Gilpin observer., 1899-06-22

The evening of the fourth day after
we had saved Hyslop found the brig
still lying on westerly course; but
whether in the latitude of Cape San
Rogue or of the Rio Grande, we knew
not; and. suppose, 1t was all the same
to Antonio. ="
l was at the wheel. The sunset was
gorgeously beautiful. The Eugenie was
running with both tacks aft; and un-
der the arched leech of her courses I
could see the blood-red disk Of the
sun right ahead settling in the waves,
which shone in all the colors of the
dying dolphin; while against the fam
ing orb the black outline of the masts,
the figure-head and the taper end of the
jibbooT, with it's cap, guys and gear,
were clearly and distinctly defined.
The waves ahead rose and fell be-
tween me and the sun, as slowly and
imperceptibly he sank at the flaming
horizon, from a quarter circle to
segment; then the last vestige of that
also disappeared, but the lingering
rays Of his glory played upward on
the light clouds that Hoated above.
Even they paled away and died out,
and twilight stole over the sea, which
changed from gold to transparent
blue.
With the increasing twilight came a
change of wind. and before it great
bank of cloud rolled from the horizon
on our starboard bow. Under it's shad-
ow the sea was darkened and it's brok-
en- water fiecked with white. The new
breeze came first upon our quarter.
then rapidly it was abeam and three
great albatrosses were seen to whip
the sea with their wings, while whole
shoal of brown porpoises surged past
our bows, plunging joyously from wave
to wave.
Tucks and braces were instantly
manned and the sails were trimmed
anew for our desultory course.
Sail ho-to windward!" said one Of
the crew, in low but excited voice,
lest the sound might reach the cabin;
and as the dense bank of purple clouds
opened large bark came out of it,
and her form became more and more
defined as she left the vapor astern.
She was going free-that is, with her
head further off the wind than close
hauled-and had press of snow white
canvas, which shone in the last light
Of the west.
"She is four miles off," said Carlton.
1--WE must signal her." added Lam
bourne.
with what?" asked Carlton, in the
same sharp but low voice; every COLI
or is overheard" ~
Anything will do-a blue shirt at
the foremast head; quick!-the sky
will be quite dark in ten minutes. Run
1t up in a ball with slipping loop,
man-o'-war fashion," said Lambourne,
in loud whisper; "get ready ships
lantern some Of you, for the night
darkens SO fast that we shall scarcely
be visible when she Is abeam of u.s.
Ned. get into the fore-channel and
want a boat"
These orders were rapidly obeyed
and preparations made to throw the
brig in the wind. While one man has
tily got the lantern from little round
house. in which certain stores and
tools were kept on deck; Ned Carlton
pulled of his shirt, and was in the
act Of binding it to the signal hal
yards, when the Spaniard. whose quick
ears detected some commotion, sprang
on deck, armed as usual.
On seeing Carlton busy with the hal
yards he looked round, caught sight
of the ship, which was running with
the white foam boiling under her fore
foot, and thus in a moment OWNED
what we were about.
tar 1A s,,,
Spanish he fired at Carlton, but missed
him as before. and shot dead a poor
apprentice who was close by.
"'Tarnal thunder, flesh and blood
can't bear this!" shouted Tom Lam
bourne, whose fury was boundless, and
who snatched up a capstan-bar. Bear
down on him all hands; there is neith-
er sea law no land law can help us
here!"
Snatching whatever came nearest to
hand, we all rushed upon the Cubano.
who stood boldly at bay. and keeping
the pinnacle between us and him, fired
over 1t five or six shots from his re-
volver with terrible rapidity: but so
unsteady had his hand become In con-
sequence Of his free potations below,
that eNciy puiet Hisseu, tHouBH one
cut the knuckles OF Tom Lambourne's
right hand, and another tore away the
rim of my straw hat.
He drew a second revolver from his
sash. but Lambourne. by one lucky
blow with the capstan-bar. knocked 1t
out of his hand. 1t went twenty feet
into the air and fell overheard. .f
Quick as lightning Antonio placed
the other in his breast. drew his knife,
stopped his head. and darting through
us like an eel. gave Carlton a cash in
the thigh as he passed.
He then made for the main rigging,
and sprang on the bulwark. no doubt
with the intention of running up aloft