Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-12-31

A ""'"ou S'Vt w icoWuFu. tue VIM rOS
to howl. the white foam OF tho water
cleaned through tho darkness, and
with the gnle now OF our weathe
quarter, wa toro along at rapid rate
The main-mnst, my tallest spur. wa
very weak. and when at length rath
or heavy sea set the ship to rollin,
and plunging. / feared every momen
to sec II go by the board.
Meanwhile had been Watching the
distant schooner by the electric g,eam
that still broke occasionally over the
wntcrs. She was us sharp as sword
fish. had suspicious look. and sooI
had reason TO regret my obstinancy IL
not taking Shclburne's advice. for sud
denly, saw her alter her course, and
head straight for us!
She was not a mile distant, and with
the aid Of e powerful, n.gh.g,ass, TO-
gether with that afforded by the light.
ming. | soon beheld her crowns fierce q
looking set Of rascals as ever manned q
lawless craft for that she wns pirate
there now was no room to doubt
Ay. thcre on her deck they we're,
about sixty tall. robust follows. armed
with dnggers. kreescs and pistols.
thrust In sashes about their loose
trousers. with their open Jackets above
flying back from their brawny bosoms,
and their red and yellow caps pushed
away from their low. broad ioreheads
They mad guns, too, small guns-four
cight-pouuders on side and ono for
ward-looking ugly enough TO annoy
me, whom consider that aboard this
bulk OF a merchant ship there was
only one old twelve-pounder, and also
when ! remembered having heard that
the Mindanayans make good seamen
and know how TO handle their pieces
like trnined gunners
The schooner was running along
close 10 the wind. but she walked up
almost into It's very teeth. and ! be-
lieved that the next tack would enable
her to reach US. which her captain was
evidently in hurry to do, as the gale
was now bowling, and the thunder rat
Ting over our heads In way which
boded heavy tempest.
Presently l saw Miss Melton come
up from the cabin. She looked alarmed
on hearing the frequent repetition OF
the word pirates" among our men,
and ! was somewhat nettled 10 see her
go over TO the side OF my midshipman,
rs II Ae were the one on whom her sal
vation depended. My orders were
quickly given, tho ship was got
round. and away we went on tho
starboard tack. Thcn there came
u forcible reminder TO us from our pur-
suer that We must not hope TO escape
SO easily. In the shape OF an eight
pound shot. which. after viciously
knocking chip from the cabin-housc
almost into my eye, went buzzing on.
and neatly took of the mizzen jury
mast, bringing down hamper and all
about Miss Melton's ears. with
4 nying rope whipping the feather
from her hat as cleanly us II II were
cat on with knife.
As the tapping canvas almost dashed
her of her feet she shrieked. and then
| saw Shc.burne actually put his arms
around her. and almost carry her to
the compunlonway., gently requesting
her TO 60 below, out OF danger.
"0h" she softly cried land youf"
MY place Is on dock" he gently
-nswcred; and then this is what said
and ! ratified IL out like musket
shot:
"0f course Il Is! Do your duty. sir!
Clear away that wreckage at once!"
''Ay. ny. sir" he replied; and he
loon got some OF the hands to clear
lway tho hamper that obstructed the
ieclf.
Meanwhile there was the pirate
,anging away. rs II he had not mo-
nent to spare. and down went our fore
falling over the side in
low and easy sort OF fashion. for all
he world like an invalid gentleman
n his night-gown, going to bed. The
light was exasperating. and. rs soon
IS the wreck was cleared away got
he old twelve-pounder into position.
md at the next lightning.aash. gave
he order 10 fire.
With loud metallic ding-dong, the
,iece at once exploded. and when saw
low the men scrambled and tumbled
,vcr one another. In their necessary
taste to escape the flying fragments,
which did not go within four feet OF
hem, was disgustod. called the
nen together and had Shnlburne dis
ribute arms TO them; but noticed
hat tho Spaniards all looked dis
mayed. Meanwhile perceived that
'ur sloop-oi-war's light seemed to be
ecedIng from instead OF advancing TO-
vard us. In fact. at her distance from
IS, and owing 10 her boing 10 wind
yard. also owing to tho bowling OF tho
,ale and TO the almost inccssant rat
ing oi tuo tnuuuoFs ~ "uo o'ttcue
hat none OF hor people had heard the
ring, while the pirate craft being
cry small and on line with our own,
lad not. OF course. been seen by them.
"a pity we have no rockets aboard
o signal tho sloop WITH" l said TO
'helburne.
"Yes, sir, 1t Is. All that we had
we're ruined by that clumsy Portu-
,uese cook accidentally spilling n
,oiler OF hot water on them, thus soak
ng them. and causing them 10 go 70
,ieces."
1--WE must contrivo TO signal the
rigate, and that speedily" | said.
II doubt II a signal would be visible
It all from our deck, now that the
pray is flying up so high about us 1t
must be made aloft, Have a lantern
brought hIre ut once"
The lantern was brought
gnzed up at the mainmast, our only |
emaining spar II was tottering
vith every plunge OF the ship. us II
eady TO go over, while the iron mis-
lies from the pirate. who was aiming
or II. now whizzing md shrieklng