Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-10-30
Once more the yachtswnng around

maui uOHH lue ndS, calu tug
captain of the big steamer.
swell, captain" began the young
man on the bridge when at speaking
distance, "a practical lesson is worth
any amount of talk. | merely wish
ed to convince you that we know
how to handle our guns and that cur
guns can penetrate your rotten
plates. Besides, you will have some
thing to show for your money when
you get to port. I take it We will
have no further trouble Blu. I'll give
you five minutes more if you wish
to consult together"
The miners had no desire to be
drowned, neither did they wish to
give up their gold.
'tGet him aboard, captains" said
their leader, "and we'll have fight
for it. We are all heeled, and once
we get that william and part OF his
crew on deck, here, you keep out of
the way ifyou like, ard we'll handle
him."
"You couldn't run down that pir-
ate, suppose 7" suggested another,
more cautious than the rest.
"No more than I could run down
Queen Charlotte's Islands with this
craft replied the captain dole.
fully.
"Time r shouted the man on the
bridge.
"We'll give you the gold," said
the captain, returning to his place.
Cali right. And SO that there
will be no temptation to play us any
tricks, for the amount / understand
is demoralizingly large, I will stay
here and receive your packages.
Two of my mel win go aboard you,
and two others will work the ferry
between your craft and mine. Those
four men I can easily spare, and if
you kill or capture them you are
welcome to do SO, but in that case l
shall undoubtedly sink the ship. If
you will think over the crisis for a
moment you will see that nothing
else is left for NE to do. 1t is the
only safe plan, therefore | trust
there will be no trouble"
There wasn't.
The miners saw at once that there
was little use in making a row, and
in short time the precious cargo
was transferred from the ship to the
yacht.
It came in boxes and bags, in
la,'ge quantities and in small, and
he man on the bridge opened every
package so that there was no chance
of fooling him. When the transfer
was made the young man sang out
81 wish you good day, captain,
and a sale voyage. II may strike
you as strange that | do not sink the
ship now and so destroy all evil
dence against me. l assure you that
gave the plan the deepest consid-
GRAFTON, and if, unfortunately, one
life had been lost, you would all
have gone to the bottom, but, as it
is, this is only robbery or piracy,
and don't believe they hang for
that now, SO chance your evidence
against me, for / will be disembark-
ed long before you can reach the
nearest telegraph Office. So, if I
were you, | would plug right along
to San Francisco and not give me
the trouble of calling at Victoria or
any ofthose intervening ports. Well,
SO long"
The yacht moved away from the
ship at speed which showed that
all hope of keeping her in sight for
any length Of time was hopeless.
With sad hearts the plundered
passengers watched her grow small
er and smaller to the south of them
while the Bear churned her leisurely
course through tie waveless sea.
At last the lookout shouted
The yachts coming back, sir.p
The captain put his glasses 10 his
eyes and gazed for a long time at
the horizon to the south.
"By lingo, she isl he said, turn
ing trife less ruddy. Then he
said to the mate, "What do you
think of it?n
Hes probably changed his mind
and is going to sink US. l thought
be didn't seem to be more than half
convinced when he talked of not do
ing it. What are we to do p
81 don't know anything to do"
said the captain hopelessly, swearing
iuwardly if he escaped he would
have faster steamer next voyage
or quit the high seas.
Everyone aboard was now watch
ing the northern bound yacht, and
the same disquieting thought seem
ed to run through every mind, even
before one of the passengers gave
voice to his fears. Suddenly the
captain cried out with his glasses
still to his eyes:
so help mel It's not the same
yacht. Lock, Joe I"
The mate examined the approach
ing steamer and conceded with the
captains view. Soon all doubt was
tet at rest. The oncoming boat was