The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-01-13

aye, aye!" beloved our captain

of the other ship, and in a few mo-
ments boat dangled down from thu
davits, the captain and two sailors in
her, and dropped with a neat splash
into the water.
Put over the gangway ladder" said
Capt. Selinger; which we did, and the
other captain was soon with us.
After passing a word or two of the
usual sort--that is, concerning their
respective ships, ports and so on
they came to the business in hand, and
Capt. Torrycorn produced his letter.
at is for Mr.. jeremiah Hope, of Ha-
vana," he said, "a gentleman that you
very likely know. by some going
astray it was put aboard my ship, and
but tor you must have taken long
tack before it was delivered"
81 will cheerfully relieve you of it,"
answered Capt. Sellinger. 81 do not
know Mr.. Hope, but have heard of him,
ard understand that he is a gentleman
of worth and consequence. But step
into my cabin now, and let us have a
drop, as we say, to sweeten the bilge.
After that we will go into matters
more at large"
Before Capt. Sellinger closed the
door he ordered me to summon Master
Pradey, who was on the after part OF
the poop. and likewise to have aboard
the two sailors, that were till now
keeping the gig. l ventured to ask II
we might not, for the ships sake,
breach n cask of ale, and was kindly
answered in the Affirmative; where
upon | FASTENED to execute both COM
mands.
Master Pradcy was never sociable
man, but l suppose he conceived that
the captains wish was well enough to
regard; wherefore, with a cold nod to
me, he repaired to the cabin.
l made known the captains good ma
ture to the men, by whom it was re-
ceived with great favor, and they were
not slow in having the two tars out
of the boat. Then, having fetched up
the ale, all proceeded to set off their
pipes and gather round for the news.
| took my own stand near by, a bit
outside the circle, but within hearing.
Both the visitors-judged at a glance
were ordinary English sailors, brown,
bluff and sturdy, with jaw tackle
doubtless on an easy run, once the
bowl had passed. They gave us brief
account of their ship, growled over the
provisions, which. it seems. were of a
particularly wretched sort, and i'm turn
fell TO questioning MS. We gave them
the home news, and added some spice
at the end by an account of our brush
with the Dutchman. This brought out
lively round of talk, the purport of
which was that the Dutch had won
drous assurance, but for fair fight.
with even metal were naught beside
the English When this had passed
some one brought up the doiugs of
our ships abroad, and notably in pirat-
zeal waters, and from here we natural
| ~ fell to talking OF the buccaneers.
NAY, mates,' said the younger of
the two sailors. IL think can say
word here that shall put a little Jingle.
into your blood. | trow every jack of
you has heard of Henry Morgan"
SAY, ay," cried near all our fellows
together. "The great freebooter"
added several.
"lIelay. there. mates, and hear me-"
said the sailor, nourishing his pipe for
silence. Hast heard what Capt.
Morgan is now about?"
NO. no." cried the crew.
We'll. mates. it is the greatest thing
conceived by English sailors since the
days of Drake. Naught less than the
taking of Panama."
Our men broke out in a hearty note Of
applause.
"Stay Il moment" struck i'm at this
point, and speaking with disapprov-
ing air. 81 think but little of this news
of yours What have the Spaniards
done to us that we should deal with
them in such fashion? To my think
ing II is no better than rank piracy"
Yet it has the warrant of the king.
else report is a liar" said the sailor,
briskly.
NAY" said |, coldly, 81 must needs
have proof of that. cannot think his
majesty would consent to such ill-doing.
Besides, England and Spain are at
peace, and this would surely involve
them in war"
We'll Master Ardick, you take me
out of soundings there" said the sailor,
with laugh. 81 must stick to my
facts-for facts l still think they be
and let such deep matters 60"
NAY, nay" said /, uneasily, for now
| began to fear the influence of such
talk on the men, "this is all an i'll bust
ness. Morgan and his fellows are but
pirates, letters of commission or no,
and it will be wonder if they do not
end their days on the gallows, which at
least they deserved"
But here some grumbling arose from
our fellows. "'Nast, Master Ardick;
brace not so sharp up" said one. "A
commission from the king is deep wa
ter enough for me-" said second
"Who would be nice of Spaniard ?"
said third. And so the murmur went
around
"Nay, then, listen an you will" I
said, with some disRust. Little good