The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-05-15

aboard the Ninety-nine and for one
day be one of us-to-morrow what you
will"
What I will? What 1 will, Joan?
Do you mean it?"
Eyes. Pshawl Your duty? Don't
know how the ministers and the officers
have done their duty at Quebec? It's
all nonsense. You must make your
choice once for all now"
Lafarge stood moment thinking.
"Joan, I'll do it. I'd go hunting in hell
at your bidding. But, one thing. Ev-
erything's changed. 1 could not fight
against you, but I can fight for you.
All must be open now. You have said
there is no contraband on board Bien,
I'll tell Mr.. Martin so, but I'll tell
him also that you have only captain
and crew of two"
''Of three now!'
''Of threel 1 will do my duty in that,
then resign and come over to you, If 7
can"
"If you can? You mean that they
may fire on you?"
81 can't tell what they may do. But
I must deal fair"
Joan's face was grave. every well.
/ will wait for you here"
'They might hit you with their
rifles"
''Mais, no. They can't hit wall. Go
on, mon ami"
They saluted, and, as Lafarge turned
away, Joan said, with little mock
ing laugh: "Tell him that he'll sur
render, or we'll sink him before sup
per-"
Lafarge nodded and turned away
quickly toward the tug. His interview
with Mr.. Martin was brief, and he had
rendered his resignation, though it was
disgracefully informal, and not at all
to the right person, and was over the
side of the boat again and rowing
quickly away before his chief recovered
his breath. Then Mr.. Martin got
large courage. He called on his men
to fire when Lafarge was about two hun
dred and fifty feet from the tug. The
shots ratified about him. He turned
round coolly and called out: Coward
we'll sink you before support"
A minute afterwards there came an
other volley, and an oar dropped from
his hand But now Joan was rowing
rapidly towards him and in moment
was alongside. "Quick, jump in here"
she said. He did so, and she rowed on
quickly. Tarboe did not understand,
but now his blood was up, and as an
other volley sent bullets dropping
around the two he gave the Ninety
nine to the wind and she came bearing
down smartly on them. In few
moments they were safely on board
and Joan explained. Tarboe grasped
Lafarge's unnamed hand-the other
Joan was caring for-and swore that
fighting was the only thing left now.
Mr.. Martin had said the same, but
when he saw the Ninety-nine de-
termined, menacing and coming on he
became again uncertain and presently
gave orders to make for the light
house on the opposite side of the river.
He could get over first, for the Ninety
nine would not have the wind so
much in her favor, and there entrench
himself, for even yet Bissonnette
multiplied was in his mind-Lafarge
had not explained that away. He was
in the neighborhood of some sunken
rocks, of which he and his man
at the wheel did not know accurately,
and in making what he thought was
clear channel he took a rock with
great force, for they were going full
steam ahead. Then came confusion,
and in getting out the one boat it was
swamped and one man nearly drowned.
Meanwhile the tug was fast sinking.
While they were throwing off their
clothes the Ninety-nine came down and
stood off. On one hand was the enemy,
on the other the water, and the shore
half mile distant.
"Do you surrender" bawled out Tar
Doe.
"May we come on board without
that?" feebly urged Mr.. Martin.
'I'll see you damned first, Mr.. Mar
tin. Come, quick, or I'll give you what
for, as you are"
"We surrender" gently answered the
officer.
A few minutes later he and his men
were on board with their rifles stacked
in a corner at Bissonnette's hand.
Then Tarboe brought the Ninety
nine close to the wreck, and with his
little cannon put ball into her. This
was the finish. She shook her nose,
shivered beneath water, then she shot
down like duck and was gone.
Mr.. Martin was sad almost to tears.
"Now, my Beauties" said Tarboe,
''now that I've got you safe, I'll show
you the kind of cargo I've got"
A moment after he hoisted keg on
deck. "Thinls that's whislxyP" he
asked. Lift 1t. Mr.. Martin" Mr..
Martin obeyed. -"Shake it," he added.
Mr.. Martin did so. "Open it, Mr. Mar
tin" He held out hatchet-hammer.
The next moment a mass of gold Louis
yellowed to their eyes. Mr.. Martin
fell back, breathing hard
as that contraband, Mr. MARTINI"
'"rreasure-trove," humbly answered
the stricken officer. -