Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-07-13


limit of his ability"
1t was now well into the evening,
and as we had settled our plans and
were weary we gave over further dis
cussion and went below.
We awoke the next morning much
refreshed, and likewise in improved
spirits. Our mates of the steerage
were all on deck, and we had an OPP
portunity for n little comforting talk.
Taking everything into account, our
prospects were not, after all, so very
bad The main question was how to
outwit the treacherous and dangerous
Pradey.
When we reached the deck we found
the ship making but a small headway,
the wind having much declined. In
deed it soon fell to a calm. We looked
vainly for the Pilanca, for she had
clean dropped us, nor was any other bit
of canvas in sight. Well to the south
the seaboard was broken, for there we
made out what must be land, and on
inquiry were told it was one of the
northernmost of the Windward
islands. Our course was now due west,
and Lieut.. Phibbert told us we were to
continue till we raised Cuba. If we
fell in with no prize by that time, he
said, we should sta1d directly for
Chagre.
We had an easy voyage across the
Caribbean, and finally made the land
fall of the isthmus. All was now stir
and excitement, for we could not say
how matters had gone, nor whether
Morgan and his fleet were here before
us. 1t was approaching nightfall as
we drew in, and it would be hard mat
ter to determine much without stand
Ing dangerously near, but Pradey did
not finch. The wind was almost from
the north. but he coolly held his
course, taking a desperado's chance of
getting out again, and so the Black
Eagle drove down till we were within
range of the glass.
My companions and I (now all
armed, and each furnished with
serviceable cuirass) stood near the
break of the quarter deck, and
watched with eagerness the motions
of the lookouts. One fellow was as
high as the fore-topgallant yard, and
another little below. The first had a
glass.
Presently this fellow hailed the deck.
What do you see? % bawled Pradey.
There are seven or eight ships"
was the answer, "and all lying well in
by the castle
"Are they big?"
at might be that half are of the size
of this, and the rest less"
"Do you make out much of the castle
and the surroundings inquired Pra-
dey.
at looks like a strong place" an
swered the sailor. ''It tops the hill,
and there is some other work at the
foot"
Pradey talked little with Phibbert.
Presently he went up TO see for him
self. At the masthead he stopped and
levelcd his glass.
"There springs up light" I said,
pointing to the now fast-rising crest
of the hill.
AS spoke two or three more glim-
mers appeared, but lower down. The
short tropic sunset was now over, and
comparative darkness was at hand.
We stirred not tack nor sheet, but
held sturdily on, and at last the out
lines Of the castle were clear to the I'M
assisted eye.
First Pradey and then the lookouts
came down, and Phibbert went aft,
and he and the captain talked briefly
together. The wind now abated a lit
tie as the light failed, and our speed
proportionally slackened.
81 fear he stands fair to fall into a
trap" said l, uneasily, to my compan-
ions. "Will he still hold on?"
II think not much farther" said Mr..
Tym, but he spoke with no great tone
of confidence.
A half mile, it might be more, and
then Pradey called Phibbert and gave
an order.
The lieutenant leaped upon gun.
Ready at the braces!" he roared.
The men rushed to obey. The cap
tain then signed to the helmsman, and
as soon as he had shouted Helms
a-lee!" the lieutenant followed with
the other orders and the ship rode
gracefully round. At the right mo-
ment the yards were ordered, and
speedily we were saving up and down,
very comfortably hove to.
"Ah, look yonner!" exclaimed Mac
Ivrach, suddenly. He pointed to spot
a little to the east of the hill. There,
in a kind of clear space brought out by
a glinting streak of the failing night, l
saw a small boat. 1t was moving sea-
ward, and was already nearly abreast
of the ship.
"We should tell the captain" I said.
. Maybe that will be what he seeks"
"Vera weel," answered the cook.
He stepped toward the poop accord
ingly, but at that moment Pradey him
calf 1puI Ia