The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1916-08-03
CHAPTER XVI

~ .y%" "4".
CHAPTER XVI
Captured.
The little ~flotilla, two strong, got
under way before shutdown.
Once clear of the harbor it was
found that the yacht could easily out
foot the %antiquated %barkantine, so, a.
it was desirable to keep within sight
of each other, they shortened sail on
the yacht until the race was more ev-
en-.
Marriott, who had started out from
Sydney with the idea that the whole
thing was a piece of humor, now
looked upon it in a serious light.
Edith and Helen and young Mrs. Mar
riott however, regarded the expedition
as a holiday excursion-or a sort OF
Sunday-School picnic. ~~'~'~~"
"Cheer up, daddy, and don't look
so serious" said Edith in playful good
nature. do you suppose for an In
slant that these twins are desperate
characters? You ought to know they
are not by simply looking at their
pictures"
"That's all right, little girl; you
wouldn't Judge by pictures, or appear
ances either, if you had up against
the business sharks I have had deal
ings WITH" returned her father. ,
Marriott had evolved a scheme,
somewhat on the dime novel order,
for capturing the desperate criminals.
It's main points consisted Of laying of
out Of sight of those on the island.
making a midnight landing, sneaking
up and taking them unawares while
they slept, meanwhile leaving the
young women on the yacht to keep
house.
Smoking his after supper cigar on
deck that evening, Marriott unfolded
his plan to the ladies of the party.
Shrill protests promptly came from
three pretty threats. At the end OF
fifteen minutes of family arguments.
Marriott threw up both hands and
acknowledged defeat.
"Have it your own way, as usual,''
he cried. but if anybody is killed,
uOnL Dldllc Iic.
The girls laughed at him and thea
let him in on their scheme, and it was
the girls scheme that prevailed in the
end. '~..~i,ss@ s"'r" "
Favoring breezes most of the time
sent the two vessels to their destina-
ton in something less than five days
1t was shortly .afteEg the nrc1 t.yur
when the island was first siRhted.
Captain Stanwood knew it of old:
in fact it was he who had taken a car
go of lumber there with which John
Morgan built his house.
Captain ~Stanwood, Therefore, ap-
preaching from the west, cast anchor
\ quarter of a mile from shore, off the
little river; and the yacht, following,
did likewise, a cables length away"
Boats were lowered from each YES.
sci. The entire Marriott family Got
into one and was rowed ashore by two
of the crew. Captain Stanwood and
half a dozen of his men led the way
. IN another boat. They entered the
river on a flood tide and were soon in
the lagoon.
Landing at the little wharf, they
stepped ashore. For the occasion
young Mrs. Marriott and the two eirls
had bedecked themselves in fresh and
bewitching summer gowns, while Mar.
1iott had donned~a clean suit of white
duck.
The four, with Captain Stanwood,
formed a skirmishing party. leaving
the crews in the boats.
They easily found a path leading
from the lagoon, but had hardly taken
a step before they heard a wild, riot
Gus burst of music. which continued
as they made their way toward the
house.
There are your desperate GRIM
inals. daddy" laughed Helen. Get
your firearms ready; we're going to
have a terrible battle.''
Edith poked her father in the rib.
and Mrs. Marriott reaching up patted
him on the cheek. Marriott looked
rather foolish.
When they reached the house the
music was still going full blast. Two
or three mems voices. to the accom-
paniment Of a piano, were making the
rafters shake. The invaders tiptood
to the corner Of the house and peered
aroma -