The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-08-08

search for the concealed lagoon.
The men, whose superstitious fears
were still working, hesitated for NOM
ent to leap into the boat. The Scotch
man muttered something about ''snares
of the de'il;" the coxswain, more practi-
cal, said, "there was no captain, and
they'd be over-matched," and ''the quar-
termaster won't CO."
'But do 60 shouted Gasket, leaping
into his place, and shame on all cow
ards ! Why, lads, if we trap this SLAYER
we're all made fol life. Come altogether
quietly, no shouting
The men, ashamed of their fears, now
took their places mufiled their oars, buck
led on their cutlasses, and loaded their
pistols. -Four men only were left in
charge of the ship. When pistol was
fired from the boat, they were to reply
with gun as signal of attention.
The men pulled swiftly and silently
into the blight, keeping as close as possible
to the shadow Of the jungle Of gigantic
reeds that covered the sides of the lagoon.
They did not dare yet to venture into
the mid-channel to even obtain glimpse
of the phantom ship Gf it were indeed
manned by flesh and blood) might be
lying.
The boy-captain at the last clump of
bush, cried Ship your oars T. and there
lay crouchcd, peering through the boughs
of the huge poisonous blossom trees that
trailed into the water
1t was by this time daybreak. Imag.
Inc the brave lads rapture, on standing
up in the boat and parting the boughs
with his hands, to behold not five hun
dred yards off, the phantom ship, a low
lying, rakish Portuguese schooner, paint
ed greyish white, the better TO elude OBJ
servaiion at night (grey being peculiarly
vanishing color.) 1t was at anchor.
The only men visible were two or three
n ngrocs, leaning, half-asleep, over the
stern, fishing, and luckily with their
backs turned towards the place where the
Spitre's boats lay hid
Gasket was Us brave as lion, but he
was unaccustomcd TO act on his own res
possibility. and he dreaded the rashness
of a midshipman. He coughed looked
hard at Il special rowlock, rubbed it with
his great horny fist, and muttered some
thing about
''S'posc its hambuscade. What can
we do agin forty or fifty Portuguese
And as for blacks, they can fire muskets
as well as white men,
'Cha!" said Powis, speaking between
his half cenched teeth, ''do you think
my brains are all leather, like yours,
Don't | see that the rascals are gone
ashore to bring slaves from the baracoon?
There en- be no one on board but a
Niger and sick man or two. | tell
you, man, I'll 60 alone, and swim TO it if
you are all towards"
This fired the damp powder of the old
sea- dogs spirit. There is a drop Of
Gains cruel blood at the bottom of most
mems hearts.
'Avast with your towards = he cried,
pulling out his cutlass, and running his
big thumb along the edge in a most bus-
ness like way. 1t was bad omen for
the slavcr's men.
Powls's eyes gllstened as he seized old
Gaskei's hand, and took off his own cap,
and waved it. Then he and the men
took out their pistols and looked at the
locks, or tightened their belts, and slung
round their cutlasscs snugger for their
hands
The boy'captain's speech was spoken
in low but firm voice. 'NIen,' he said,
I'VE may be doing safe thing, or we
may be going TO our death for, even If
we do get the SLAYER safe, our captain
anl comrades may not return in time to
help US if the dogs dare to try and get
her back. If we die, let us die ike
Englishmcn, true to our God and our
Queen we must hold together back to
back, and no hinchers. If we fail they
will at least say in England that we
deserved to have succeeded. God be
with us, and guide us to victory, for our
cause is good cause. Now then, men,
give way with IA will, and board her =
Pull straight for her, Spitiires = cried
GaSket, and out the boa; flew from be-
tween the branches as if it was driven
by steam.
The water was scarcely spla ID by
the oars 1t seemed only an instant after
that the boat lay alongside the phantom
ship, and, headed by Powis, the boarders
dashed like wild cats on the main chains.
and sprang on the deck with an hurrah
that was full o. cheerful courage.
! hree or four frightened negroes and
an old Portuguese spranS to arms, but
they were cut down or beaten down in a
moment. One Spitfre was shot in the
arm, but with the exception of that casu-
atty, and IA knife cut on Powis's sword
wrist, the daring assailants suffered no
hurt. The phantom ship was their own.
well done! cried Powis, wrapping
a handkerchief round his wrist. The
dog tried hard to get at my throat, but |
gave him No. 3, Gasket, and that'll last
him for some time. See to him he
mustn't bleed TO death. The ships our
own. Now get up the anchor, for we
must move her off
lie fired his pistol, and the Spitfire
answered with a gun as agreed on.
'We haven't too much time he said.
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