The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-08-02
CHAPTER XII.
OF THINGS ASHORE.

Every One was speeully III the
shrouds or hanging over the bulwarks,
so eager were all to get the first word
of the news.
A light came lifting and sinking
toward us, and we perceived that Phib-
bert had set off a lanthorn. Pradey
thereupon hung two answering lights
over the stern. In a moment we made
out the dusky shape of the boat and
the indistinct, swaying figures of the
men at the oars. Then the light shot
up, and we saw Phibbert on his feet
holding II.
"A-ll--s well!" he cried as the boat
broke out into our light "The castle
is ours"
Then the men thundered out into an
other cheer, and several excitable ones
cut two or three steps of dance.
Phibbert and his boatmen came gayly
up the side, and were Immediately
beset with multitude of questions.
"Now, sir" said Phibbert, turning to
Pradey and touching his headpiece, 81
|
Brodely, with 300 men, holds the castle.
The governor and most of his COM
mand are dead, and we have captured
above so cannon, six or eight pipes of
muskets, the value of $4,000 or 5000
in treasure, and a goodly store Of pro-
visions"
Excellent" cried Pradey in high
! good humor. "And St. GATHERINGS?
Since Brodely is here, trow the chief
remained there-which is to say, he
took it?"
HE did, indeed, sir" answered Phib-
bert, "but he is not in a way to remain
there long. Brodely had dispatched the
news to him, and he must soon come"
This happy conclusion of the matter
relieved Mr.. Tym, Mac Ivrach and me
quite as much as it did the rest of the
ships company. The fact is our per-
sonal aims were not only thereby
furthered, but we felt some little pa.
triotic pride as well. Lastly, we could
not forget that it was cowardly Span
ish hands that had run poor Capt. Sell
linger to the yardarm!
We did not wait for light the next
morning, but little past three hastily
dressed and came on deck. The wind
had hauled round, blowing very gently
now from the shore, and we caught the
faint land scents, sweet after the long
voyage, and were well pleased to part
for a little with the salt, briny tang.
Presently the east yellowed and the
sea began to glitter, and as we turned
landward light fog or vapor split
away and the embattled top of the
mountain broke through.
The morning watch began to wash
down the decks, as usual, but with
many delays and long looks at the
shore, and while they were still at work
first one and then another of the
watch below appeared. Pradey and
Phibbert soon came out. and by the
time the sun had his rim fairly above
the water three-four.hs of the whole
company were on deck.
Not 10 dwell needlessly on details
we brought safely in, towing with n
barge, after one tack, and soon an
chored in little rcarward cove. While
we were fetching by the castle men
ran out to look at us, and, the news
soon spreading, the ramparts were
presently shining with armored fig |
ures, who gave us hearty cheer of |
welcome. We found other ships in the |
berth, lying just in the river edge oft,
and their decks were also speedily
manned and volley OF questions and !
congratulations poured out.
Pradey answered all briefly but good.
naturedly, but meanwhile gave his
chief attention 10 one Capt. De Bou-
ward. from whom he was learning the
chief facts of the siege and taking Of
the castle. 1t seemed that the place
was defended by above 300 Spaniards.
not counting servants and slaves. and
that most stubborn fight was made.
Capt. Brodely began the attack with
force of 400, but at noon on the third
day, when the corps du gard was final
ly carried, his available command
numbered only 93O. The Spaniards
were nearly all killed the resolutc old
governor with the rest. and the unhurt
remnant managed to descend on the
steep landward side and escape. The
wounded and the greater part Of the
women were left behind. This was all
about noon, two days since,
and word had forthwith been sent to
Morgan.
AS soon as we were at our berth and
all put in order Pradey called for the
gig and was set ashore.
He was gone somewhat less than an
hour, and when he returned rejoiced
us all with the news that we could
nave shore leave. Secure as the ship
vas 1t was deemed unnecessary to re-
'erve guard, so that Pradey himself
with the steward, were the only ones
finally left behind.
1t was a gladstone sensation when
inally stepped out upon the solid quay,
md think that Mr.. Tym and Mac "
'ach we're in accord with me. The
morning was not yet far advanced, and
t w.s but moderately warm, the air
vas pure and the sky nearly cloudless,
Ind before us was the dark, strong
mountain, almost fetching the eye to
little giddiness and yet pleasantly
iteadfast, while breaking away to the
light was the refreshing green OF the
'orest.
We made no talk for bit, the others
" the crew pushing speedily on and
eaying us, and it was only when the
asst of them were disappearing in the
yateway of the lower forts that we
inally started on.
[To DE coNTINuED.l
--------
Wisdom of Experience.
William (reading)-Pa, what's pro-