Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-06-23
per. "a word with you, if you viii,

I was past him he gently closed the
door.
i Immediately advanced my lips to
his ear, and acquainted him, in the
fewest words possible, with what was
doing. Speak cautiously, sir" con-
cluded, 'for you know the mates
berth adjoins this"
He took away his head, and looked at
me as one thunderstruck. Instead OF
answering, he plncked off his bar
nacles and put them in the case, and
walked to the window. I conceived
that he might be collecting his wits,
which must be little shaken, and that
without any impairment of his cour-
age. Clapping up his hand to guide the
sound, he said in my ear:
I'VE will confound the arch villain.
Stay but moment, till I can prepare,
and we will be about it,
My own spirits and courage rose at
this, and 1 stood up very sturdily, as 1
nodded assent.
He thereupon softly advanced to the
wall, whence he took down his sword
and buckled it on, and from beneath
his bunk produced box, which proved
to contain brace of pistols, with pow
der and ball.
He handed these weapons % me with
a sign to load them, and while I was
obeying him he took from a covered
shelf against the bulkhead a little
iron tool, which at first l took to be
kind of awl, and this he proceeded to
screw into the wooden cap of his arm,
having first removed the iron hook.
I was now ready to hear him declare
his plan, but he first took from a nail
a coil of small cord, after which he
whispered in my ear:
Before aught else is done we must
secure the mate. That stands clear in
my mind. And we may not wait to
summon the captain, lest the fellow
take the alarm. Mark me, I will knock
Oh his door, and say 1 desire to speak
with him. On his appearance we will
each clap a pistol to his head-take
you this-and compel him forth and
bind him."
He softly opened the door, and we
stole out. As 1 crossed the threshold,
/ heard sharp, sudden little knock
ing from somewhere in the shadow of
the table. 1t gave me start, and l
glanced that way, only to discover that
which affected my nerves vast deal
more. A tall but stopped figure made
a scramble from all tours to it's feet,
and with one long, straddling bound
was bursting out of the companion.
"Pradey!" yelled the supercargo,
and let fly with his pistol.
could see that he was too late, and
thereupon, with a shock of alarm and
modification, I made dash of it also,
and few through the open door. The
mate was bounding off the quarter
deck to the main, shouting out some
thing which I did not catch, and in
veritable fury I let go my pistol. I
could not have made close shot, but
his yelling increased, and now could
see the crew pouring out of the fore
castle hatch. and the watch running
toward him. I had the sense to per
ceive that all was up, and sullenly re-
treated, stopping at the companion
to shoot the bolt of the door.
When 1 turned about, though the
place was still little smoky, I made
out both the supercargo and the cap
tain, the latter in his shirt, with a
drawn sword in his hand.
pray you Dress" said Mr.. lynn, with
excellent GOODNESS, as the captain stood
fast. glazing ferce1y toward the com
panion. "Nay, we are safe enough for
the moment" he added, glancing down
at the door leading into the tween
decks, which 1 now perceived he had
secured.
"The abominable villain!" growled
Sellinger, relaxing his warlike attitude,
however, and lowering his point. 81
will take your advice, and be with you
presently"
He withdrew into his berth, and Mr..
lynn said to me, almost humorously:
'Abominable or not, he played a
shrewd part, and is like to reap the
reward of it. A very pretty piece of
eavesdropping, indeed"
'How will it be with us now?''
asked, aloud. "Can we make suff-
cient defense, think you?"
Nay" he answered, coolly, mot if
they stand to it with heart You con-
ceive that they have in all points the
advantage. They can starve us out
for we have nothing beyond few bis
cults, and no drink but wine-or can
batter in the doors, and bear us down
by main force; or they can set a watch
upon US, and keep us boxed up here till
they reach some convenient point, when
they can scuttle the ship, and leave us
in the plight of so many inconvenient
kittens"
'Stay!" cried, as sudden thought
struck me. 81 think they will be at
none of that. I mean the scuttling.
Remember you not the magpie from
the Happy Bess? He that yarned so
concerning Morgan? I am ready to
that HE foII ~,
scheming have brought this about
These rogues will be for turning pi-
rates"
had just uttered this when Capt.
SelIlnger came out of his cabin. He was