The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-08-31
CHAPTER xvI-contInued.

nall from the FORWARD LOOKOUT, Cldrk
who had spent the hour aloft.
"San-HoI On the weather bow p
Old Dominique lurched up stiffiy.
De Almonaster came from his furious
pacing amidships. Monsieur Sazarac,
presently. from the cabin. The gen.
tiemen gathered about the masters
sea-glass. After q while he picked 1t
up clearly.
"A Yankee-and a sloop-of-war, l
think. She is laying Il course to cross
us" Sazarac looked about with some
concern.
"Americanw cried Raoul eagerly.
Then break out the jack, and run up
the national colors also This Is an
American shipl"
Sazarac glanced at him oddly. 1t ap-
peared some sentiment was struggling
with expediency. But when Clark came
down he was sent to hoist the starred
nag Of the Washington republic.
This is hard nut to crack" grum-
bled Dominique. 1.-The story this
schooner holds. Not a document
aboard and you-JeanP"
MademoIselle Lestron had turned a
glad tired face to the strangers sail !;
she did not hear a sudden conference.
ut will not do for them to see him,
muttered Monsieur Sazarac. Nor
Mademoiselle Lestron to see him. He
is roaring his chanteys-he is telling
of his sea fght-he names US all Of the
old crew, one by one"
'sThere goes signal gun" Raoul was
watching the strange sail, and the
slender figure of Louise Lestron wav-
ing an arm as though the Yankees
might see. ''They mean for us to lay
to. Now, we Will have to explain"
Mademoiselle had run back to them,
her eyes sparkling joyously. She heard
the young mans last word, and her
keen eyes noted the constrained silence
that had fallen on them.
"Your fellow countrymen, Messieurs
of Louisiana A rescue what
is the matter? What is there to ex-
plain3 This ship, victim of mutt
neers?"
She glanced from them to the sloop-
of-war sailing swiftly. wind a-beam, to
cross the bows Of the Seraphine. Al
ready, at her masthead, they could see
the flag OF the North republic.
1.-The Napoleon plot" the English
woman guessed swell that-a ship OF
his majesty might seize you all, but
have not heard that the Yankees have
ever interfered seriously in this mad
ness of New Orleans to free Ma
poleonT
"The emperor" said Monsieur Saza-
rae darkly, but with his smile, SIS In
his bed-with his boots on !"
The Seraphlne was coming around
and up in the wind with a clatter OF
blocks and swapping cloth. Dominique
sighed YEARLY. There was nothing
else to do. Monsieur Sazarac, after
that last engmatic jest, looked grave
ly at the other vessel.
.sThe Hornet" he shrugged: Com
modore Bddle's famous sloop OF the
British war. Lay-to, heartiesl You
are boarding a mate worthy of chase
II we had other than dead sailormen
forward of the mast !"
Dominique watched him sorrowfully. !
For them all. save Jean Lafitte, there
might be explanation. pardon perhaps,
even praise for gallant exploit.
"She is up in the wind Also" NUT
tered De Almonaster. Il see a boat
swinging off, and smart lieutenants
head-gear. Now, Monsieur Sazarac-'
ut depends upon who may be in the
Yankee boarding party" said the other
"There may be old
heads there who know me WELL"
Monsieur Sazarac's short laugh
ytung the hothead again. He crossed
10 him at the rail. Monsieur Sazarac,
Il is idle to say l Will not betray you.
There is no one here who can or Will,
except -. what is John Jarvis
saying now?"
HE instructed, just now: jean |
Lafitte, fetch the sea boots of Monsieur
sazarac.'
'Perdition ~ fumed De Almonaster. |
He will hang you yet He will hang
rou yet-even at the last -
"A word from him-from any one
Monsieur Sazarac took
lis snuff composedly. ''Eh. bienl He
vas my Jester in the old days This
,ntire affair seized his fancy. 1t was
,e. II seems, for he boasts of it-who
'aught camellla which was once
brown to me from a balcony. Things
night have been far different If | had
lone so, and not he. Well, what would
me have? Life depends on the slightest
hings. And death as well; you self
he Emperor of the Bottle had not
aught the camellla he might never
ave been inspired to outswagger
fonsleur Sazaracw
"Her ragged cavalier muttered
he other: "be still. She must not
now. It would be abominable-he,
nth his cognac, roaring the doggerel
( your black shipl Name of Names
he American boat is under our coun-
err. See to the boarding, Clark !"
A hail had come from the small boat
s she sheered off to await the ladder
hen presently. after some difficulty, q