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Count Luckner, the Sea Devil
Luckner am) hie companions take pas¬
sage on a vessel at Wakaya svith the idea
at capturing it when it put to sea.
CHAPTER XV—Continued
— 21 —
My officers were with me, and the
men also saw the point, but agreed
with much reluctance. Certainly, none
of os wanted to go to a British prison
<<lmp. But there seemed no help for
It.
It was the twenty-first of Septem¬
ber, just two days short of a month
since our departure from Mopelia.
The lieutenant and his four men in
those short pants and bare knees came
aboard. Followed by his men, he
stepped up to me.
“I’ve got to arrest you,” he began
decently enough. “Who are you?”
"Allow me,” I responded, “to intro¬
duce myself. I am Count Luckner,
commander of the Seeadler. These
men here a-re part of m.v crew.”
“Are you Count von Luckner?”
“Yes.”
He gazed around bewildered, fright¬
ened, and certainly nonplussed. L im¬
agined I could see his legs shake. Ap¬
parently, he was digesting the fact
that he and his men were practically
unarmed and the certainty that we
must be armed to the teeth.
“We have.” 1 continued, “hand gre¬
nades and firearms enough to send you
and your knee-pants army tiere to
Kingdom Come, and if we were in uni¬
form. you would be our prisoners.
However, he tiiaf as it may, you have
caught us in civilian clothes—but look
here.”
We took our weapons out of our
pockets. I had had two of our men
bring up our bundles. We cut them
open and displayed the grenades, pis¬
tols, and machine guns. Tiie lieuten¬
ant stared, still aghast in spite of my
reassuring speech. The soldiers were
funny. Vou could see the goose pim¬
ples on the skin below the lower edge
of those short pants. They edged to
the rail, evidently ready to tumble
overboard. The captain of the schoon¬
er and his crew now knew what kind
of guests they had welcomed aboard.
They stood gaping.
“I must ask you to stand back a
moment, lieutenant.” I exclaimed,
"while 1 destroy my war material.
Overboard with it all!" 1 called to my
men.
Pistols, grenades, and machine guns
dropped, splashing into the water.
"And now, lieutenant," 1 saluted, “at
your service!”
“Right ho, count,” he replied, “you
men have made a great name for your¬
selves on your cruise, and now you
have played cricket with me. You will
receive decent treatment. You have
my word as a Briton for that.” He
emphasized the word “Briton.”
1 had no doubt as to what our first
ordeal was to tie. Unless the British
had more recent news than we con¬
cerning our comrades whom we had
left at Mopelia, which was not prob¬
able, we would he questioned as to
the whereabouts of tiie Seeadler and
the remainder of her crew. I told my
men that they should give the same
reply to all interrogations, namely that
1 had hidden them to keep silent and
that 1 would answer for all. That
would prevent us from tripping one
another up. We had taken care to
throw away any notes or papers we
had that gave any hint as to where
we had gone ashore in the Society is¬
lands. They could search us as much
as they liked, but they would find
nothing. One mischance, though, be¬
fell us. I was to learn in a few days
that one of my comrades had dropped
a notebook, which presently was found.
In it he had a brief diary of the See
adler’s voyage. I questioned the di¬
arist who had kept the unfortunate
record, and he told me that his notes
about Mopelia were very sketchy. He
remembered clearly that he had writ¬
ten we had captured the sailing ship
Manila. After that was a single en¬
try.
“Landed stores at Mopelia."
There his diary broke off. There was
no mention of our having sunk the
Manila or of our having lost the See¬
adler at Mopelia or taken refuge on
the island.
CHAPTER XVI
Jailed in Fiji
Our arrival as prisoners was the
event of the year at Suva, the cap¬
ital city of the Fiji islands. Our cap¬
ture was the only warlike happening
that had come aiqng in those parts
to break the monotony of life in the
dreary South Seas. The newspaper
got out a lurid special edition filled
with a harrowing account of the cap¬
ture of the captain and a part of the
crew of the desperate raider, the See¬
adler. It gave the hour when we were
expected to reach Suva. So a huge
crowd, that is, a huge one as crowds
go in Fiji, had gathered at the pier
to look us over. A company of infan¬
try lined both sides of the approach
to the pier with bayonets fixed. They
certainly were a comic-opera-looking
Jot in their hot-weather knee pants.
During our march down the street
between the gauntlet of bayonets and
the crowd behind them, a half-caste
fellow, seeing us unarmed and help¬
less, stepped forward and spat in the
face of one of my boys. I jumped out
of line and gave him a blow straight
from the shoulder that sent him down
in a heap. His friends had to carry
him away. 1 had acted on the im¬
pulse of the moment and expected to
be run through with a bayonet, but
LOWELL THOMAS
Copyright by
Doubleday, Doran & Co.
the officer in command of the soldiers
shouted:
“Serves him right I Good for you,
count!” Then addressing himself to
the crowd, he added: “These men
have done nothing to deserve such
treatment.” He said it as though he
meant it, too. That Englishman was
a real fellow, I tell you.
We were promptly questioned.
Where were the Seeadler and tile re¬
mainder of its crew? Of course, my
hoys kept mum. I, on the other hand,
invented a story about accidentally
getting separated from the rest, wno
were still aboard the Seeadler—where,
we didn’t know. The story, of course,
was not believed.
At first they kept ns at the gov¬
ernor’s rest house, a fine place with
a garden, where visiting white people
often Stopped. Our meals were borne
to us by coolies from the local hotel.
The temporary commandant of the
rest house was a Lieutenant Wode
house, a fine fellow. After a day or
so he was replaced by Lieutenant
Whitehouse, whom we didn’t like so
well. He was what the British them¬
selves would call “a bit of an ass.
y’know.” Whenever he talked with me
he kept his hand on his pistol. He ap¬
parently thought me a sort of ogre, a
bad man sent to frighten nice young
lieutenants. Presently he came, hand
on pistol, and announced:
“General Mackenzie wants to see
yon, all of you.”
“More questions, by Joe,” 1 thought.
Appearing before a general was an
event ot some moment We felt we
had to look worthy df the German
navy. We had our uniforms, which
were somewhat faded after the long
trip at sea. But we slicked them up
as best we could and generally made
ourselves as presentable as possible.
They loaded us into stinking cattle
cars. For a visit to a general?
Qurrei we thought. They led us to
a stone building and ushered us In. It
was a jail 1
“Is this your General Mackenzie?"
I sneered at Whitehouse. “You’re a
fine British officer.”
He walked away, ashamed, himself,
of the dodge ha had used to get us to
the jail without the desperate attempts
he, in his stupid timidity, expected us
to make.
But tiie jail was not so bad. We
got our meals from a restaurant They
separated me from my men, which I
did not like. Nor was it exactly mil¬
itary ethics to confine prisoners of
war in a common calaboose. But the
authorities were nervous. Tiiey be¬
lieved the Seeadler was lurking some¬
where nearby, and they expected our
comrades to come raiding ashore and
try to rescue us. Of course, they kept
on trying to get us to reil them where
the Seeadler was, but they teamed
nothing.
Lieutenant Whitehouse was still our
jailer. Keeping a good hold of his pis¬
tol, he came up to me again, lie spoke
very politely this time:
“A Japanese admiral wants to see
you, sir.”
1 laughed at him.
“First it was General Mackenzie,
and now It is the Japanese admiral.
Ho! Hoi What tricks are you up to
this time?”
“No, really, upon my word, really,
count, the Japanese admiral wants to
J see you.”
“By Joe, lieutenant, 1 was fool
enough to get all slicked up to see
your General Mackenzie. But I’ll be
hanged if I’ll budge an Inch to see
your old Japanese admiral.”
I didn’t 'know what kind of foolish¬
ness it was this time, and Intended to
protest and stall as long as i could.
He went away rather sheepishly. In
a few minutes another lieutenant
showed up.
“There is a Japanese admiral who
really does want to see you. Count
Luckner, you know,” he said.
“Oh, since you say so, lieutenant, It
must be so,” l replied.
I brushed up my uniform and ac¬
companied him through the courtyard
to a pier. A splendid cruiser, the
Ysuma, lay out there at anchor in
the harbor. A boat manned by Jap¬
anese sailors was waiting there for
me at the landing. Aboard the cruis¬
er, the magnificent deck contrasting
with the dingy jail that now was my
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Clock Made for Pope Marvel of Ingenuity
The most beautiful clock in Eng¬
land is said to be found in the Brit¬
ish museum. It is believed to have
been made by Pope SixtU3 V, that
pontiff, brought up (as some tell) a
swineherd, who amassed when he
reached the holy see such treasures
as eclipsed the wealth of Europe: to
whom much of the magnificence of
Rome is owed.
Three stories high it stands, telling
on its dials the fast days, the signs
of the Zodiac, the motions of the sun
and moon in their course. Besides
the minute dial a cherub raises a
sickle as the hour strikes, while bis
neighbor turns an hour-glass over.
But you will need all your eyes for
the topmost story, divided into four
balconied tiers. On the lowest the
gods of the days of the week pass
slowly round. Above, the Virgin and
CLEVELAND COURIER.
home. I felt like a man who, long con¬
fined in darkness, suddenly walks into
sunlight.
My feelings changed to those of dis
comfort as the admiral welcomed me.
He was a grave, courteous little man,
clad in an Immaculate white uniform.
My own uniform had once been white,
but in spite of all the washing l had
given it, it was now a dingy gray. The
gold braid had turned green from the
corrosion of the sea water. So I tried
to make up in dignity of hearing what
1 lacked in perfection of dress. He
introduced me to his officers:
“Here Is the man we have chased
for three months.” And then turning
fo me:
“I am sorry, sir, to meet you in this
situation. I would rather It had been
in a good, square fight.”
“I would far rather be your pris¬
oner, admiral.” I answered, “than the
ignominy of living In this beastly Fiji
island jail.”
The Japanese had not known of the
Jail part of it. The officers looked In
cold astonishment at the British lieu¬
tenant, who was much embarrassed.
Tn the luxurious saloon I was ex*
tended gracious, Indeed ceremonious
hospitality, the hospitality of Japan,
The admiral offered me cigars and
cigarettes and poured out the chant*
pagne for me. I took a cigar, but re¬
fused the wine.
“I am a teetotaller," 1 said, “a prohi
bitionist, as the Americans would
say.”
I suspected that I would be ques
tioned about the Seeadler, and didn’t:
want my tongue lubricated with cham¬
pagne!
Tile admiral placed three boobs be
fore me. The frontispiece of one was
the picture of the Emden; of the oth
er, a picture of the Moewe. He turned
the pages. Both were filled with Jap¬
anese writing. The third book whs
empty. The admiral placed this book
before me and presented me with a
pen.
“Write something about your
cruise,” he asked, “in our country
we write about the deeds of the en¬
emies we have met. We tell what
they did for their countries, so that
it may fill our youth with enthusiasm
to do as much for our country. Write
down one or two things that I can
use.”
“Gladly,” I replied, and began to
write briefly of our experiences while
rounding Cape Horn.
“Just a question first,” interrupted
the admiral. “Did you put to sea
from a neutral port, the United States,
Argentine, or Chile?"
“We sailed from Hamburg,” I re¬
sponded. “We flew the Norwegian
flag and were searched for an hour
and a half by a British cruiser.”
“Examined by tiie British?”
“Yes.”
Those grave Japanese faces lighted!
up with smiles of exquisite amuse¬
ment.
After I had written my short piece.,,
the admiral spoke again.
“And now, count, tell me where yon
have been.”
“Admiral,” l responded, “that is a
question I should prefer not to answer
right away. First tell me where you
looked for me.”
He brought out a big chart. A quick
glance, and I saw the Island of Mo*
pelia. Around it was a faint line in
pencil. That told me what I wanted
to know. Undoubtedly, they had found
the diary my hoy had lost, the last
entry of which mentioned Mopelia.
The admiral pointed to the Tasman
sea, between Australia and New Zea¬
land.
“I was on your trail here, count, but
l lost you near New Zealand.”
“I am sorry to say, admiral, that my
ship was never within six thousand
miles of those waters.”
“But,” he responded, “the ships you
sank in the Pacific were all to or
from Australia.”
“I know, but—” A little Judicious
hesitation.
“But where were you, «ount? Tell
me.”
“I cruised back and forth south o
the Hawaiian Islands over the wa¬
ters where the Australia-San Fran¬
cisco ships, the eastbound and west¬
bound, pass.” There Is nothing like
the truth.
“You are right, count, i should
have thought of it.”
“I am glad you didn’t,” I repliedt
"or you would have captured me.”
And now the admiral came square
to the point.
(TO BE} CONTINUED)
Child are seated, before whom an¬
gels make obeisance as they pass by.
Next, the four ages of man strike the
quarters on a bell. On the topmost
balcony Death comes forward at the
hour and strikes a bell, the figure of
Our Lord retreating meanwhile.
Crowning it all a beautifully molded
cock perches on the dome: and when
the chimes have rung he flaps his
wings and crows!
The Age of Retirement
Exert your talents and distinguish
yourself, and don’t think of retiring
from the world until the world will
be sorry that you retire. I hate a
fellow whom pride, or cowardice, or
laziness drives iDto a corner, and who
does nothing when he is there but sit
and growl. Let him come out aa 'i
do, and bark,—Doctor Johnson.
Improved Uniform International
SundaySchool * Lesson f
<By REV. P. B. FITZWATEB, D-D„ Dean
Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.)
(©, 1929, Western Newspaper Union.)
Lesson for October 13
KEEPING FIT FOR THE SAKE OF
OTHERS
Temperance Lesson
LESSON TEXT—Dan. 1:8-20, I Cor.
9:19-27, 1 Tim. 4:7-12.
GOLDEN TEXT—Know ye not that
your body Is the temple of the Holy
Ghost which is in you, which ye have
of God, and ye are not your own, for
ye are bought with a price; therefore
glorify God In your body.
PRIMARY TOPIC—Taking Care of
Our Bodies.
JUNIOR TOPIC—Keeping Fit.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP¬
IC —Self-control for the Common Good.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP¬
IC—Temperance Essential to the High¬
est Usefulness.
In tiie use of this as a temperance
lesson it must be borne in mind that
it is temperance in tiie sense of self
mastery rather than indulgence in in¬
toxicating liquors.
1. The Self-mastery of Daniel and
His Companions (Dan. 1:5-20).
These young men were wrenched
from their hollies and country in the
tender years of youth and carried
away as captives ro a strange land.
1. Their trials (vv. 5-7).
(1) The test of conscience (v. 5).
By the appointment of the king, a por¬
tion of the Icing’s meat and wine was
provided daily for the captives. Tills
being contrary to the Jewish customs,
tiie young men could not conscien¬
tiously partake of them. Conscience
is the groundwork of human charac¬
ter.
(2) Changed name (vv. 6, 7).
Among the Hebrews, names were
given to children which were most
significant Daniel means “God Is my
judge.” The significance of this name
was that nil the problems of life were
submitted to God for His decision. This
was the secret of Daniel's successful
life.
(3) Their religious life (v. 8).
This involved tiieir refusal to eat
meat and to drink wine, in the case
of Daniel at least?, it also involved his
praying three times a day. Daniel
purposed in bis heart that he would
not defile himself with this food and
drink.
2. Their courtesy (vv. 8-13).
Daniel seems to have been tiie
spokesman for the company. Although
his heart was fixed, he did not forget
to be a gentleman. He requested that
lie he excused from ttiis meat and
drink in order not to be defiled.
3. Their triumph (vv. 14-21).
(1) Their physical health (vv. 14-
1G).
A test was made for ten days which
showed that tiiey were fairer in coun¬
tenance and fatter in flesh than those
who indulged in the king’s meat.
(2) Their mental growtli (vv. 17-
20 ).
Daniel and Ills companions were
found to be ten times better than their
comrades in wisdom and understand¬
ing.
(3) Social and political preferment
(v. If)). They stood before file king.
(4) T li e i r temporal influence
(v. 21). All were advanced to posi¬
tions of influence, and Daniel became
president of the college of wise men,
and Uie prime minister of the nation.
II. Paul Advises the Corinthians
as to Self-control (1 Cor. 9:19-27).
The Corinthians were an intemper¬
ate and a dissolute people. No city
in the world perhaps exceeded them in
vices of all kinds. The surest and
most effective way to combat vice is
to inculcate virtue.
1. Paul’s own life and example
(vv. 19-23).
Though free from all men, he made
himself servant unto all.
2. The Isthmian games (vv. 24-27).
, Paul uses these popular games to
Illustrate the need of self-control.
(1) Life Is a race (vv. 24, 25). In
order to win a prize there must be
self-denial and definite exertion. The
Christian obtains life by contact with
Jesus Christ through faith (John 3:3G;
3:36; 5:24). While he gets salvation
(life) at tiie beginning, God places be¬
fore him definite rewards as incen¬
tives to exertion. The Christian be¬
lieves for life, but works for rewards.
(2) It is a fight, (vv. 2G, 27).
The Christian’s efforts a're not mere
beatings of the air. He has a deadly
struggle witli his carnal nature.
III. Paul’s Advice to Timothy (1
Tim. 4:7-12).
A minister needs to have control of
himself. He is urged to exercise him¬
self unto godliness. He needs to train
himself for his work as a teacher and
a minister.
Doing Good
Doing good is the only pleasure that
never wears ouL—Confucius.
Bring God Into Your Heart
Bring God down into your heart.
Embalm your soul in Him now, make
within you a temple for the Holy
Spirit; be diligent in good works, make
others happier and better.—Amiel’s
i
Journal.
Power and Providence
No one can contemplate the great
facts of astronomy without feeling his
own littleness and the wonderful
sweep of the power and providence of 1
God.—Edwards. I
Heed Early Warning!
Don’t Let Kidney Trouble Get a Firm Hold.
TNOES every day find you lame and achy—suffer
J—'jng nagging backache, headache and dizzy spells? burn¬
Are kidney excretions too frequent, scanty or
ing in passage? These are often signs of sluggish kid¬
neys and should not be neglected.
To promote normal kidney action and assist your
kidneys in cleansing your blood of poisonous wastes,
use Doan’s Pills. Endorsed the world over. Sold by
good dealers everywhere.
Doan’s Pills
A Stimulant Diuretic to the Kidneys
Keep yom* skin
♦ clear ♦
SOAP to cleanse - OIATiTIKflT to heal
with Cntieiira
Hardy String Beans
String beans, not only escaping the
Infection of the Mediterranean fruit
fly hut refusing to become affected
even when subjected to ail sorts of
tests, have boon removed from tiie
regulations governing the quarantine
against the fly.
Tiie cousins of Uie string bean, cow
peas, ami all other kinds excepting
lima or broad beans are similarly
cleared of regulation.
Service
Guest—This steak is so thin that I
can read through it!
Walter—Yes, sir. What do you
wish to rend?—Detroit News.
V *•*
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tt- r , - 1-------------
Rajah Hunts With Lights
To aid in hunting big game at
a maharajah of India has equipped
his streamline automobile with
powerful searchlights. The car
an extension light rigged up
tiie driver’s sent and four
ranged along the front, to spot or
fuse the tiger or other game ciUF-ati¬
tered.
Hits the High Spots
“Willie—“Pa, what is a grasshej)
per?” Pa—“That dull lawn mower of
ours—Judge.
Some grown folks are harder t*
amuse than some babies.