Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1898-08-19
"For 30 year." he said. i've sailed

VISIONS running out. knives going, ana
what not. Well, now, tell you, never
seen good come O. goodness yet. Him
as strikes first is my fancy; dead men
don't bite; them's my views-amen, so
be it. And now, you look here" he add
ed, suddenly changing his tone. we've
had about enough of this foolery. The
tides made good enough by now. You
just take my orders, Cap'n Hawkins, and
We'll sail slap in and be done with it,"
All told, we had scarce two miles to
run; but the navigation was delicate,
the entrance to this northern anchor
age was not only narrow and shoal. but,
lay east and west, so that the schooner
must be nicely handled to be got in.
think was good, prompt subaltern.
and l am very sure that Hands was an
excellent pilot; for we went about, and
lodged in, shaving the banks. with
certainty and neatness that were
pleasure to behold.
Scarcely had we passed the head be-
fore the land closed around us. The
shores of North inlet were as thickly
chorage; but the space was longer and
narrower, and more like, what in truth
twas, the estuary OF river. Right be-
fore us, at the southern end, we saw
the wreck of ship in the last stages
of dilapidation. 1t had been great
vessel Of three masts. but had lain so
long exposed to the injuries of the
weather. that it was hung about with
great webs of dripping sea-weed. and
on the deck of it shore bushes had
taken root, and now flourished thick
with flowers. 1t was sad sight. but it
showed us that the anchorage was
calm.
"Now," said Hands, "look there;
there's a pet bit for to beach ship in.
Fine fiat sand, never 4 catspaw, trees all
around of it, and flowers a-blowing
like garding on that old ship"
"And once beached," inquired, how
shall we get her off again?"
"Why, So" he replied; You take a
line ashore there on the other side at
low water; take a turn about one O.
them big pines; bring it back, take a
turn round the capstan, and lie to for
the tide. Come high water, all hands
take a pull upon the line, and off she
comes as sweet as natur'. And now,
boy, you stand by. We're near the bi:
now, and she's too much way on her.
Starboard a little - so-steady-star-
board larboard a little steady
steady!"
So he issued his commands, which l
breathlessly obcyed; till, all of sud
den, he cried: "Now, my hearty, huff!
And 1 put the helm hard up, and the
"IIispaniola" swung round rapidly, and
ran stem on for the low-wooded shore.
The excitement of these last man
euvers had somewhat intcrfered with
the watch I had kept hitherto, sharply
enough, upon the coclswain. Even
then I was still SO much interested
waiting for the ship to touch, that
had quite forgot the peril that hung
over my head, and stood craning over
the starboard bulwarks and watching
the ripples spreading wide before the
bows. l might have fallen without d
struggle for my life, had not a sudden
disquietude seized upon me, and made
me turn my head. Perhaps had heard
a. creak, or seen his shadow moving
with the tail of my eye; perhaps it was
an instinct like a cats, but, sure
enough, when looked round, there was
Hands, already halfway toward me
with the dirk in his right hand.
We must both have cried out aloud
when our eyes met; but while mine
was the shrill cry of terror, his was q
roar of fury like charging bulls. A,
the same instant he threw himself for.
ward, and 1 leaped sideways toward the
bows. AS I did SO I left hold of the
tiller, which sprung sharp to leeward;
and l think this saved my life, for it
struck Hands across the chest, and
stopped him, for the moment, dead.
Before he could recover l was safe
out of the corner where he had trapped
me, with all the deck to dodge about
just forward of the mainmast
topped, drew pistol from my pocket
drew cool aim, though he had already
turned and was once more coming di-
rectly after me, and drew the trigger
The hammer fell, but there followed
neither flash nor sound; the printing
was useless with seawater. l cursed
myself for my neglect. Why had not
I, long before, reprinted and reloaded
my only weapon? Then l should not
have been, as now, a mere fleeing sheep
before this butcher.
Wounded as he was, it was wonderful
how fast he could move, his grizzled
hair tumbling over his face, and his
face itself as red as red ensign
with his haste and fury. had no
time to try my other pistol, nor, in
deed, much inclination. for l was sure
it was useless. One thing I saw plain
ly; l must not simply retreat before
him, or he would speedily hold me
boxed in the bows, as a moment since
he had so nearly boxed me in the stern.
Once so caught, and nine or ten inches
of the blood-stained dirk would be
my last experience on this side of eter-
nifty. I placed my palms against the
mainmast, which was of a goodish big
ness, and waited, every nerve upon the
stretch.
Seeing that meant to dodge, he also
paused, and a moment or two passed in
feints on his part, and corresponding
movements upon mine. 1t was such a
game as 1 had often played at home
about the rocks of Black Hill cove;
but never before, you may be sure,
with such wildly beating heart as
now. Still, as I say, it was boys
game, and 1 thought could hold my
own at it against an elderly seaman