Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-05-12
TOM CRAB;
Or, An Old Salt, Afoat and Ashore
Y GUS. MSTOCK.
ROGER sTARBUcB.)
CHAPTER |

Down from aloit, like the aroff scream Of bird in
the air, came the cry OF sail q ~
He who uttered ita tall swarthy fellow stood bend
ing forward from the main.top- gallant mast his long,
seIpentine body swayng to and ro, away up IN the
golden mist.
Tho ship was the "St George English merchant
man, Capt Band, bound from London TO New York
the suahonten leagues or so northwest OF the Azores,
or Western Islands.
"whereaway Tom" shouted Captain Band, through
his trumpet
of there In the edge OF the fog,n
The skipper soon bad his glass To his eye
She Is under full sail, and bearing down upon us"
he said TO his mate; "a craft low in the water and
schooner should think although the mist is thick
theIe.away, that can't make out distinotyn
"Will you lei me look through your glass " inquired
o deep, manly voice when turning, che Captain
ironed Richard Merton-a young man, an American
Who with his sister, had taken passage for home in this
vessel
A hsndsomer fellow than Richard Merton could
scarcely be imagined He was fair and broad shoulder
ed, With deep, round chest firmly knit limbs good
complexion, spirited, brown eyes dark, wayy hair ;
moustache and noble welleut features, expressive Of
mingled genteness and resolution.
To describe his sister, who now stood by his side we're
a more difficult task
With features, regular, yet full of eyer.varying
expression with the rounded graces OF supple, mag
nhoent form, she rivaled the Ft1us he Hsdici, and
might have stirred the heart Of an anchotite.
Watching her brother as he looked through the Cap
tan's glass, Grace Merton noticed that he said
thing in a low voice to the Captain.
"Ay, ay, SIR answered the latter 81 perceived it,
but didn't like do you TO speak Of it before the
young lady"
The words were too low for Grace to hear but accus
toned womanlike. to study the expression OF faces
she at once OWNED that something was wrong.
Now her curiosity was aroused aud she would give her
brother peace until at last she drew from him the
fact that the stranger had suspicious look and
doubtless a French privateer or pirdtel
As France and England we're then at war the crew
could expect no quarter from their foes, II pirates
There were, however plenty of muskets cutlasses
and pistols, aboard the st George, beside couple OF
nne Founders while the Captain and crew were brave
men and Richard Merton having had experience IN
the Anne rlCan Navy, sailing master,c material
On the other hand. the Freuchman probably had
good guns aboard aud could n he wished, get near
enough 10 the English craft TO SINK her with a few
Captain Band resolved to keep far enough of il pos
sibe, 70 avoid such catastrophe which, however, he
did NOT fear as the trenchman, if a ireeboot- would
wish 10 get possession OF his cargo
"Ay. ay :" exclaimed the mastheader, who had
bluess, shipmates don't like the idee OF rghtir'
them trenchers rs they did us good saruce In tie
"Now io1keo here Tom Crab Z" exclaimed the Cap.
tain who being midshsps had heard what he said.
You're auhec, know, hut blast me 10 won't run
son through If you back down when the lighting be.
Captain" answered Crab drovingu MP his long SER.
Eenuue body to iis full height YOU nignt rn7 me
through aud hrous but wouldn't hit hand against
them chaps unless choosed ,h
The loud voices drew Morton to the spot
What Is the suhIeF
THIS man says he won't fight" answered Band,
"CHe TACT is inst mere" answered Crab thrustipE s
eyes apart like pMr OF compasses III them chaps is
pirates III fight but If they amt nothn but cruisers
lgin the English flag don't hit hand
This "a mo, YOUR Captain reared Band
Leave MIN To me- said Merton. You are an Amer,
can turning To Crab
guess y1n are, too, an'tye"
Soon | Tom Crab Of S1G Hsrbor al your saryice.
who is sound the Stars and Stripes as he is on the
hasy pptdin and pumpkin pie question:
h.Got from me stranger. now less than mile OIL
passed with wh2ziug sound over the speakers head
UP went the French ilHc 10 her gaH- above that a
blaes one, hoiSted the nest moment, proclaf . the
"A right cried Crab bucsling his belt rouud his
waist 'that determines me I'm always ready 70 tght
Merton went forward. and attended 10 the pointing
OF the two nine FOUNDERS, which. being wollaimed
ornusht down when discharged the treuchman's fore
- STEADY hoWled Band now hoping to escape
STEADY AZ that wheel !"
Meanwhile, Grace Merton, in the cabin whittier she
had been conducted by her brother, was upon her
knees, Der face bowed on her hands silently PRAYING
terrific crash suddenly brought her 10 her feet
inst as large splinter flew past her head and striking
mirror, shattered the glass 70 fragments
The m'zzen mast bad been struck and Just knocked
20 pieces vac wreoS lay alongside, dragging the vessel
Captain Band seiEine an az. sprsng TO clear il. when
anohsr ball irom the enemy carried his head Of his
IAN unfortunate circumstance z" said Tom Crab
cooiA as picking M the az, be dashed aft and pro.
The trepchmAn nov was booming along as II intend.
lng 10 strike the vessel amldsbips, her booms and
aENos awe WIN httteOohlng fellows, armed TO the
teeth and cheering after the usual manner of French
mon, as they approached
Before the wretk could be cleared the French YES
sei came aIougsde hitting up with her canvas rafting
shon some sixty boardCrs sprung aboard
desperate combat now took plsce rs the French.
men 20 upon their ices sh. ing mo quarter ~
The tnglishmens crew, thirty 10 number heated hy
Morton and the mate, fought Ike Hons
Inc other party wore leo by Young man Of singular
beauty tanoiiuly atirred, and Is another ian f,l
low, almost as DARK a Malay
Many Tell ou both sides The EppIiabrnep fsurht
vita then usual dogRed resolution, their grim faces