Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-08-03
A NORWEGIAN BRIG.


and privateering was almost impossible,
for cruise was pretty sure to come to an
end in the Plymouth prison. So nearly all
the French ships lay summing themselves
at thei- moorings, like so many rotten old
hulks. But few gallant fellows were still
cruising on the high seas and giving the
Englishmen an occasional shot by way Of
revenge and in order to keep in practice.
One Of these, Captain Kerkof. true Bre-
ton, hard featured and swarthy, In spite Of
the Englishmen was roaming the North
sea In his pretty schooner, the Sans Quar-
tier, with his eye on the wind and his hands
In his own pockets, In default of others.
It was a day Of dense fog, and the horizon
was shadowy, but suddenly the captain
saw the ghostly form of brig cleaving the
fog and standing on course nearly parallel
TO his own.
At the same moment the lookout cried:
sail on the starboard quarterl'
"What fool of "A skipper dares come with
In gunshot of the Sans Quartieri" roared
Kerkof. IF he's an Englishman, we'll give
him trip To France for the good OF his
health. Come, my lads, clear the decksl
Crowd all sail and send the stranger our
card, for we privateers must be polite. above
all else"
The next instant ball from one of the
schooner's guns plunged through the fog
and pierced the rigging Of the mysterious
brig
There was moment of suspense, but the
stranger had evidently understood this po-
lite invitation to show her colors, for a
small English flag soon ran up halyard
and fiuttered at the briggs peak.
"GoodP cried Kerkof, calmly filling his
pipe.
''To your guns, my lads. but don't fire
until give the word"
The Sans Quarter changed her course
slightly and bore down upon her prey with
outspread wings, like a cormorant.
The situation Of the brig seemed desper-
ate, as the point for which she was max
ing would evidently be reached by the Sans
Quarter at the same time. 80 that the
stranger was running straight into the
range Of her formidable adversary's guns.
She kept ON her course, however, and as
she grew more distinct an expression of
wonder overspread the faces of Kerkof and
his crew.
"What kind Of ship is thati" said the
captain.
'Did you ever see such a rig, my ladsi
She doesn't carry sail enough to cross
she goes, making a good 12 knots before
our eyesl I'll be hanged II ! can under
stand It"
The crew answered only by mods and
oaths and the like symptoms Of surprise
and terror.
But the preparations for attack went on.
lighted matches.
Attention. suddenly cried Kerkof,
springing into the nettings "Ship> or
shadow, we'll send volley into her. Now
we're in line. Ready, my meni Firep'
A terrible detonation shook every timber
Of the Sans Quarter
When the smoke cleared away, the men
gazed in amazement at the spot where the
brig had been. She had vanished.
''Sunkp' cried dozen voices.
''Silence, foolsl' roared Kerkof
With an air OF stupefaction, he scanned
the sea in all directions. All eyes followed
his, and soon there rose a chorus Of oaths,
for the brig, dimly seen through the fog,
was scudding away far to larboard and
with all sails furled.
Fire againI' cried Kerkof in hoarse,
unnatural voice.
The second broadside was given with less
precision than the first, for the strange
sight had lured some Of the gunners froL
their posts.
The brig was too far away to be affected
by the ragged volley and was soon lost to
sight i'm the fog.
Kerkof, leaning against the nettings, was
still staring in amazement at the spot where
she had vanished when the boatswains
voice reused him from his stupor
Captain"
"Wellp"
"Captain, did you see that brigi"
"Of course did, you idiotp
well, captain, may the devil fly away
with me If she isn't the very one we sunk
In the channel a year ago this blessed day."
"Whatp'
"Yes, captain, year ago today. 1t was
Good Friday, you know. Perhaps the
crew were not prepared for death, and they
have come back to ask our prayers for the
repose Of their souls"
"You are an Internal foolr'
"Well, maybe / am, captain" The old
sailor retired slowly shaking his head, and
Kerkof resumed his revery.
The sun went down, and the privateer
kept on her course with favoring wind.
Suddenly the men, who had been dis
cussing the strange occurrence, set up q
great shout.
Kerkof raised his head and recoiled in as
tonishment.
Close on the port bow stood the strange
brig, with all sails furled, but keeping even
pace with the schooner. A torrent of smoke
and fame poured from great black cylin-
der amidships.
"The brigI' gasped a voice near Kerkof.
"Brig or devil, to your guns and firep'
The terrible brig seemed to have heard
this hoarse and broken command, for she
bounded forward, crossed the schooner's
bows and soon disappeared to starboard.
She passed so close to the Sans QUARTER
that the roaring of the flames was heard,
and through the portfolios was seen fierce
ly blazing fire, with fantastic human fig
ures moving about in its ruddy light.
Not word was spoken aboard the
Frenchman. The crew fell on their knees.
For full 10 minutes Kerkof knelt, with
head barred and his rosary In his hands.
Several days later the Sans Quarter
made Breton port. Kerkof and his crew
never knew what had frightened them 80
badly, but about this time the English
newspapers announced the arrival at Lon
don Of a steamboat hailing from Norway.
This was the first vessel propelled by
steam that had traversec those waterA-
Translated For Romance
Not Subject For Prayer.
A worthy man, who was very sensitive and
retiring, having lost his wife, privately re-
cuastad that he MIGHT be rpmen lered In