Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-05-05

while the third held his peace, leaning with
folded arms and skillfu balancing of his
person against one of the bunk uprights.
You say you are New Bedford ad?"
said |, speaking to the man who had made
The statement.
Yes, sir; New Bedford, sir" came his
ready answer. 81 was pressed in Ports
mouth three years agone, sir, while on shore
leave from the Sallie Null, trader sir. I've
been sailin' in these here home waters for
nigh on two year, sir, with never chance to
run. | say it boldly, sir Put me in three
miles O the coast an give me leave, sir, an
III go over the bow, damn me, an swim
ashore. But won't join the Yankee navy,
sir, No, sir. | don't want to hang; but,
for Gods sake, sir, don't get taken, else
back to the Sprite I'll have TO go, an I'd
as soon so to hell for a spell o sufferin'i"
looked sharply at the third man, ex.
pecting some word from him. but he shifted
his eye from mine, giving me something like
a sheer and Struggling his bony shoulders,
but vouchsating nothing IN the way OF
words. He was a dogged looking rascal,
with broad, red scar across nose and
cheek, saher slash without doubt Raw
boned and light Of weight, he looked like a
sleeping cat az he loiled against the up.
right, his lack Of brute strength probably
balanced by great activity
Come, lads' said |, Ignoring theatttude
of the silent man, I'm be frank with you
I'm Donald Thorndylie, of the American
forces. The schooner was taken by me sin,
sle-handed, and the Sprlte is beyond all
bearings. Lounsbury is overheard, there
are two sick in the cabin, and the surgeon is
1T my mercy so are <ou + you abide not
by the terms | offer. The schooner 10 in
danger, and unless you turn out It's like
| you'll find the forecastle coffin. If make
| no mistake, We're in for a watt that will
| come nigh to blowing us out OF water If we
| don roll our spars out before. Get on deck
and work the schooner under my command
until we make Holmes Hole in the Vine.
! yard, an when you set foot ashore you are
| tree men. | have no rations and no water
| The scuttle butt has launched itself over
| board, and | am afraid of the supply in the
| forehold. There's not shilling in ii for any
| of you, but It's fair way of escaping the
| kings navy without deserving, for III put
| you on parole. | tell you, lads, I'm bad
one to foul, but you'll find have an easy
helm and never miss stays ii handled hon.
estly Now choose betwixt this hole and
the deck, and choose in hurry! Ifyou are
to save neck and freedom, throw down you,
knives as sign; I've no more time te
waste"
The two who had spoken looked askant
each at the other, and the knife of the
original spokesman fell to the deck. As the
hand of the Yankee sought the sheath the
third man spoke, unfolding his arms anc
scowling like thunder as he gave vent to hi.
words.
"Ye two be domned fools to be trustin
rebel an runnin' yez head into tn moose
BE yez a couple O babbys not to mark hi.
firearm is useless wi tn wet? 'Ee's in ou
lands! Wot's to 'inder our takin' the Graf
an gettia' tn price that lies on the cad o
this ere"
He got no further. 1 strobe up to hin
and snapped my fingers in his face, then
thrusting my eyes close to his, Numbered
"on deck with We, We blatherskite! II
see that we sing tune with old iron in i
ere sunrise tomorrow! On deck, l tell ye!'
Notwithstanding the din already exist
ing in the forecastle, my voice rose far abov
it, its violence and the suddenness of m,
move making the man shrink back as though
| frightened. But he was not oowed. Gather