San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-02-14
THE : SUNDAY : LIGHT.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY IA, 1897.

and silently recall what naval men call
an affair" in the redhot mouth of an
African river sliding in measureless
miles in dark and greasy volume, full
OF aliigators, past haunts Of black folk,
whose grandchildren are at this day
gentlemen of color, culture and sub
stance in Jamaica.
The brig drew alongside within easy
speaking distance and backed her fore
topsail She showed no signs Of injury
from the fire of the bark save a few
severed ropes, a few holes in her can
vas, few white disks in her side, where
the foeman's balls had crashed. But
the sun shone in stains of blood upon
her decks and in red water gushing
through the scuppers to the strokes Of
an amidshiIs pump. Her crew seemed
mainly white men, dark and bearded, in
wide brimmed hats of grass or straw
and half boots. They were black with
powder and their struggles at the guns.
She had a short raised afterdeck, on
which stood man in blue cloth coat
and bandage round his head, OH top
Of which was a great sombrero hat.
He. too, was as black with the toll Of
slaughter as the grimiest of his crew,
and he looked formidable fellow, with
long goatee beard whose end fell near
ly to the brass clasp of his belt.
BRIG ahoy" shouted Boldock,
mounting the bulwark rail and holding
ON by backstay. II perceive that you
are an American, sir congratulate you
upon your very handsome management
Of your enemy"
"Durn himp answered the man,
coming slowly to the briggs side and
singing out in q mild voice slightly
favored with nosiness. "Why couldn't
he have let me be? I'm man of peace.
I'm commercial man. He began it
Rot himr'
"Will you come aboard, sir?" shout
ed Boldock impulsively, land give me
the pleasure of your company at break
fast?'' The man raised his hat as sig
nal of acquiescence 81 don't think,
continued the commander, that your
friend will give you any more trouble, "
and he looked at the bark, which was
slowly making her way northward, her
main topsail yard still ON the cap, her
spanker in heap ON deck, her rag of
color hanging by rope yarns in the miz-
zen rigging.
1t was something after 8. They had
not thought of breakfasting on board
the Wellesley while that sea fight was
going ON. Now the order for the meal
was given, and the colored cook went
to work, and the grateful smell Of fried
ham and coffee came and went i'll the
pleasant breeze. In about 30 minutes
time a boat put off from the American
brig, and the man with the bandage
round his head slipped on board. He
had washed his face and changed his
coat and ON the whole looked slightly
less formidable than when first seen
Commander Boldock received him at
the gangway.
''Pray what ship are you, sir?" said
the man, darting sharp, inquisitive
looks all about the decks and at the
crowd of men in the bows.
The commander informed him.
"Oh," said he with his face relax
ing, call sailors, no matter what color
they hoist, must be deeply obliged to
you, gentlemen.
This was true and handsomely said,
accompanied as it was by an inclination
Of the figure, which the bandage could
not rob of certain pleasing sailorly
grace. Indeed, viewed close, this Amer
lean proved forbidding but decidedly
handsome man-long aquiline nose,
bright. gray eye full of intelligence
and his shape was as good as padded
guardsman's,
The commander thanked him and
hoped his injury was not serious. He
answered that his forehead had been
grazed by a splinter. 1t was a trifing
affair Of sticking plaster.
Zone poor fellow cut right in halves,
two men shot dead, none wounded I'M
less you call my forehead wound, !"
answered the man in slightly nasal
drawl and a mild voice that was curl
ously out of character with his military
looks
"You are her captain?'
81 am her master, and my names
Congreve.
On this Boldock introduced him to
Miss Mansel, and Mr.. Matthews coming
up the four stood in conversation till
breakfast was announced.
The American captain was full Of
the recent fight and could ta.i OF moth
ing but the Mexican, whose skipper had
probably taken fright on observing the
two briggs in amicable conversation, for
the bark was now sliding away north
ward under full head Of canvas, and
Mr.. Hardy, inspecting her through the
long brass telescope, exclaimed that they
were rigging out their studding sail
booms.
ST peppered her yesterday before the
fog hid us, said the American captain.
who continued to look with interest and
curiosity at Miss Mansel to the extent
indeed of seeming to address himself