The times., 1897-05-09
The Adventure of a MidShipman
in the Old Navy.
WHERE AMERICAN PLUCK TOLD
A Daring Rescue Despite Boat
I.oad of Pirates-Some New No-
tions of NJ. Quad-The Arizona
Kicker and MIR. Bowzer-A Poor
Shot.


warm sultry aay. but now as twilight
succeeded glorious sunset, light breeze
famed the heated brows of the men who
were longing about the deck.
Capt Morgan, the commander. was pae-
ing the quarterback, fretting over the
forced inactivity. He had pursued pirat-
ical schooner, which had been preying on
our merchantmen, 10 these waters. but tie
pirate had escaped him. The captain felt
certain, however. that his prey lay in one
OF the numerous coves nearby, huden from
prying eyes by the towering crags with
winch the coast abounded.
But there was one at least to whom the
stay in those waters was far fronlirksonle,
ano tina was gay and handsome midshir-
man, Ralph Boynton. While on shore leave e
he had come across an Old friend of lis
fathers, who made him right welcome at
his beautiful home. And there Ralph met
the genueman's daughter, Grace. d young
girl who inherited her Spanish mother
black eyes ana clear olive complexion and
her fathers vigorous health, combined with
q giriish sweetness that captivated tie
bronco young MILDLY. He had been ashore
every DAY since his snip had arnvedin pert,
and once was severely reprimanded for
Over-sta ying his leave.
This particular evening the boats had
returned without Ralph. The captain
was angry, and as he paced up and down
lie was meditatng on some punishment
for the disobedient young sailor. sud
denly there was a commotion astern, a
slight hollooing, and then small boat
glided up, was made fast, and young
fellow clambered up the side OF the man
of-war and leaped aboard.
1t was Ralph, and he made his way to
the captains S side. Fer a few minutes
the two remained in animated cOnversa-
sion.
But, captain Ralph demonstrated
at length, "they are in danger-their
lives and property are at stalker
That is no excuse for your not hav-
ing reported back in time, sir" the cap
tain returned sternly.
What lie would have said further was
interrupted by the officer of the deck,
who approached and reported q fire ashore.
The captain leveled his glass toward an
imposing mansion situated on a bluff a
short distance off. A dark column OF smoke
was seen shooting skyward, and there was
a duh, red glare in the heavens.
a 'ris their house in flames, captainr
Ralph shouted. 1.-The villain has accom-
plished his purpose and the lad groaned
IL his utter helplessness.
"Can away the gig end cutters! Let
all muster buckets and bear handl'
roared the captain. Then, turning TO his
gray-haired sailing master, Mr.. Hilton,
he said. =. You must look QUITO the Mohawk
while 1 am gone, and Mr. Ralph Boynton
will keep you company
The boats were soon manned, and, ith
a long, swinging stroke, fairly leaped
through the water Presently their keels
grated on the beach, and the disciplined
men formed a line and commenced passing
the water rapidly up the slight ascent.
The servants were running wildly about,
too excited to render any assistance.
Ralph, mad with anxiety and vexauon,
watched the proceedings through glass
aboard ship The light breeze famed the
flames, and they spread with fearful rapid
ity, gradually gaining on the sailors, until
all hope of saving the noble mansion was
abandoned.
AS Ralph watched, his every sense alert,
he thought he heard a Cry of distress borne
over the waters from the direction of the
veale,l over the lee bow. At the same tire
q pillar Of flame shot up from the doomed
mansion, and in that instant's glare of
light he saw distinctly sailboat skirting
the giant cliff; its occupants, two men
and girl.
In the darkness that succeeded, Ralph
reeled back. ''Grace a prisoner!' he
gasped, as he groped his way astern.
IA. IL. 81.
over the gunwale and dropped into the
little sailboat in which he had come aboard
but short time before. In an instant the
small sail was set, and the craft was bound
ing over the bay.
That day Ralph had learned that the
shoals and reefs TO the north were naviga-
bic at high tide by a ship with an expert
enced pilot-that they were the gateway OF
an almost land-locked bay. He had no
doubt now that the pirate ship was safely
at anchor in that little harbor, and the
rowboat he had seen was making for the
refuge with its fair captive.
81 can 20 twice as fast as the row.
boat, Ralph muttered, $50 ii keep out
OF sight till I've passed them on the
weather side. Then I'll double and run
'em down-if I'm not shot, he added
The bluff headland that marked TIE
proximity of the shoals was soon made,
looming up above the horizon. But Ralph
had seen nothing further of the pirates,
and kept ahead on his course Ahead, on
either bow, the foam OF breakers could he
distinctly seen, and now the juttlng coral
reefs were dangerously near
On the point of going about, Ralph paused
and peered into the mist and gloom ahead
dark object in the whirling, seetbing
foam caught his eye He ran his boat close
up, and was astonished and Mortified to
find that the object was the rowboat he 4
had thought far astern.
The little craft was tossed this way and
that by the angry waters, sometimes oh.
ecured by the whirl OF foam that dashed
IN torrents over her. Ralph had brought
hls boat TO the wind In his first moments
OF indecision, but a glimpse of a fluttering
white dress III that mad battle against de-
struction and death reused all the daring
spirit in him.
Grasping the tiller hard, HIS little craft
swung round, and then, catching the breeze,
dashed madly forward through the surging
waters, escaping the reefs that would have
torn IL asunder, dodging the shoals which
its keel grazed hard, shipping gallons of
water, and tossing tons OF it In spray from
It's bows. but still on, on until the danger
point was past and the mysterious craC-
bound bay was reached
The occupants of the pirate beat noted
the swift passage of the small sailbolt in
wonder. Thetwo men well knew the perils |
Of those shoals even at high water, and |