The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-06-06
around the strange craft, headed az

manded, and ask her name.
In a few minutes the response was
given from the strange vessel:
The Strayer, of New Bedford"
Never heard of such a vessel" NUT
tered the captain to his first officer.
No one seemed familiar with the
name.
Where are you bound?" signaled
the officer from the Alice.
The reply was uncertain and was
very unsatisfactory. The next ques-
ton was no better.
There is something wrong about
that ship" emphatically said the cap
tain. If she isn't pirate, l miss my
guess. How can we make her show
her colors?"
IF we turn out to sea and give her a
race until we get plenty of sea room,
she will make us lose the race with the
Flyer" said the first officer, in reply.
And if we run straight into her,
she will not only make US lose the race,
but our lives as we'll"
The vessels were drawing closer now,
and the captain could inspect the decks
of the strange craft. Surely, the
black objects lodging down behind the
bulwarks were men trying to conceal
themselves from view.
That settles it," shouted the cap
tain.
He gave the necessary orders, and in
minute the Alice had changed her
course, and was now running parallel
with the strange vessel toward the open
sea directly out of her proper course.
Wen soon know the worst"
1t did not take long to find this out.
As the Alice slowly crept ahead of the
other vessel, puff of smoke came
from the latter's side and a cannon
ball whizzed across the clippers prov.
AHA! Now we know you" grimly
exclaimed the captain. THE game is
up"
The pirate no longer tried to conceal
anything. The black flag was run up,
and lively race began. The pirate
sent many balls chasing after the clip
per, but the distance was too far to do
much damage. The pirate was no
mean antagonist, and she chung closely
to the heels of the flying Alice.
Night came on and the chase was
still desperate. 1t was cloudy night
and intense gloom settled over the
water.
III risk everything now to win the
race" the captain said. Il shall cut
across the pirates bow, or die in the
attempt. We've lost whole day"
The wind was brisk, and when the
Alice lay over on her new course, she
seemed to strain every nerve to make
up for lost time. TIE captain ordered
the sailors to bring several chests of
tea on deck, and then all the gunpow-
der that could be found. This amounted
only to several kegs.
Well be prepared for an emer-
gercy," he muttered as he gave orders.
A hole was bored through the top of
each chest, and part of the tea taken
out. Then the hole was filed with
powder, and closed up again. A light
fuse of newspaper was attached. Each
chest, when finished, was placed along
the sides OF the vessel, ready for instant
use.
Now Well fight dying" muttered
the captain.
No one knew his plan, although not
q sailor doubted but it was a desperate
one.
All that night they sailed rapidly
along, but did not encounter the pirate.
Toward morning, before light broke in
the east, they were well back into their
old course.
EEINo',-a ,NoecoI tLo,,, ~, h. IL,
the captain was saying, with a grim
smile.
But just as he spoke, the lookout re-
ported a sail standing out OF the dark
ness almost upon them. The lights
were shining very dimly from the mast
head. The vessel was running parallel
with them.
Its the pirate, SRA she's after
us" shouted the lookout.
stand ready, then. to light those
chests of tea and drop them into the
sea. What fool to show her lights"
In an instant every sailor compre-
hended the captains plan, and jumped
forward with alacrity to perform their
part in it, By throwing the light tea
chests overheard with the fuses on
fire, they would soon have series Of
explosions around the pirate ship that
mus t eventually set her on fire. 1t was
the captains idea to let her get close
to them before acting.
Not so fast"' he ordered the sailing
master. Let her get closer. She can
overhaul us with her guns, and we may
as well let her catch up"
The Alice moved slower, while the
| pirate vessel stole down upon her rap
/ idly. When within two cables length
the order was given sharp and clear:
Light the fuses and drop the chests
overheard carefully!'
| A sailor fourished an oil torch over
his head and applied it to the iirst fuse.
The chest was dropped into the sea and
foated slowly behind with it's banner
Of blazing light. The second and third
ones were touched and were carried to
the sides of the vessel.
Great heavens, captain, Stop the
first officer suddenly shouted, detain-
ing the man. ITS not the pirate, sir!
It's the Flyer
Every man stood still with consterna-
ton. The lights were eXtinguished,
hut the first chest exploded SO close to
the side of the Flyer that the fire near
| " scorchod tho soi1C