The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-07-19

my JOY Mr. lynn was close at hand,
splitting and shaking his head, as
thoughshe had just come up from his
dive, but riding lightly and easily.
Turning my head to see what had be-
come of Mac Ivrach and the raft, l saw
the structure pitching up and down
on neighboring sea, but to my sor-
row without the Scotchman.
In the line of the raft, but near
mile away, was the pursuing ship. She
was bad mess forward, for her spirit
topmast had been shot away, and some
of the litter was dragging over the
| bows.
had time for no more than this
fash Of look about. All my atten-
tion was now upon the rushing bulk of
the ship. She was so near
that could see little higher than her
bulwarks. Her ports on that side were
open, though the guns had not been
used, and in each opening were the
protruding heads of the gunners.
The ship seemed to lift away from
us, and at once we got the range of
her whole side. To my dismay all the
bulwarks were overhung with heads
and a dozen or more of the steel
shelled guards showed above the low
poop rail. The story of our doings had
spread over the ship at last, and doubt
less the angry dons were primed for
vengeance.
There seemed to be nothing that we
could do, unless it was to dive, as they
made to fire, and that would be likely
to prove of little avail. Our main hope
must be in the poorness of their aim
and the little time we should be within
range. / did not forget also that our
bobbing heads presented rather infe-
rior targets. They let go soon enough,
for had scarce gotten the whole
range of their side when score or
more of guns and pistols were aimed,
some from as far forward as amid
ships, and blaze among the whole
line followed.
Poor shooting, sir!" shouted, not
little relieved and even exhilarated.
"Shall we swim for the raft?"
We turned as he spoke, and to my
astonishment there was the raft close
at hand. For some reason it had come
before the wind faster than | could
have calculated and was ready now as
very timely refuge.
We disregarded further danger from
the shooting and faced about. The raft
came on, climbing a crest at the mo-
ment and riding swiftly down again,
and it was then that both of US cried
out in amazement. For a human head
was sticking above the stern end, and
a familiar shock of light hair, albeit
now darkened little with the wet,
covered the head. In word, it was
the worthy cook
Else be there in blink" he called
"Dinna ye waste your strength
We gave over further effort accord
ingly and directly the affair rode down
to US. was the first out of the water
and gave Mr.. lynn a pull, after which
Mac Ivrach himself crawled out.
We seized his hand and shook it
heartily.
And you saw us, end urged the raft
along?" l said. "Seasonably done, for
we were like to be weary ere we
fetched it,"
is not the buccaneer recovering
himself in some sort2" inquired Mr.
Tym, after moment OF two.
| | rose as high as my knees and took
a shrewd look.
AYE, he has got the greater part OF
the mess cleared away, and holds on
his course answered. "Ah, me! il
the poor captain were but with us!"
added with a sigh.
"Mither O. Godl" burst out Mac
Ivrach. Look yonner!"
We had taken our eyes for a moment
from the Pilanca. but at this dreadful
exclamation half sprang up and
turned that way. What we saw struck
the blood from our cheeks, and left uS
silent with CONSERVATION. The ship had
fetched, perhaps, two points to the
wind, so that again we had an oblique
view of her side, and scene on her
main deck was brought to view. A
group of figures there moved, and in
the instant single shape rose above
their heads and travelled up swiftly to
the main yardarm There it seemed
to dangle for a moment, and then fell
into the motion of the ship, and swung
pendulum-like, in board and out.
1t was time of horror, and scarce
know what we said. We had no doubt
that the man was the captain, for who
else could be executed at such a time {
Moreover, when came to look more
in:ently, made out patch of white
about the upper part of his figure,
which would answer for the captains
shirt, none of the crew wearing gar
ment of that description, but only
blouses and dark tunics.
We crouched low again, and watched
the poor body as it jerked and swung
There was a dreadful fascination in
the sight, and for one could not take
my eyes from it. have the thought
that the supercargo broke out a.
swearing once, not loud, but as might
say between his teeth, and that
laughed savagely when heard him.
The buccaneer continued to bear
down upon us, and as soon as he was
within reasonable signaling distance
Mac Ivrach took off his waistcoat and
waved it. 1t was as large a distress
flag as we had, for all of us were with
out coats.
fro BE Continued