The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-07-12


1 spoke the word pirate with pur-
posed emphasis, knowing that the fell
lows in the watch-most of whom
were now sitting up in their hunks or
slapping about in their bare feet
would hear, and so far understand me.
"a piratol" went from one to an
other. The most sluggish bounced out
in twinkling.
Leaving thecook to finish with them
-or those who would stay to hear
Mr.. Tym and fastened up the ladder.
Truly enough, the sun was in our
faces, and the Pilanca was driving
eastward, close hauled.
Directly astern, and l guessed now
about four or five miles distant, was
the well-dehned canvas of the sup
posed buccaneer. There was no saying
about him, of course, with
out glass, and l could merely guess
that he was quite little smaller than
the Pilanca. We might be raising him,
but of course that would not be ap-
parent without longer inspection.
There was no great change in the
weather. The wind had strengthened
trifle since we went below and there
was more head to the seas, but other
wise everything stood nearly the same.
In this part of the ship the watch
hung about the braces, as though for
orders, and there was an anxious, sub
dued jabber running round, but no par
ticular confusion.
Aft found the poop cleared of bright
gowns and petticoats, the prudent old
governor thinking, doubtless, it might
be wise TO offer as few allurements as
possible, and in their place were five
or six of the shining, armored guards.
Others OF these fighting men were dis
posed about the quarterback, and, all
told, guessed the entire company was
on duty. The governor himself, a
somber-lined cloak flung over his gay
attire, was walking to and fro on the
poop, and Capt. Placido was spying with
glass from the wether mizzen shrouds.
1t went grievously against the gov
ernor's pride and that of the dons to
run away, but in prudence no other
course seemed open. Besides, the safe
ty of the women was to be considered.
The foe had the advantage of nimbler,
handier-working ship, and doubtless
mustered an equal or larger crew.
We discussed the matter at some
length, and decided that great water
castle like the Pilanca, with relative
" small sails and bluff bows, must be
inferior at plying, and that some excel
lent trick of seamanship would be need
ed if we were to shake off fellow like
the buccaneer.
"And yet" added Capt. Sellinger,
"there is one point in our favor-I
mean in favor of the rilanca-the wind
is stiffening. Should it continue she
can carry on to beat this fellow, and
may yet escape"
81 conceive" said I, "that we three
should arrange some definite plot or
plan of action. Let us do so while yet
we have the time"
THAT I say amen to-" said the cap
tain. "Mr. Tym, as your brain is more
fertile than mine, conceive something"
"Let us rather all consider" an
swered 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 well as to avoid suspicion, Mr..
Tym 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 quiet
roost upon the 'midships weather-rail.
Mr.. Tym and did not talk, for when
we were not observing the pursuer we
were busy in reflection, and l tried to
forget the chatter behind me and the
dinning along of the vessel while made
the most of the time.
confess my brain refused to re-
solve anything-or anything of mo-
ment-and il was at last with some
vexation and doubt of the whole mat
ter that 1 gave up and jumped off my
perch.
The stronger wind, as it seemed, was
now helping us, for the sail astern no
longer enlarged, after the former fash
ion. Indeed, l thought the Pilanca
was nearly holding her own. In due
time our watch went on, and till the
other relieved us the supercargo and I
were about the deck.
1t was now the time that we were
to meet to discuss our plans, and ac-
cordingly Mr.. Tym and l slipped up
from below (where we had gone with
the rest, to seem the more naturaD and
Joined the captain. He had us to the
weather bow, near the fore-deck, where
was no one at the time, and without de-
lay we began.
There will be no need to give the full
ness of the talk. In the end we de-
cided upon the scheme proposed by
Mr.. Tym and slightly amended by the
captain. II was, in brief, that we
should construct little float or raft,
on which, as soon as it became dark,
or it was evident that the Pilanca was
to escape, we should boldly put off.
We could make this cask of odds and
ends to be obtained for us by the cook,
and the launching would be from one
of the 'tween-deck ports.
Our plot laid, the next thing was tc
begin to carry it out. The cook, as we
expected, was blithe to help us. In
deed, he seemed, thought, inclined tc
go with us; but presently, as l started
to find out more exactly about it, ht
shifted the subject. He 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 (it must necessarily be very mar
row, to pass through the porO, and al
was made fast with some strong line