The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1890-02-12
No. 36

and fore-masts of the enemy could
be seen. Now, however, they were
not more than half league of, and
by some skillful shots, Will succeed
ed in crippling two of them, by
bringing down the fore topsail yard
of one and the for-topmast of an
other. But even while he Joined in
the cheers of his little party, a spite
full shot struck him slantingly in the
side. and he fell bleeding to the deck.
In moment, Charlotte was kneel-
ing by him, giving him water.
sTake him into the cabinls she
then ordered, in clear voice.
He was carried there, and laid on
lonnge, his wife carefully ar
rangeing pillow under his head.
There was a good doctor aboard, and
while he was dressing the wound,
Charlotte bathed the sufferers fore
head and gave him cooling drinks.
"WouId not he be more comforta-
Bile in his berth27 she inquired.
zsHe must not be moved at pres
ent, was the doctors answer. at
would be his death to move him
now
Tears came to the young woman's
eyes; her lips quivered.
''Don't worry, Charlotte" said
Will, in faint voice.
Knowing it distressed him to
witness her grief, she wiped away
her tears. Then she kissed him,
and continued to bathe his head.
Above, the booming of guns and
the bowling of shot became every
moment nearer and louder.
A minute later, nine men-all
that We're left of the young Cap
tain's crew-rushed into the cabin.
ats all up with us" said one,
lifting his cap. "The pirates'll soon
be aboard of us; but the fog has
thickened so that we may escape
in one of the boats. We can put
the Captain in the boat, ma'am,"
he added, addressing Charlotte.
"No, it would kill him to move
him." spoke up the doctor. "But
you had better go" he added, turn
ing to the young wife.
"Whatl leave my husband2" she
said.
"You can do him no good, for the
pirates will not spare you. The
rascals will show no quarter either
to man or woman. All that can be
done for him has been done, and"
Ere the doctor could conclude
shot came whizzing through the
cabin window, severely wounding
both of his legs above the knees.
"Come, ma'am, Gomez cried the
sailor who had previously spoken.
81 will not leave my husband"
was Charlotte's answer.
Unable to persuade her to go, all
the seaman except one, who declar-l
ed that he would not desert craft
that woman "stuck to-" made for
the boat, assisting the groaning
doctor into it, after which, screened
by the smoke and fog, they pulled
away from the inperiled ship.
The solitary sailor took his place
at the wheel. Then he noticed
that there was a slight change of
wind, causing the nearest pirate to
tack so as to "fe:ch" the Columbia.
Through the drapery of fog he
could dimly see the vessels fore
yards swing round.
"Ma'am," he called in compan-
ionway, "I think if / could brace
the yards a little we might have a
slim chance of slipping off, and
showing our heels to them human
sharks; but it needs some one at
the wheel while l am doing the
bracin' for the wind has freshioned."
81 will take the wheel, !" answered
Charlotte, quickly, "and try TO save
my husband"
She ran on deck, and the sailor
having shown her the course TO
steer, she seized the wheel. Then
the tar hurried to brace the yards,
for the shots were now coming very
fast, and he was anxious to relieve
Charlotte from her perilous position
as soon as possible. A few vigorous
pulls on the lee braces brought the
yards to the required slant; but as
the man was about to take the wheel
again, a heavy splinter, knocked
from the rail by a shot, struck him
on the temple, laying him dead at
the young wife's feet.
"Now, God help me- cried the
brave woman, ''to steer Alright, and
save my noble Will"
With firm hanHs ~ .st-a q,