The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-03-19
1rAEKRy NEMa0IE'

when they came on board. I never saw
MIN before or since, but shall not for
get his face while live
He was short and stood very square
and sturdy upon his feet; he had Jet
black hair and eyebrows, and a swarthy
red color in his cheeks; his lips were
pushed forward, and his eyes very
nerce; he was like a man always on the
point OF speaking angrily, and follow
ing with blow. When we saw him
looking so bold and full of force, we
guessed In moment what he was there
Tor. He had volunteered, when all :he
regular pilots hung back, to take the
first ship down.
Il remember the captain called out,
NOW, gentlemen, the Edgar leads! and
we cheered. The dark man went to the
wheel, the master himself took the lead
and went forward; we weighed, and
stood right out for the entrance of the
Kings channel.
The two lieutenants who had to
stand In the chains and see to the heav.
ing OF the lead began to dispute for
places; they were each claiming the
iarboard side, which was the one ex-
posed to the enemy's fire. The captain
gave 1t In favor Of Bradnock, and he
went forward. laughing.
we soon came within shot of the
first Danish ship. and she began firing
single guns at us. was not tall enough
10 see over the hammock MEETINGS. so
held on to them and pulled myself up
on my toes. The enemy were nearly all
hulks and batteries, and looked yery
ugly.
every time gun went boom! I
felt kind Of warm shock, as II had
been struck amidships, but my hands
were still cold and numbed, I louced
desperately to hear the sound of our
own guns. and felt quite angry that we
went on without firing shot.
Then was going toward the fore
castle when heard sudden roar and
crashing sound. It was the first
broadside from the Provestein, and a
good many shot struck the ship all at
once.
"Bradnock spun over and fell dead In
heap across the chains; the splinters
flew all round him, and several men
came running UP. I heard Wilson. the
starboard lieutenant, cry out, MY
turn! in sharp voice. and scramble
on to the deck and across into the 9TH
er's place.
Il felt horribly sick and dazed, and
hurried away blindly. without any idea
where was going. had got nearly
to the quarter deck when q man ran
Into me. and reeled violently Off into
the captain himself. who had Just come
down the ladder. hadn't time to get
my breath to apologize; he picked me
up and clapped my cap down on nv
head.
We'll. young gentleman he said
I thought you were a round shot at the
least?'
II was warmer for the tumble. and
his kind, jolly voice did me no end Of
good. He sent me with a message to
the lower gun-deck, and ran or feel
ing quite man again.
"As was on the way down a tre-
mendous explosion seemed to rock the
whole ship; we had let 90 our anchor
and opened with the larboard broad
side. felt suddenly mad with toy.
my throat swelled, and the tears came
into my eyes. When I reached the low
| er deck the guns were being run out
for the second time. and stood stlll
to watch. The roar was awful, and the
smoke filled the whole place SO that /
could scarcely see at first. The men
were cheering and working like demons
| In the dim lantern light, but as only one
broadside was in action lot Of them
had nothing to do except now and then
to pick up the wounded and take their
places. Some Of them might have been
safe enough behind the bits, but there
was only room there for a few, and no
one would take an advantage over the
rest.
1T was dreadful to see them standing
! quietly there to be killed in cold blood
as it were. Half dozen dead and dy-
ing men were propped up against the
starboard guns; some were being car
ried below to the surgeons.
81 couldn't bear the sight much long
er, so slipped quickly down the Other
side to speak to the captain Of the deck.
Before got to him a chain-shot cut him
in two. and killed all the men at the
| gun next him.
'The heat and smoke and the smell of
blood made me dizzy again, so I gave
my orders to the second in command
and hurried back to the captain.
Il found him telling the pilot that he
might go below, but the man refused,
and stayed on deck. staring fiercely
through the smoke at the enemy. saw
him still there when the firing ceased,
and he seemed actually sorry that the
action was over. wish could give
you an idea Of how his look worked
upon me; could hardly take my eyes
off him; and though I've really very
little to Judge by, as you see. feel sure
I've never met his equal for desperate
| courage" G>.
What was his name?" asked camil-
la, who had been listening. GREATNESS.
tombstone"
HE was English. then?" said the
colonel.
mo. he was half Scotch, half Span
ish; his full name was Herman John
stone. and he was said to be a we'll
known smuggler."
did you ever hear Of him AGAIN."
Yes" replied Dick. II did, more than
once; for instance. heard that he tried
to kidnap Bonaparte. when he was al
Flushing. by running down his barge
In fast rowing boat"
"Ah" said the colonel, with an IN.
voluntary start. "'that Ia q very sin.
okr