Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-03-29

piece forward of the foremost, the gun being
trained point blank at me.
The stranger worked with the alacrity of
man-of-war, for the schooner had barely
lost her way when saw boat drop from
her larboard quarter and pull toward us,
while another came around her bow and fol-
lowed They were both filled with we'll
armed men, as could be seen by the glitter
of musketry, and the way they came over
the whitecaps showed their temper. It
showed temper, too, in the smart manner
they boarded me, the first boat hooking on
to the main channels, the men clamberine
out with scarcely a shout and no questions,
and in twinkling beheld half a score of
them on my deck, they, fancy, being
nightly surprised at having met with no re-
sistance.
The crisis was now at hand, and / PLAYED
my first card with something of the despera.
ton of ruined gambler. Striding up to an
officer whom saw coming aft with bare
sword in hand, said:
"Ye show scant courtesy in boarding me,
sir. Had you turned up an hour agone,
'twould have been to some purpose"
"Who- in hi are you? Where's the cap
tain of this ship?" was the excited rejoinder.
Now there was something about the tone
OF his voice, the way of calling schooner a
ship, as well as the get-up of the man him
sell, that, angered as was at his reply, made
me back pace and look at him. A quick
glance showed me was not dealing with
man bred to the sea, much less to the rsgu-
lar service, for, though then had small
knowledge of the uniforms of the British, I
knew that which graced the back Of the on
Ger before me was not Of his majssty's navy.
! knew it by its cut and garniturs, and the
land flavor of the man lay also in the fact
that he wore forage cap and carried cav
airy saber instead Of Z cutlass. His face, too,
lacked the true sea tan, its fair complexion
showing the effects of unusual exposure to
sun and wind. What his rank might be 1
had no idea, and speculation was lost in the
quick retort that naturally rose to my lips,
Who are you, sir, to tumble aboard =
prize of his majesty's in this fashion? Ye
stand in need of lesson in marine manners
as well as marine matters. Do ye hope to
Judge of crafts cargo by squirt at her
hatch cover, or of man by the cut of his
lib? Think not to deceive yourself or mel
l know my rights, and also know the differ
ence betwixt the cry of sea bird and . hen
hawk!"
II I had any doubt as to the official posi-
ton of the officer, it was set at rest BY the
subdued laugh that came from the group
about us. Piqued by the sound Of mirth
from those he had no power to punish, his
face turned to an ugly red, and, lifting his
saber as though to cut me down, he shouted:
You insolent dog! / will make you sweat
for this! Lay hold Of him, some of you!
Tie the villain up! Damnation! are you all
cowards?" he continued, az there was a
shuttle of feet, though no one approached me.
There il no telling what might have cen
the upshot of this dispute had there been
no interruption, for the fellow seemed deter
mined to use his saber on me. But, fortu.
nately for one Of us, we were Joined by an
other officer, whom afterward found had
come from the second boat.
Hold hard, Scanned! You are not
handling one of your own dragons! What
is this all about? You fly the signal Of q
prize, sir" he continued, turning to me;
chow comes it you are alone? Who and
what are you?"
Il am Captain Jack Lounsbury, bearing
instructions from Sir Henry Clinton, as that
cockatrice might have found ere this had
he used smooth tongue. This is my prize
"a Yankee schooner laden with lead for
New London, and taken by me single hand.
ed. There lies her skipper, and all but one
OF her crew are overheard" And with this
l pointed to the body of my mate.
had hardly spoken when two marines
came aft with the negro Stole betwixt them.
He was trembling like sail in the wind,
and hung his head as though he had lost
all strength to lift it. was looking for an
exposure on the instant, but the officer
waved them back with motion. There was
an unspoken but plainly shown respect for
me in the demeanor of the crowd as it spread
away. The two officers stood for moment
in undisguised wonder at the recital of my
prowess, giving alternate glances at the body
and myself, and then the last conner, who
was plainly the one in authority, spoke.
"You alone did this? By st. George,
Scammell, you came near getting into q
mess! I promised to show you sea scrim-
mage, but not the kind you were Matching.
Let US have further warrant of these facts"
ne continued to me. "Who was hep point
ing toward the scupper, "and when did this
happen! Let us come by the papers"
Wonder fellow is Donald Thorndyke, the
master till l overcame him." I answered.
i shipped as mate. If you will go below we
IAN come by the whole matter" replied,
not caring to extend my yarn with the negro
within hearing. COR, better, we can take
What we there find and 60 aboard before |
1our captain, where the whole matter may
De boiled down at one sitting"
"'Twould be saving of time, certainly"
20 answered, "but We'll hear the yarn while |
he schooner is being searched; of course,
,ou understand the Importance of the form"
And he turned to sea corporal and gave
linn the necessary orders. "Now, sir, / am
1t your SERVICE" be said, crossing the deck
,oward the cabin companion. Hesitating
here, he seemed to hang in the wind for an
Instant, and then strobe over to the body,
did you shoot him?" he asked, as he bent
'ver the PROSTATE form.
Nay, struck him." I answered.
Faith, then" he returned, sizing me up
nth side glance, I'D sooner take the
,hance of bullet than blow from that fist
you struck in earnest! Did he wing you
t the onset?"
NAY, nay; twas niger striving to knife
ne in the back. Let's below. Mayhap We
ave doctor aboard who will fix up q bad
ut"
Through all this was conscious of the eye
# Scammell fixed on me. Whether or not he
Tas suspicious Of me, or whether he was still
oiling under the dressing l had given him,
here were no means of telling. saw plain
Y the resentment he made little effort to
onesal, and felt that had made an enemy
Who would be mighty glad TO cross swords
nth me on the slightest provocation. he
7as % Or 20 In years, or about my own age,
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