Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1881-02-25


been beaten down, that the pirates
held undisputed possession of the YES
sci.
While in Swatow the ships jolly
boat, or dingy, had been injured and.
since our departure, the carpenter had
been employed repairing her bottom, us
she lay inverted on the poop. knew
that | should not have time to lower
the gig when | heard the war cry
change to note of triumph. and | in
stinctively felt that our only chance of
escaping death lay in concealng our
selves beneath the little dingy, rs the
cabin and hold would be thoroughly
searched for plumber.
Crawl under, quickly. ! will fol-
low you," | whispered in the ear of the
terrified girl, as | raised the stern of
the light craft.
AS if mechanically, she obeyed me !;
then, with much difficulty, l managed
to creep under myself, and scarcely had
| Recovered our frail tenement to the
deck ere it was surrounded by horde
of mscreants, who were vociferatlng
loudly in their own vernacular
Even at this hour | shudder, when |
remember the agony of suspense | en-
dured during the short period the pi-
rates were engaged in ransacking the
ship. | cared not for my own safety;
thought only of the peril of the dear
girl who had been intrusted to my
keeping by her dying father. and reg
istered Il mental vow that rather than
permit her to fall prey to our ruthless.
sensuous foes, would deal her a death
blow myself. nerved myself for the
terrible task, for feared that the worst
would come. | opened the large blade
of my clasp-knife, and felt for vital
spot over her heart-that pure, warm
heart, in which | had hoped to some
day hold a place. AS | pressed my
hand upon her side, she seemed to di-
vine my purpose
"Slay me, if you love mew she mur-
as she kissed the sweat-drops
from my ice-cold brow.
Not yet, darling. God, in his mer-
cy, may preserve us both. Pray to
Him for aid" l whispered in reply.
1t soon became obvious that the pi-
rates had accomplished their work of
plunder and rapine, for ] heard a per-
son, who, from the tone of authority
in which he spoke, was evidently the
captain, direct his satellites to set fire
to the ship, and hurry back to their
own vessel. | welcomed this knowl-
edge, for | dreaded the subtle element
used to complete the work of demoli-
ton less than the demoniacal crew
who would have torn my darling from
me.
Soon the sound of FLASHING ores told
me that the pirated craft was speeding
away from the hapleSS vessel she had
destroyed, so cautiously uplifted the
dingy and crept from beneath her. A
bright glowing flame, shooting sky
ward from the fore-hatch, plainly in.
dicated how well the marauder-chiefs
mandate had been obeyed, and told me
in words of fire that | must imme-
diately bear LOttie from the Heather
Bell and trust to less greedy element
for safety. | Iquickly lowered the gig,
puV oiiO odllh vi CouChlllS CIlt water,
the pirates had STAYED in her bottom.
The increasing roar of the grasping
flames, that twined like glittering SER
pents up the shrouds and masts, in
spired me with extra energy. | up
lifted the dingy, and when Lottie
crawled from beneath it. with her as
Sistance, bore it to the taffrail. 1--WE
have no time to lower it; we must
launch it bodily" | said. Then we
urged it over the rail into the water
| caught my darling in my arms and
pressed kiss upon her lips. "Be not