Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-08-02
CHAPTER XII.
OF THINGS ASHORE.

CHAPTER XII.
OF THINGS ASHORE.
Every one was speedily in 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 lanthorn. Pradey
thereupon hung two answering lights
over the stern. In 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 it.
Ais WE'LL" he cried as the boat
broke out into our light THE castle
is ours"
Then the men Numbered 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 a multitude of questions.
"Now. sir" said Phibbert, turning to
Pradey and touching his headpiece. 81
have the honor to report. Capt.
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 e 1000 or 6 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 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.. lynn, 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 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 threefourths of the whole
company were on deck.
Not to dwell needlessly on details.
we brought safely in, towing with a
| barge, after one tack. and soon an
chored in a little rearward 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 of it.
and their decks were also speedily
manned and volley of questions and
| ~ 10 flows y,oJraJ
| Pradey answered all briefly but good
naturally, but meanwhile gave his
chief attention to 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 a
force of 400, but at noon on the third
day, when the corps du gard was final
ly carried, his available command
numbered only go. The Spaniards
were nearly all killed, the resolute 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
concluded 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
have shore leave. Secure as the ship
was, it was deemed unnecessary to re-
serve guard, so that Pradey himself
| with the steward, were the only ones
finally left behind.
It was a gladstone sensation when
finally stepped out upon the solid quay
and 1 think that Mr.. lynn and Mac "
rach were in accord with me. The
morning was not yet far advanced, and
it was but moderately warm, the air
was pure and the sky nearly cloudless,
and before us was the dark, strong
mountain, almost fetching the eye to
little giddiness and yet pleasantly
steadfast, while breaking away to the
right was the refreshing green of the
j forest.
We made no talk for bit, the others
of the crew pushing speedily on and
leaving US, and it was only when the
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