Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-07-14

as I may as well add, to be brief, so
did the next three days. The weather
held fair, with moderate winds, and
there was nothing to put a strain upon
Meanwhile that this time was pass
ing my companions and l had come by
a better knowledge of things touch
ing the voyage and the governors
plans. It seemed we we're to make but
one more port before reaching Chagre,
that being a place called Baracoa, in
the eastern part of the island of Cuba.
There the governor was to transact
some business and obtain such fresh
stores as we needed, and thence meant
to fetch straight over for Chagre.
On the morning of the fourth day
after our rescue something of a thrill
ing and in part of dreadful sortthap-
pened, and this I shall now proceed to
detail. Mr.. lynn and 1 were lying in
our hammocks. it being our watch be-
low,when l thought heard some small
stir on deck, followed by the bawling
of voices, as though delivering COM
mands. l sat up and listened, for
could not guess what was in the wind,
and as L did so the ship suddenly began
to saw up and down.
What is doing?" queried Mr.. lynn,
sitting up in his hammock as / had
done.
'It is passing singular" said, and
with one mind we rose and scuffed into
our shoes, having a keen desire to
solve the mystery. In the forecastle
beyond we met the cook, who had just
descended the ladder. He was i little
out of breath, as though from hurry,
and his looks showed. some thing had
happened.
'Hoots!" he cried, without waiting
for us to speak. I'VE are a in peekle.
a buccaneer will be DOT yonder.''
"a buccaneer!" / cried, in surprise
and joy. Are you certain? Nay, that
is a pickle that is right enough. When
did he heave in sight? '
HE has been showing a the WATCH"
he answered, land now we are rising
him fast. Gin we are e'er sac wal
pleased, We wad be wise to hide it," he
added, under his breath.
l was quick to see the wisdom of the
suggestion and returned an answering
nod. Come, Mr.. Tym," 1 said, in a
lower and soberer key, "let us go and
have look at this pirate
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
shaping about in their bare feet
would hear, and so far understand me.
ga pirato." 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.. lynn and fastened up the ladder
Truly enough, the sun was in our
faces, and the Pilanca was driving
eastward, close hauled.
Directly astern, and I guessed now
about four OF five miles distant, was
the well-defned canvas of the sup
posed buccaneer. There was no saying
anything about him, of course, with
out a glass. and I 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
a trif1e 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 u 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 lighting men were dis
posed about the quarterback, and, all
told, guessed the entire company was
on duty. The governor himself,
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
errors 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 Pilanca-the wind
is stiffening. Should it continue she
can carry on to beat this fellow, and
may yet escape"
Il conceive" said I. chat we three
should arrange some definite plot or
plan of action. Let US do so while yet
We haze the time ~