The Portland daily press., 1874-08-22
side. Captain obediah skillins was by no

next, with movement like lightning, he
Strengthened his powerful arm; sharp thud
as his ponderous fist brought up on the
strangers nose, and that gentleman lay
sprawling upon the deck; in Their mo-
ment he was engaged in fierce struggle
with the other two men. Jake Pendegrast,
seeing the state of affairs, threw himself
wildly upon the combatants with a hand
spike and aimed furious blow at one of the
assailants, which would have ended his ca
reer forever, but, unfortunately, at that mo-
ment, Mr.. Baker, somewhat recovered from
the effects of Obediah's sledge-hammer fist,
staggered 20 his feet, and rushing forward
dealt Jake a swinging blow under the ear,
which causing him to swerve, the handspike
descended upon the head of Captain Skill
Inns and stretched him senseless upon the
deck. In another moment the two rema ain
ing hands were secured and all four found
themselves fast bound and gagged under the
lee rail. The boats crew were now masters
OF the schooner. At the first moment the
man on guard over the iron box had left his
pest and running aft seized the wheel, and
stitch of sail which the schooner could car
ry. Her masts bent like reeds, under the
| enormous pressure, and she sprang through
| the water like a race horse.
Mr.. Baker now directed one of his men to
| look after the wounded captain, who soon re-
| covered his senses under vigorous applica-
| ton of salt water from a bucket, ard strong
pull at his private bottle CT old Holland, which
| was produced for the purpose, and sitting up
| gazed about him. The sky was clear and
beautiful, with flood of sllvery light from
the full moon. However poetic the natural
| temperament of Captain Skillns might have
been, he was not, at that moment, absorbed
| by the fresh, sparkling beauty of the scene.
| The flash and CLEAN of tie moonlight as it
| danced over the ripping waves, and, catch
ing the flying spray under the bows changed
| it into cascade of purest siver-had no
charms for him. His first glance was at the
standing rigging, to see how it bore the I'M
| wonted strain The little craft was bowling
| along at terrific rate. The new commander
stood by the rail watching the cutter through
night glass, and smiled grmly as she grad
ually lost ground.
I'D pirates," growled O5ediah in his
throat-articulate speech being denied him
on account OF the gag, "I'll be even with
them yet, or my name Amt Obediah Skill
lins.''
HIS further meditations were cut short by
loud Crash and tearing sound as the foresai
fell and carried the topmast over the side.
The strain was too much and the backstays
snapped like tow. The flying jb came down
by the run, and dragging in the water carried
away the ib-boom close down to the cap,
Relieved suddenly of the pressure forward the
stern swung around bringing the schooner
Droadslde to the sea, and tremendous wave
swept over her, threatening to carry all be-
lore it. In moment all was confusion.
| Baker jumped aft and catching up an axe.
cut the mainsail halyards, bringing that huge
sail down Dy the run. The schooner swung
around head on, and drifted stern foremost
helplessly on the waves. Capt. Skillins
watched all this exhibition of seamanship in
silent rage, occasionally relieving his feelings
by an inarticulate oath as blunder after blum
|
y wreck. After vain endeavcr to set mat
tiers to rights, Baker approached Obediah, and
removing the gag from his mouth, said. Ia.
conically:
| "What now?"
| Unmindful of his grievances for the nonce.
and only anxious TO save what was left, Capt.
SkilliDs gave few rapid orders which soon
set matters partly in trim. The tangled and
broken rigging was cut away, the decks
cleared, and in short time the Turtle was
driving along under easy sail, with the cutter
rapidly overhauling her. Baker paced the
deck with rapid strides, casting frequent and
anxious glances toward the cutter, and Ohe-
dlah locked on and said not word.
His time was coming; he would soon show
these pirates few things-just wait till the
cutter comes within hail and then see. ssBy
jimminy-we'll see who's who if lose every
barrel OF rum in Maine," he muttered.
The cutter was now close under the lee
| quarter OF the schooner, and Obediah was
preparing to hail her, when figure was dim
ly seen in her weather rigging, and voice
came ringing across the water:
schooner ahoy!'
Before Captain Skillins could open his
mouth to reply, he felt pair of hands clasped
tightly across that capacious organ from be-
| hlnd, and at the same moment voice so ex
actly like his own that he started in some
alarm, answering with broad nasal twane.
"Hulloar'
What schooner is that?"
''Lively Turtle.''
Where from and whittier bound ?''
Bangor for Baltimore-pertate-e-e
Have you seen boat with four men in if
hereabouts? '
"Haow?''
Inc question was repeated with curse up
on the stupidity of the supposed Yankee skip
per.
mo; not as know on, Capting,' bawled
Baker.
"All right; want any help?''
mo, guess not; reckon we shall make
ous somehow
The cutter altered her course and was ran
Idly lost to view in the distance,
Il think you had better 90 below now. Can
tain, and turn in" said Baker and without
awaiting any reply he called to two of his men.
who assisted the captain below and deposited |
him in his bunk. Hewondered vaguely where
the wounded man was, but his head swan |
with pain and his eyes closed in spite of his
efforts to keep awake. In few moments be
was buried in profound sleep. Once lie had
an uneasy consciousness of some one coming
and holding light close to his face, and of a
woman, sitting at The table, talking earnestly
with Baker.
tell you, you shall not" said the
woman's voice, sharply, in his dream.
But Annette, listen to reason. Eyerv-
Thing may depend upon it." answered the
mans voice, and then he wandered away in
to deeper dreams till he was reused suddenly
by smothered shrek and starting up in his
bunk, all was dark. He listened iptently for a
moment, but his brain seemed to he like load