The Delta independent., 1889-10-08

fighting men-not even sailors; Injured
to no hardship. but that OF sea-sick-
ness, and all OF Us wanted to get ho me
again safe and sound. We could see
four-and-twenty corses on our deck,
and We were to make the scene. 1t
was an hour of terrible trial. We
looked for u means of escape. Had
there been stone wall, fence, u
wood. or even flew trees, we might
have had some hope; but nothing of
the kind was to be seen. Only that
endless, boundless waste all about us!
We had our limbs free and strong
only cooped within those fatal limits.
Another shot struck the water along
side, and sent the spray dashing upon
deck. The pursuer lost something in
distance by thus firing for she had no
bow port, and consequently had to
yaw in order to bring her guns to
bear. 1t was just one o'clock. when
she had more than gained all she had
lost by firing, and Mt that time she
fired the fourth gun. The ball struck
the main throat halyards, and the sail
was on the next instant tapping.
1--WE are lostr gasped Paine, as he
saw what had happened.
And SO it would seem, for our head
way was checked. and before we could
splice the halyard the pirate would be
up with us. We had turned our eyes
over the taffrail, and there was the
villain, not over mile distant, his
deck bristling with men, and their pol
ished arms plainly to be seen. But
while we were thus lost in fear, Capt.
johnson and Frost the latter was the
seaman we had engaged) had spliced
the halyards, and the gaff of the main
sail was again in its place. Hope had
once more ditwned dimly on our deck,
when savage messenger came and
drove it away. The pursuer was now
within a quarter OF q mile. and as the
smoke curled up again from her gun,
Il round shot and Il stand OF grape
came upon us-the former carrying
away our fore-topmast, and the latter
tearing the throat of our foresail in
pieces.
'.By heavens, boys. let's not die
like cowards!" cried johnson. 1--WE
have guns on board-muskels- which
we brought to shoot birds with. We
ought to have thought of them before;
but it is not too late now Let's load
'em Mt once, and when we've fired 'em
we can use 'cm for clubs"
We had taken lot OF fowling- pieces
with us, and in few moments they
were brought upon deck, and each man
requested to take one and load it. /
was fear struck-I acknowledge it
very much so-blt yet know there
was smile upon my face rs l looked
around upon some OF my companions.
whose excited fears had also quite un-
manned them.
In ten minutes from the time our fore
alongside. uttered one prayer, gave
one thought to home and friends. ard
then turned to the coming enemy. Our
vessel had broached to. and as we lay
with our heid half up to the wind. the
pursuer came up under our lee quarter.
|
were upon my deck. Hooked at them,
and their leader recognized. ! had
known him on board tho old Brandy.
| wine.
'Rogers!" gasped, starting forward.
| "What-old mate-is this you?" he
returned, grasping my hand. "Bu:
this schooner"
1.-The Othello" answered. I'VE
are on a pleasure trip. And that
schooner?" added.
"Why, is the United States schooner
Grampus, and am commander. What
n precious fool I've made myself! |
was sent after pirate. chased him
from Trinidad aud lost HIM off Saint
Domingo. May be blessed il didn't
think you were the same chap. You
look as like him as one pea from an
other"
..And we took you for tho same fel.
low" ! said. We had had II descrip.
tion of her, and you came up to it SO
well we thought it safe to run"
A hearty laugh followed this strange
and bloodless denouement and after
all was understood, we sat down md
had a social chat together, while the
carpenters of the Grampus were fixing
our fore-topmast. Rogers settled with
johnson for the damage done, and by
three o'clock we started In company for
the coast Of Hayti.
The rest OF our cruise we performed
yvithouf much eycjtarnant md In f,ot
we needed none, for that race for life
was enough, and has afforded food for
conversation and laughter ever since.
--Yankee Blade.