The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1916-04-14

we cannot be more than forty miles
from him this minute"
Easily within that, excellency. The
stun m awfully strong-they are
close. that Is sure"
Send the captain at once" ordered
the official.
The captain came and learned this
news also. At once the bow OF the
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 OF Count Frederick had awaited In
this emergency In which he found him.
self. He knew that the Adelina would
be in commission. He hoped that
someone might be found to take com
mand. He knew that any aid which
came, must ONE Dol
The Adelina now swung in full
speed, her engines purring softly in a
continuous roll as she took up her top
gait, and held II steadily. Always the
call came, IS. o. S.-Gretzhoren-S.
o. S.-GretzhoTen." For. as n matter
Of fact. although left long since in
his own den on the upper deck, the
operator OF the Princess had d~utifully
done what he had been hidden to do.
They plowed on into the starry
night for some time. At length an eX.
clamation came from the captain to
the official who stood at his side on
the bridge.
Il see herr" said he. Dead ahead.
and coming on at a good clip herself.
Screaming bloody murder. Well, we'll,
we will see in a couple OF jities what
it is all about. She's not sinking
she's not on hre-what's wrong
there"
Meantime, on board the Princess
such confusion reigned that at the
time none saw the swift approach OF
the Adclina. 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 ask
wholly ignorant. naturally, that his
call to Gfetzhoffen 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 as
they ran here and there. Even Wynd.
ham, engaged in his drunken sport of
h]ectoring the weak girl who 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 II
could be seen little except the loom OF
her rigging. But now anne the fash
OF a shot and its plunge into the sea
dead ahead OF the Princess.
Good bless u.s." exclaimed Wynd.
ham, almost sobered now at this.
They are firing on us-fring on the
British nag. It's not done, you knowl"
But It is done, sir" said the ex-
ecutive officer at his elbow, when a
second shot carried away a part OF the
bowsprit OF the Princess. Round to,
or she will sink u.s."
They are damned pirates!" said
Wyndham. "I1l not have H."
pirates or not, sir, said the execu.
tive officer, they will sink us II we
don't round to-
The mex 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. we'll 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 a
wireless, sir?" demanded the officer Of
marines. You called US, and we are
here. What is wrong?"
Il will tell you what is wrong"
broke in Count Frederick here, push
Ing his way forward. we are two
prisoners here-a young lady and my.
self. We have been mishandled. both
OF us, by this rufian 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 il
neither officer nor gentleman. Having
no means OF reckoning with him, |,
myself. ordered the wireless sent out
TO Gretzho1en. ! called you on my
own responsibility. We needed help,
and we thank God you have come"
The mGster OF the Princess now
stood cresttallen, much OF his bravado
gone. Il meant nothing" said he.
II will forget II all. captain. II you
let me go-although we ought TO blow
you Opt Of the water" said Frederick