The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-02-03

pan OF uVIlOh. Let us 40 so WHO yet
we have the time"
"That | say amen TO-" said the cap
tain. mfr. lynn. as your brain is more
fertile than mine, conceive something"
LET us rather all consider" an
severed the supercargo. SAY that we
do so while this watch lasts, and then
presently confer"
Agreed" we said; and in order TO
get the use of our thoughts the bet
ter, as we'll as to avoid suspicion, Mr..
lynn and thereupon left the captain
and mingled with the crew.
The Spaniards looked rather more
sourly than usual upon us-which. per-
haps. was no great wonder-but moth
ing was said, and we secured Il quiet
roost upon the 'midships weathcr-rail.
Mr.. lynn and did not talk, for when
we were not observing the pursucr we
were busy in reflection. and | tried TO
forget the chatter behind me and the
Dining along Of the vessel while made
the most Of the time.
| confess my brain refused TO re-
solve auything-or anything Of mo-
ment--and il was nj last with some
veXation and doubt OF the whole mat
ter that gave mp and jumped Off my
perch.
The stronger wind. ms it seemed, was
now helping us. for the spil astcrn no
longer ENLARGED, after the former fash
ion. Indeed. thought the Pilanca
was nearly holding her own. In due
| time our watch went ON. and till the
! other relieved MS the supercargo and
were about the deck
1t was now the time that we were
to meet to discuss our plans. and ac-
cordingly Mr.. lynn and | Slipped up
from below tWhere we had gone with
| the rest. to seem the more naturaD and
| joined the captain. lie had us to the
weather bow. near the lore-dcck. where
was no one at the time. and without de
| lay we began.
There will bc no need TO give the full
ness of the talk. In the end we de
cded upon the scheme proposed by
Mr.. lynn and slightly amended by the
captain. IL was, in brief. that we
should construct a little float or raft.
on which. as soon as it became dark
or il was evident that the Pilanca was
to escape, We should boldly put Off
| We could make this cask of odds and
ends 10 he obtained for us by the cook,
and the launching would be from one
Of the 'twccu-deck ports.
Our plot laid, the next thing was to
begin to carry it out The cook. as we
expected, was blithe to help Us. In
deed he seemed, thought, inclined to
90 with us; bur presently, as | started
to find out more exactly about it, H.
shifted the subject. lie appeared, how
ever. fully enlisted in our behalf.
The materials for our raft being
readily found. were put together.
Four casks were used to form the
ends Git must necessarily he very mar
row. to pass through the porO, and all
was made fast with some strong line
and few nails.
On returning To the deck we found
the situation in a small degree
changed. The buccaneer still stormed
along in our wake. but now with IA lit
tie gain, and The pilnnca continued 10
hug he wind. BY eight bells the enc
my was clearly rising. and AT two bells
he was not greatly beyond cannon
range.
stood by, ready 70 jump and haul,
and with Il quickening of excitement
awaited the next turn of events.
1t was not long in coming. Capt
Ptacido swung upon the lee bulwark
holding on by the main shrouds, ano
beloved:
Down helm! Slack lee braces!
Haul on the weather."
by heavens. lie means TO run the
gantlet!" exclaimed Mr.. lynn,
So it seemed. The buccaneer had
been on our lee bow when first discov-
cred, and was still well TO the south
BY squaring our yards, then, and de
liberately pointing our nose south
west, we meant TO run under his very
nose.
"And yet it stands TO be his safest
plan said Capt. Sellinger. "A shiI
like this, riding light and with pool
like n church, win do nothing save Will
the wind, Once let us fetch by and oul
chances are doubled"
The buccaneer had altered hi,
course as we altered ours, and was nov
standing few points south of east
lie could scarce be better than a mile
and "A half away, and we saw plainl,
the moving black dots of the crew
about his decks. He was handsome
tigerish-looking fellow, let him be wht
or what he might.
Nearer and nearer swung the buc
cancer. ! could catch even the flash o
his wet side now, as he rolled, with
sort of swagger, to the successive, up
lifting seas. Nearer still, till hal
mile is reeled off, and less than who'll
one separates MS.
A drum on our quarter deck beat
The armored guards fell into line, ant
their captain drew his sword ant
stepped out upon the flank, Three O
the dops came out OF the cabin, all il
cnirasses, buff gantlets, and broa'
belts hung with pistols. Don Lui
Delasco, the governors son-in-law
was one Of the trim Then IL was Ca nj