Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-02-07

| which / was prIze-maste-, and when |
ypplied, as I did in person, said he was
about sending for me, as he wished q
aoung and quick-witted man to command
the schooner, and he thought l would fill
the place. You know that it was a big
surprise to me but it is just what l have
been wishing for"
81 am glad you are pleased, Rob. How
long shall you be gomez"
"That eli depends, as the old ladies say
If am not captured, or sunk, or driven
in, and if men and provisions hold out,
shall try TO make six months cruise
"And the frigate yonderf"
81 am glad that know of her being 90
near, for knowing it, I don't fear her.
The schooner is q fast sa1ler, and she
can run closer to the wind than a ship,
so my chance 10 get out is good. But
Ruth, wish to ask you for something
dearer to me than even the fame l hope
to win" and Rob Wayne's voice grew
low and the tender light in his eys deep
ened as he took the girls hand, deepened
with luster that none but she had ever
seen, and which would deepen for her
alone. She recognized this and knew
! it's port, but she did not turn away, or
affect ignorance, for her soul was as true
as steel, and her womanhood as noble as
| her soul was true.
"What do you wish to ask of me Rob ~
she said.
81 have come to ask::for your love, Ruth,
for It is the one great hope of my life"
''It is not hard thing to grant, Rob,
for | gave it long ago. Have you not
seen that l loved your"
81 have thought and hoped, but we men
a az ha R6
And nov, are you willing for me TO sail
to- morrow"
eyes, for it is your duty. and though I
know that danger will beset your path, l
feel that gou will come back TO me-"
How brave and sweet she was, and it
was no wonder that Rob Wayne, her old
school mate and companion, should
cling TO Ruth Cooke, the squire's daugh-
ter, apd give her the best love that man
eau give, for she was winsCme and her
true womanliness won friendship from
all. ROB knew how great was the
treasure that he had won, and after q
little more talk about his cruise, he then
said:
''Let us go to the house, for wish to
tell your father of our betrothal and this
will be the only chance before 1 leave
port"
He helped her down from the rocks,
and with the dog running and barking
! before them, they went slowly up the hill
to the house.
Sand so Stephen browne has made you
skipper of the Wild Wave. and not con-
tent with that, you wish to have Ruth for
mater" said the old squire, when Rob
had toid him of his love. "Well, the girl
is old enough to answer for herself, but
[ warn you, Master Rob, that if you are
skipper at sea she will be skipper on
shore, so take her at your peril"
81 am willing to stand my chance,
sir"
"AH right. And how many guns and
men does the prIvateer carry?"
Twelve guns and 100 men, and she
rides well with them, as you can see."
Eyes, she rides the water finely, and
her skipper will give good account Of
her, know, for We all have confidence in
him. Don't be too modest Rob, for you
have only friends here in Elmsport."
81 will do the best 1 can, of that you
may be sura.'
~ know It my boy. At what time do
you sail?"
early tomorrow morning, if the wind
holds, L shall finish all preparations to-
night and you will see me outside of the
point by sunrise"
like wind will hold and I guess your
work Is pretty we'll advanced. Stay to
tea with us, and Ruth and you can have
the evening to yourselves. l know how
it is with young people, and 1 viii say
good night and God speed after supper is
finished"
1t was pleasant evening for Rob, and
| - h n n Ia%o haI n
few duties TO perform, he carried away
| treasure of happy memories to brighten
| his absence.
Both the old squire and his daughter
we're up early the next morning and met
In the room overlooking the south and
eastward sea sweep. The gale of the
previous day had qHieted down to a
strong aud steady breeze and the gulls
we're ciroiing off shore. The sky was
clear and the flush of the growing sun
| light was making land and water rich
with changing color, when the white
sails of the schooner forged slowly out
from behind the point.
Out in the offing the masts of the fri
gate doomed up against the sky, and fur
Their away three or four gilmmering
specks told of distant sails.
Ruth called her fathers attention to
them-he said:
"They are consorts of the frigate but
! they will not catch the bird they are
aster. Rob Wayne knows how to handle
all sorts of vessels and he will not be
shared so near home. He has the wind
of the fleet and he will keep It,"
The schooner had run out clear from
the land while be was talking and now
Ha, Ial hn foa
standing to the westward. When she
saw this the frigate in the ofing hogan
making sail signaling as she did so.
"Where is Rob going?" cried the ola
| squire. "They viii nave vessel up to
cut him of, if he does not have d good
care"
The schooner ran rapidly along the
shore and when opposite the house swung
out a flag, still holding her westward
| course.
81 don't underssa why Rob does this
unless it is his ORDERS" said the squire.
'Re will not be trapped, see the ships
are all standing to the west in chase"
The Wild Wave was sweeping on, car
rying all sail, and the vessels in the of
fing were crowding all canvass in chase.
| Suddenly, just as the vessel was hull
down, she tackled, and came rushing back
with the wind free, dashing the spray
from her ows as she sped along. The
! flag still fiuitered at her peak, and as she
went by the house it was dipped three
times Ruth ran out in the porch and
waved her handkerchief, and an answer
ing dip of the flag greeted her. Then the
| schooner hauled more to southwark aud
showed the harbor her heels, her baff1ed
| 70 ha