecided whether to fish
from q dock or boat. Finally l deter
mined to do some casting from the
shore.
I had cast once or twice before I
was aware that l was not alone in the
immediate neighborhood. Some dis
lance away l saw Q little steamer at
q wharf A couple of men ran along
the deck, apparently cautioning the
captain against something.
Then l saw them run to one side
and drag out a girl, screaming and
struggling as they hurried her below.
I could scarcely believe my eyes. It
was Elaine!
Only a second I looked. They were
certainly too many for me. dropped
my rod and line and ran toward the
dock, however. As I came down it.,
I saw that l was too late. The little
steamer had cast OF and was now
some distance from the dock. looked
about for a motorboat in desperation
anything to follow them in. But
there was nothing. absolutely nothing,
not even a row boat.
ran back along the dock as had
come and struck out down the shore.
Out at the parade grounds at Fort
Dale. in spite of the early hour. there
was some activity. for the army is
composed of early risers.
Lieutenant Woodward and Profess
sor Arnold left the house in which
the lieutenant was quartered, where
he had invited Arnold to spend the
night. Already an orderly had brought
around two horses. They mounted for
an early morning ride through the
country.
on they clattered, naturally bending
their course toward the shore. They
came soon to q point In the road
where it emerged from the hills and
gave them a panoramic view Of the
harbor and sound.
wait Q minute" called the pro
fessor.
Woodward refined up and they gazed
| OF over the water.
| whats that-an oyster boat?'
asked Woodward, looking in the direc-
ton Arnold indicated.
Il don't think so. so early" replied
Arnold, pulling out his pocket glass
and looking carefully.
Through 1t he could see that some.
thing like hook was being cast over
the, steamers side and drawn back
again.
They're dragging for something
he remarked as they brought up an
object, dark and covered with sea.
growth, then threw 1t overheard az
though 1t was not what they wanted
by George-the Atlantic cable lands
here-they're going to cut IT,"
Woodward took the glasses himself
and looked in surprise. That's right,
he cried, his surprise changed to alarm
in an instant. Here. take the glass
again and watch. l must get bach
to the fort"