The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-05-05
TOM CRAB:
An Old Salt, Af|oat and Ashore.
by GUS. COMSTOCK.
GROCER sTARBUcK) :

CHAPTER I.

Down from aloft, ike tie far-of scream OF bird In
the sky, came the cry of Sail or
Hs who uttered TIA tall, swarthy fellow stood
long serpentlne body swsying 10 and fro, away up in
man, Ca. TAN Band bound frcm London TO New York
The sltuat Oh, ten leagues northeast CT he
Azores or Western Islands.
Where away. Tom?'' shouted Captain Band.
miles on: there In the edge OF the fog
she is under full sail and bearing down upon us !"
he said to his mate; craft los in the water and
shooner should think, although the mist is so thick
twill you LEI me look through your giasss' INQUIRED
n,inted Richard Merton a young n,au, an American,
Who with his sister, had taken passage for home in this
A handsomer fellow than Richard could scarcely be
imagined He was tall and broad shoulder ed, with
pleXion; spirited brown eyes, dark, wavy hair nous
gid eentleness and resolution oi min
To describe his sister, who now stood by his side,
In her. look Of chd.like trust and confidence was
chaTm1ngly blended with the sweet dignity of early
Her hair. of dark, chestnut color fell in wavy
es to her shoulders her eyes, large. and OF soft
seeking protection from wolf wn at other peri
DDS they beamed with the deep. thoushttul, trusting
With such failures Teg1@sT yet full OF ing
| nihcent form, she rivaed the Venus dc Ndici, and
might have stirred the heart OF an anchorte.
iain's glass Grace Merton then noticed that he said
| something, In low voice. to the captain.
"Ay, ay. sir, answered the latter, II perceived It,
but didn't Ike, do you see to speak OF 1T before the
the words were too low for Grsce to hear, but. &C
custom d. womanke to study the expression of faces.
she a, once ciyined that something was wrong
her brother no peace until at last she drew ON him
fact sat se had o and
AS France and England were then at war; the crew
Thee wefe howrver plenty OF nsSets cutasses and
pistols aboard the St. George, besides couple nine
and ri hard Merton having had experience in the
American Navy, AZ sailing master, could materially
ON t. other hand the Frenchman probably had goo
to the II sf s9 aad vt
| sides
Captain Band resolv d to keep far enough of. II
he did not much fear, the Frenchman. if reeb
LAY; .ay!' exclaimed the mastheader, who had
sighted the stranger but who was now on deck bad
Frenchers as they did good sarvce in revolu-
ton
"Now lookee here, Tom crab :" exclaimed the CAP
YOU through II you back down when the fighting
b@Elns.
serPentne body to its fun height You might
through and through but wouldn't lift hand agains
them cnaps unless choosed"
The loud woes drew Merton to the srot
THE fact is just here" answered Crab thrusting his
prates, III fight, But If they amt nohn' bat cruisers
agin the English flag, d MT lift hand
can ." turning to Crab.
Il guess You are one too amt yep"
. SO am 1. Tom Crab, If Sag Harbor. at your sar
vice. no is as sound on the stars and strips az he 4
on the hasty pudding and pumpkin pie question:
A shot from the stranger. now less than a mile Off
: passed, with whizziGg sound over the speakers
= Up went the French flag at her gaff-above that
black one; hoisted the next moment, proclaimed tn
'Ail rghJ' cried Crab buckling his belt around hi
waist that determines DC me- I'm always ready to fgh
M Ter vent t orSa,d and ase9deG to the Peintina
brought down; when discharged, Tie Frenchman
!. fCretOpssil yard by tie run.
: steady. bowed Rand, now hoping to escape
Meanwhile, Grace NJ. rton, in the catIn WHITTIER sht
u had bcel conducted By her brother. was upon he
knees her face bowed on her hands. silently praying
terrific crash suddenly brought her to her feet
a mirror, slitterrd III. glass to fragments
The mizzen mast had been struck and Just knocke
20 neces the wreck lay along side. dragging the
Caorlin Band Sc zing an AK, sprang TO clear It. wher
ano ner ball lfOmthe enemy carried bis head oil hi
: shoulders
cooy as picking up the Az he dashed ait and proceed
G ! Ell 10 Clear the wreck.
. The Frenchman now wa, booming along. as if In
tending to St ike he vessel amidships her booms
shrouas alive with fierce looking fellows, armed to tn
Before M week could be cleared. the French yes
sci came alongside, lufiing up. with her rat
) tling: when some sixty boar sprung aboard.
If despei ATE combat now took place. he French
. me- ru> he'd upon their foes, shouting no quarter
u The hnglishman'S Crew, thirty in number, head
d ed by Merton III the mate. fought ike lions
| The other party We're led by young of singula
4 beauty faacifly attired and another tall fellow
most as dark n Malay.
Many men fell on both sides. The Engishmen Tough
with their usual logged so iOn thfir grim faces
pressve OF thS utmost contempt for TIER d-mo1strav
= toes.
IL supple fellow sprang ike tiger ufon the rsc,,
= Melton, who was gasntly Distinguishing himself,
was about driving dirk In the back Of his neck whe
al Tom rab with one slash OF the huge cutiass he
heen WELDING, cut OF The little Frenchmaa's head
Cne after aIo her, the nerchantnans brave crew fe
TO tue deck so that there length remained but dol
en-, who were soon overpow cred.
y Among these prisoners were Merton and Tom CRAB.
i'll These rascaS must all walk overbOardJ' said tn
tall man, WHO hat been one OF the leaders OF the boar
r Ing party.
=, better die that way than tother.''
- There was TO answer.
u whatever you 10 10 you will at least be me
g ciful 10 my sister, said Merton
The younger leader OF the outlaws looked at Il
speaker ntcntly.
we will not harm your sister," he said. in a voit
He moved Int the cabin, followed by his tan
l. C mpanion. who soon after reapDeared.
s. "telore the other part OF the sun goes down, 30
, must all lcuik ne plank -
5, Aud my sister ?'' said Merton " You will spar
Il her. and enable her to safely reach home"
" we will spare her." answered the younger OF III
e. pirates.
II Then he drew thu taller man aside and held COZ
vsrsation with him, during which he spoke in apleaC
= ing voice.
" The other, 5wever, soon b 'oke away.
The sun Is down prep for dedttr'