The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1894-01-27
gion was not strong, however, and pi-

EloA was hol StEOIIS, ~lOSfcSCE, anu III
ratical depredations still continued.
What a prize would be our brig, drift
ing surely into their clutches and half
manned with fellows as villainous a,
themselves, and willing to share thu
spoil.
For nearly an hour we had beer
pitching and rolling and drifting, unit
now we could discern through the dark
ness the breakers tossing their white
foam not more than 4 quarter Of a
mile away, and besides them the
threatening cliffs.
Let go the drag" yelled the cap.
tain, and the anchor shot over the bow,
but at fun cable length, and failed to
touch bottom. by GEORGE" he ex.
claimed, Eve been In tough places be.
fore, but this beats them all. We're q
goner, sure
Nearer and carer we drifted, with
nothing but the chance Of our anchor
gripping between is and death. Pres.
emily the captain, pointing shortward,
shouted: Look there!.'
The moon shining out for a moment
between the scudding clouds. revealed
the shore swarming with Riff savages,
eagerly awaiting our destruction.
"TOm," said he, run below and see
what you a raise in the way Of fire
arms. and bring them on deck at once"
Little use, Pm agraid, sir, against
these rocks"
"Wcll. there's q bare chance of our
anchor biting yet, and, besides, I don't
like the looks Of that knot of fellows
forward there. There's only one boat
aboard that's good for anything in such
a sea as this. and we must at all haZ-
ards prevent those scoundrels from
taking it,"
| went below, and rummaging around
| found a couple of old muskets and a
fowling piece. These, with sufficient
ammunition for a dozen rounds apiece,
| carried on deck. I had awakened the
captains wife while below, and she fol-
lowed me up.
"Oh, John" she cried, when she saw
the threatening rocks toward which we
were rapidly drifting, this is terrible,
terrible!!"
Cheer up, lass, we must hope for
the best. Here, you take this, Jennie"
said the husband, offering her the fowl
ing piece, you have done we'll with It
against sea birds, now try it on sea
savages.'
She hesitated.
Nay, lass" he continued, somewhat
sternly, there's no place here for wo-
manly scruples; when the time comes
you must shoot, and shoot to kill. Take
it. I say"
With an effort she controlled herself
and accepted the lighter Weapon, while
he and l took each a musket.
or q sudden the anchor bit and held
firmly, and the brig was brought up
with such a jerk that we We're all
thrown to the deck.
The Wreckcrs on the shore were get
ting impatient, and a number Of them
had hauled a long boat from some hid
den cave in the cliff. Another O fol-
lowed. and both were rapidly manned.
Each Riffian was armed to the teeth,
and little r,ercy might be expected
from them if we should fall into Their
clutches
Stand back there yelled the cap
tain. suddenly.
musket at som thing to the forechains.
Happening to glance forward he had
discovered the Portuguese fellow en-
.deavoring stealthily to cast off the
board end of Il cable, so as to send
us on the rocks.
The rascal saw that he was covered
By the captains gun and sneaked scowl
ingly into the forecastle. The old crew
were now called aft and detailed to
stand guard. two near the windlass
and two beside the long boat.
During this interval our eyes had
been turned from the shore, and when
looked again the two boats were
well under way. Sweeps We're got out,
two on each side. and manned by great,
muscular barbarians.
Fortunately for us. their clumsy fire.
arms and the tossing Of their galley
made it almost useless for them to at
tempt to do lis injury ut any distance.
So we thought it wise to wait until
they came we'll within range. when, at
the shippers command, Jennie fired.