The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-12-08
CHAPTER III. (Continued)
The Turkana.

A MOTHER geyser of water, little be-
~ hind the first one, and sailor
= brought a slip of paper from the
virsless room. Captain Hoagland read it
with frown.
"He repeats his request"
Repeat my reply" said Jessup, imper-
turbably, land give her twenty-eight, Hoag-
land"
AYE, aye, sir. Twenty-eight it is"
Jessup watched the race through his
binoculars, at last really interested. The
Turkana was an exceptionally speedy boat,
but had never yet been forced to her limit.
A stern chase was long one and provid-
ing they stopped shooting
Another geyser, not a hundred yards
away! Another shot ricochetting astern
and splashing beyond.
"silly asst" muttered Jessup. Hell be
hitting US next"
He spoke in tones of quiet reprobation-
which conveyed a good-humored surprise
and contempt for the whole performance.
Won Hengel stood beside him, swinging
easily to the motion of the yacht.
THAT would be too bad" he said, in his
deep tones, but they cannot be aiming at
Us. The English are very bad at target
practice. In Germany we laugh at their
records. It is only because they are not
aiming at us that we come so near to be-
ing hit"
Him." said Jessup.
60
speed Of it and the last shots of the cruiser
went short and wide. Jessup was con-
scious of slight sense Of disappointment
that the incident was over. It was most
interesting. For a moment his blood had
actually tingled at the sense Of danger. It
Hoagland to the door Of the wireless room
and questioned.
Hes sending code now, SIR" said the
operator.
Code? To whom?"
Another war ship, I'd say, SIR"
"Oh," YEARLY. The excitement was
over. The Comet was only dirty smudge
on the horizon. you may reduce speed,
Hoagland."
He threw himself into an easy chair aft
and Won Hengel Joined him. In a moment
his pocket and began slowly writing, con-
sulting from time to time a small note
book. Jessup had forgotten him and was
watching in detected manner the distant
horizon when the sound Of his companions
voice aroused him from his reverie.
Would you mind, my friend?" asked Won
HengeL There is an important matter
for Won Bernstorf which l forgot Could
/ use the wireless.
Tell the operator to take your message"
and then relapsed in his thoughts
Thanks, my dear Alan. You are very
kind" said Won Hengel with a. white flash
Of his teeth as he smiled, and made his
way to the wireless room, whence after a
while came renewed cracking of the in
strument Jessup felt like taking a nap,
but the racket seemed to get on his nerves.
Why couldn't Won Hengel sit quiet and let
the world be? Wonderful thing, the wire
less, but it was all mistake. One couldn't
slip OF to sea nowadays without taking
the whole world along with him. He
would have the plaguey thing dismantled.
He got up and paced the deck for while,
where Won Hengel Joined him.
Some trifing details of routine matter
which forgot" be explained.
Sorry" said Jessup.
Captain Won Hengel spent a good part
OF the day at desk writing. His thoughts
seemed distracted and Jessup did not in
trude Toward night a message in code
came for Won Hengel which the operator
had some difficulty in deciphering. The
German read it with interest and after
sending reply went below and turned in.
But Jessup, who found his chair aft COM
Portable, remained on deck to smoke a
oipe.
There Captain Hoagland sought him.
"Ah, Hoagland, sit down and have
smoke"
NO, thanks, Mr.. Jessup, but I'll sit
minute"
The mans deep voice rumbled in a
troubled way
Something wrong aboard, Hoagland?"
The Captains huge hands clasped the
arm Of the chair and moved it a little
closer to Jessups.
ITO tell the truth, sir, there is" he NUT
tered. I'm a plain man, accustomed to
speak out. I'm no meddler with your af-
fairs, sir, but while I'm captain of this
craft look to her safety and yours"
Jessup lazily opened one eye.
you mean-er-the British cruiser
Eyes, SIR" said Hoagland. That and
other things. II you must know the truth,
don't like the goinss on Of your guest,
Captain Won Hengel, sir"
Jessup sat up straight and stared at his
captain.
This is rather unusual, Captain Hoag-