The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-07-01
BY G. L. S.

| "You are mistaken" was the cool
reply. III
"I shall keep an eye on you at all
events. Back water" he continued,
speaking to the crew. "The rascals
are too many for u.s."
"What do you propose to do?" in
quired the stranger. i
"To get out of this the best way
can, if you would like to know. Sight
the swivel" he added, to the bowmen,
"and ply the fellows ahead with it,
while we try to get through that open
ing in the reef. lively, boys"
Some OF the pirates already had be-
gun to fire their pistols at the cutters
people, while the rest pulled towards
the receding boat. An old man-o'-
wars man was shot dead, and two
others were wounded. Then the re-
port of the swivel was heard, but
the pirates, lying well over, avoided
the shot.
Before the piece could be reloaded
the bullets from the foe were again
Hving thick and fast, and another man
fell dead.
'"There is shoal astern of us, sir.
We shall probably ground upon it,"
Dried the young coxswain, Granger.
sThen the pirates will have us at
their mercy. Had we not better make
; dash at the rascals who are firing at
us? We can whip them before the
, others come up"
. GAY, ay, that's the best thing to
8 do" came the deep voice OF the
stranger.
, "Mind your own business, both of
: you," said Marker. Gas for you,
Granger-don't let me hear another
b word from you, or will have you up
: for mutt"
"a Ere he could finish the sentence a
= bullet struck him. slantingly on the
9 head, inficting a painful though not
a mortal wound, which threw him down
4 dazed and bewildered, uniting him
d for the command, which thus devolved
q upon Granger.
e "Now, boys, have at them!" the
1t coxswain shouted. '.Pull ahead!"
This order was obeyed with alacrity.
ID and with a hearty cheer. As the cut
ID ter rapidly advanced upon the pirates
.e the swivel, which had been reloaded
NJ was fred at the outlaws, killing severa
W of their number.
N Mr.. Markers eyes began to roll. HI
:" gazed round him in bewildered man
is ner.
O. "You are going the wrong way" b.
e. said, in faint voice; "or is 1T be
cause my brain is whirling that 1 an
I'd mistaken? Retreat We must re
k treat!" he added. as his head droope
upon his breast.
th "No, mol A few more stroke
nd ahead, my lads. and we will be upo
It. them!" shouted Granger, in ringin
voice.
on The next moment the cutter crashe
against the other boat, when a de'
.ly perate combat ensued. The pirate
he fought fiercely, but their opponent
welded their cutlasses and used the
d. pistols with daring intrepidity, an
nd with the determined energy of pluck
he men trained to conflict. Cheerin
them on, Granger threw himself int
D" the thick of the fray, slashing rlgl
ep and left with a powerful arm. III
stranger, with cutlass snatched fro
a a fallen sailor, fought like lion, b
tly strong, deep voice, blended with tt
a coxswaln's, as he laid about him wit
fs. might and main. The clash of stee
mt the report of small arms, the boar
ia. cries of the cutters men, and Il
ed. tiger-like "Hi-yahs!" of the pirate
echoed with strange din among Il
ese huge rocks.
wv At length the outlaws were so bad
the cut up that they would have retreats
ON but for the approach of their 9th
CHI boat with its reinforcements.
rs As it drew near, however, t
zen stranger contrived to bring the swi,
in. to bear upon this craft, and fred
vou shot that stove the boat, when sect
low there was no longer hope for them,
the pirates made of, disappear
led among the rocks.
ed. "We are the victors," said
yht, stranger, quietly. "a bold da'
&C. even with the odds against you,
often better than retreat"
AN seTrue," said Granger. Had
,ck continued to back away from the
red rates we should have grounded, q
oro- had the rascals in both boats upon d
oat: "You-ah-you disobeyed order
was said Mr.. Marker, who sip OF brar
sely had silgntiy strenesneneo
the will have you shot for mutInyl
sFrom first to last, after you W
, of hit, you were not fitto command, 81
ibe s.We will see what court mar
has to say on the subiect?'
an This made Granger uneasy.
had always prided himself on do
his his duty, but he knew that Mr.. Ms
ain. ar could so represent his conduc
ared to influence coui' 'na' '' 90"
tier. him. 80
red. The cutter now Was 10 :.
alsLtaa through ths ivK and bears