The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-07-26

very stirring bit of talk that would
be like to trouble him in the future.
II Morgan indeed held royal COM
mission, then his deeds and those of his
captains must not be altogether law
less, and he must not have too much
blood of his own countrymen on his
hands. Provided that Pradey had
found a way to silence the fellows
from the Industry, he had only to win
us over and he might return even to
England in safety. But IS to comply
ing with his proposition, that was an
other matter, and one which had more
sides than could turn about and come
to decision on in a moment. Nor did
Mr.. lynn, bold and resolute as he was,
attempt full and conclusive answer.
He glanced at Mac Ivrach and me, and,
finding that we wore doubtful express
sions, made, for him, very cautious
reply.
"We have heard you, Master Pra-
dey," he said, land while l, speaking
for myself, hesitate not to reject one
part of your proposition-to wit, that
we should join your ships company
still there are other points in the mat
ter that require thought"
"Well, / will not press you," said
Pradey, rather mildly, "and you may
have till morning for the answer"
Meanwhile" said l, thinking 1t q
good time to settle one point, "be
pleased to tell US how it came about
that we find you here? Also what has
become Of your companions?"
why, that is short story" said
Pradey, with one of his cold grins.
"The Eight of the day we left you it
fell quite dark, and, the watch having
fortified his courage with spirits, suf-
fered himself to fall asleep, and ship
coming up ran us down. Some were
killed outright and others drowned,
and in the end Twas the only one saved.
The ship was buccaneer, one of those
cruisers sent out by Morgan, and was
so unfortunate as to have just lost her
captain. He had been killed in a
wrangle with the first lieutenant, and
the latter had then been shot in turn
by one of the crew. AS no person was
left aboard who understood naviga-
ton, and as l made no scruple to put
myself forward, was soon chosen
captain, and when this was settled we
stood away to rejoin the feet. We
shortly came up with 1t, when Capt.
Morgan was pleased to confirm me in
my place. About this time news was
received of the sailing of the Pilanca,
with the governor of Panama on board,
and, while most of the squadron stood
for st. GATHERINGS, three Of us were
dispatched to intercept the don. Twas
the only one fated to fall in with him,
and it seems that l have come rather
disastrously off. think you now have
the whole story. unless it be that for
got to tell Morgan and the rest quite
all that had formerly happened to me,
but spun yarn about my ship taking
fire and we poor creatures barely
whipping off at short notice, the 9TH
ers miserably perishing."
swell, sir, thank you for the story"
said l, "and, in truth, l am sorry for the
poor sailoAs, particularly for Lewson."
"And now," he said, you might give
me, in return, an account of your own
faring. Surely, when looked over the
rail to-day and saw your familiar faces
I was not little astonished."
"As we were TO see you" said l, "but,
after all, it was a simple natter" and
with this went on and related our
story.
"At least there are those that are
not born to be drowned" he said,
laughing, my worthy self included.
Well, go now and think over the other
matter. Let me know when you have
come to a resolution"
We took ourselves off accordingly
and returned to the deck.
(; "Well, friends" said Mr.. lynn, as
coon as we were secure in our places,
what think you of all we have heard p"
Mac Ivrach looked at me to answer,
and with little hesitation said:
"But for the matter of covering the
rogue's crime should be for accepting
his terms. l should count it no sucn
dreadful thing to join the buccaneers,
though once, admit, thought other
wise, and this sentiment is stronger
since the death of the poor captain"
Mr.. Tym nodded. "Aye, that is my
reasoning" he said. Moreover, II
seems that Morgan does really bear a
commission from the king. Pradey, as
well asall before, speaks very confident
ly of it; so we may be pretty sure of
the legality of the thing. But the vii
lain's old offense-thlt is the stick!"
Here Mac Ivrach, who had been Civ
ing close heed, put in a word:
rs there no middle course? TAX
it the man micht listen to a bit COM
promise"
Ihad been thinking fast as the Scotch
man spoke.
81 cannot say" replied; 81 have
| HOlhlnB tledI' anu 1et- Otdy' hOW 10
to compromise in time? Say we would
agree-under this stress-to cover the
villainy for period?"
81 distrust it," said Mr.. Tym, shak-
ing his head. Besides, Pradey would
never consent"
"But there is more TO the matter" l
went on, coming to clearer concep-
tion of the thought myself as talked.
"As you say, he is desperate, and void
of all conscience. Could we trust him,
in any case?"
"Why, no." he answered, little per-
picked; "but what then?"
"Will he trust us, in turn? The base
are always suspicious. Think you not
he will seek to make way with us,
pledge ourselves as we may? Then
why would he not agree to the COM
promise? Say we would swear to be
secret till the end of the expedition? ?