The times., 1897-05-09

the men could intercept heT sprang over
board aad sw am toward the friendly craft.
Ralph saw the action and steered for the
plucky swimmer. The epiratesremained un-
decided few moments, and then, evidently
aveTse to firing and calculating on handy
assistance, turned the bow OF their boat
inland and disappeared in the darkness lie
yond.
The young MILDLY drew the exhausted
girl from the water, his heart aglow that
he should be the rescuer. When Grace
had recovered somewhat, she teid how
the pirates had set fire TO her father 8
house in revenge for his not aiding IN de-
ceiving the American man-of- war. She
had been seized and carried away during
the excitement, and had given utterance
TO that piercing scream as rather follorn
hope.
During this recital, and while the pl loud,
grateful girl was thanking him over and
over again, Ralph took down his small
sail and busted himself bailing the boat,
glancing anxiously into the gloom OF the
mysterious bay where the pirates We're
hidden, and then at the dangerous shoals.
lit seemed, Miss Grace" he said. lCOk-
ing very thoughtful, las if somc unseen
hand guided the boat Though these jut-
ting reefs and sandhanks tonight. l Am
fearful of trying ii again until high water,
which viii not be for an hour or so yet
Again Ralph saZed ahead, and this time
he started They had dritfed some dis-
tance inland, SO that the lcar Of the suIf
was deadened by the giant cliffs that
frowned down on them on all sides He
heard distinctly the sound of oars cleav,ng
m
strangely in that dismal place
Miss Grace he whispered, bending
over her, I'VE are IN "a critical position.
now, but wen hide in the shadow Of
yonder projecting crag for awhile-you
take the tiller, III use this oar
Shuddering, but more with the chill of
her wet garments than from fear, the
Southern girl obeyed, having full conf
dence in her rescuer. From their posi-
ton the two watched and listened They
saw the shadowy outlines OF two low
boats in the dim light which poured
through the opening in the cliffs, and
they heard the mumbllng OF distant voices.
The pirates seemed 10 be undecided.
Every minute the tide rises higher
Ralph whispered I'm fifteen minutes the
shoals viii be easily navigable.'
Tor answer Grace clutched his arm nerv
ously .'Looki' she gasped. They have
torches, and are coming our wayf'
True enough, one of the boats was ap-
preaching, its occupants holding torches
while the others guarded the entrance. But
before the light could reach them Ralph
once more padded noiselessly out into the
cove. He was debating on raising saii,
running the gauntlet of the guard beat.
and braving the shoals, when an accident
happened W hich forced hiin to it. The oar
he was leaning on gave way and fell with
a clash into the boat
shout and shot which whistled near
lent speed TO Ralph's movements. In a
twinkling the sail was up, he was al the
tiller, with Grace In the bottom Of the boat,
and catching the freshening breeze the
little craft sped by the enemy's boat at
some distance and made directly for the
guard boat
II needed a cool head now, and the
American MILDLY knew it The men in
the rowboat braced themselves for a col
lislon, and on the instant Ralph bore on the
tiller, Just grazing the enemy, and was by
them like the wind. To their howls of exc
Grafton and their badly aimed bullets the
American replied with a yell of defiance,
and then settled down to business.
The water was considerably higher than
when he made his first venture, so that
after some hard knocks and narrow es-
capes Ralph had once more the pleasure OF
being in safe waters. He then steered di-
rectly for his ship.
Capt. Morgan was more thanangry when
he made his appearance after this serious
breach OF discipline, but when he heard
the story, and learned that the pirates
were to leave the retreat that night, he
relented, and the Mohawk was soon under
way for the shoals The American vessel
was in time to catch the pirate ship
threading ber way at the dangerous point,
and opened fire. Thus handicapped, the
eLemy's vessel perished miserably on a
sunken reef, and the survivors were picked
up and made prisoners.
After few days stay to enable Ora ces
father to settle his business affairs, as he
and his family were to return on the war
vessel, the Mohawk set sail for the States.
Shortly after arriving there Ralph was pro-
motedfo bravery, and during an extended
stay In port had the pleasure Of seeing his
friends comfortably settled in their new
home
On the eve of Ids departure On another
cruise Ralph whispered an old, old story
to certain dark-eyed Southern girl, and
though she listened with half-averted
face. he caught the sweet light in her eyes
and went forth prepared to conquer worlds.