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

CHAPTER y.
VTTsNT IN Az
OF A MYSTERIOUS DECREE OF FATE

OF A MYSTERIOUS DECREE OF FATE.
cannot pretend to give clear de-
tails of what followed. Mr.. lynn lunged
back desperately, and | saw one fell
low double up and fall. The next man
tripped over him and the supercargo
improved the time to wheel and rush
to my side.
"Out!" was the one word he said. and
! let go the painter and sprang upon
the ledge of the port. AS the end OF
the line whislted clear | stopped and
shot headloug down.
rose to the surface at once and
shook the water from my eyes. The
first thing ! saw was the great i'm
pending bulk OF the ship. 1t lowered
far over me. and was rushing past.
flooding back frothing and divided
seas. | fought my way to the top of
the next crest and looked around. To
my Joy Mr.. lynn was close at hand,
splitting and shaking his head. as
though he had just come up from his
dive. but riding lightly and easily.
Turning my head To see what had be-
come of Mac lvrach and he raft. saw
the structure pitching up and down
on a neighboring sea. but to my Sor-
row without the Scotrhman.
In the line Of the raft. but near a
mile away. was the pursuing ship She
was bad mess forward. for her spirit
topmast had been shot away, and some
Of the litter was dragging over the
bows.
/ had time for no more than this
flash of look about. All my atten-
tion was now upon the rushing bulk of
the ship. She was so near
that ! could see little higher than her
bulwarks. Her ports on that side were
open, though the guns had not been
used, and in each opening were the
protruding heads of the gunners.
The ship seemed to lift away from
us, and at once we got the range of
her whole side. To my dismay all the
bulwarks were overhung with heads
and dozen or more of the steel
shelled guards showed above the low
poop rail. The story of our doings had
spread over the ship at last, and doubt
less the angry dons were primed for
vengeance.
There seemed to be nothing that we
could do. unless il was to dive, as they
made To fire, and that would be likely
to prove of little avail. Our main hope
must be in the poorness of their aim
and the little time we should be within
range. did not forget also that our
bobbing heads presented rather infe-
rior targets. They let go soon enough,
for | had scarce gotten the whole
range Of their side when a score or
more of guns and pistols were aimed,
some from as far forward as amid
ships, and blaze among the whole
line followed.
Poor shooting, sir" shouted, not
II little relieved and even eNhilarated.
"Shall we swim for the raft ?"
We turned as he spoke, and to my
astonishment there was the raft close
at hand. For some reason it had come
before the wind faster than | could
have calculated and was ready now as
very timely refuge.
We disregarded further danger from
the shooting and faced about. The raft
came on, climbing crest at the mo
ment and riding swiftly down again
and it was then that both of us cried
out in amazement. For a human head
was sticking above the stern end, and
a familiar shock of light hair, albeit
now darkened a little with the wet
covered the head. In word, it was
the worthy cook
Use be there in blink" he called
"Dinna We waste your strength"
We gave over further effort accord
ingly and directly the affair rode down
to us. was the first out of the water
and gave Mr.. lynn pull, after which
Mac Ivrach himself crawled out.
We seized his hand and shook Il
heartily.
"And you saw us. and urged the raf
along?" | said "Seusonably done, fol
we were like 10 be weary ere W.
fetched it,"
as not the buccaneer recovering
himself in some sort?" inquired Mr.
lynn, after "A moment or two.
| rose as high as my knees and tool
shrewd look.
AYE, he has got the greater part o
the mess cleared away, and holds OF
his course" | answered. "Ah, mel /
the poor captain were but with usl"
added with sigh.
"Mither o. Cod" burst out Ma
Ivrdch. Look yonnerl"
We had taken our eyes for mOmen
from the Pilanca, but at this dreadful
exclamation half sprang up an,
turned that way. What we saw strucl
the blood from our cheeks, and left u
silent with CONSERVATION. The ship ha
fetched, perhaps, two points to tn
wind, so that again we had an obliqu
view OF her side, and a scene on he
main deck was brought to view.