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

On returning TO the deck we 1ound
the situation in a small degree
changed. The buccaneer still stormed
along in our wake, but now with lit
tie gain, and the Pilanca continued to
hug the wind. By eight bells the enc
my was clearly rising, and at two bells
he was not greatly beyond cannon
range.
l stood by, ready to jump and haul.
and with quickening of excitement
awaited the next turn of events.
1t was not long in coming. Capt.
Placido swung upon the lee bulwark,
holding on by the main shrouds, and
beloved:
Down helm! Slack lee bracesl
Haul on the weather."
"By heavens! He means to run the
gantlet!" exclaimed Mr.. lynn.
So it seemed. The buccaneer had
been on our lee bow when first discov-
cred, and was still well to the south.
BY squaring our yards, then, and de-
liberately pointing our nose south
west, we meant 10 run under his very
nose.
"And yet it stands to be his safest
plan" said Capt. Sellinger. "A ship
like this. riding light and with poop
like church, will do nothing save with
the wind. Once let us fetch by and our
chances are doubled"
The buccaneer had altered his
course as we altered ours, and was now
standing few points south Of iast.
He could scarce be better than mile
and half away, and we saw plainly
the moving black dots of the crew
about his decks. He was handsome,
tigerish-looking fellow, let him be who
or what he might.
Nearer and nearer swung the buc-
cancer. Icouid catch even the flash of
his wet side now, as he rolled, with a
sort of swagger, to the successive, up
lifting seas. Nearer still, till half
mile is reeled off, and less than a whole
one separates us.
A drum on our quarter deck beat.
The nrmored guards fell into line, and
their captain drew his sword and
stepped out upon the flank. Three of
the Gons came out of the cabin, all in
cuirasses, buff gantlets, and broad
belts hung with pistols. Don Luis
Delasco, the governors son-in-law,
was one of the trio. Then it was Capt.
Placido's turn. He came to the break
of the quarter deck and faced us.
Bring up powder and ball for the
deck guns. Take the hoods off the
brass pieces. Two more men at the
helm. 6unners for the port guns be-
low. Master Pedillo, unlock the arms
chests and have the hangers and pis-
tolls passed up. Master Lonzelo, take
six men and fetch up the pixies. Pedro,
see that buckets of water are set
about, and when all is ready put on the
hatches."
Larger and larger grew the buc-
cancer. The black dots took on the
shape of human figures, and the eight
ports in his side cut out square, each
with its round, target-like ring.
A gun! The Jet of flame leaped from
the foredeck, and the powder cloud
blew of to leeward. But it was harm
less. 1t had been fred across our
bows. Then something shook out
above the heads of those on his quarter
deck, and up to the mizzen topgallant
mast travelled flag. 1t blew out as 1t
went, broad, double cross on crimson
field.
English" could not help saying,
with the water ready to start in my
eyes. God bless her!"
"She would merely ask us to heaye
to-" said Capt, sellinger in my ear.
"Marry, a modest request for a craft Of
goo tons TO make Of one of five! Now,
let's see what the old peacock will do"
Capt. Placido hurried up to the gov.
ernor and said few words. What the
answer was could not guess, but at
once the captain ran to the main
hatch, lifted it, and roared down:
Train your broadside and fire!"
Then he waved his arms and shouted
to those manning the guns:
"Aim and frel"
The ship trembled with the tremcn-
dous concussion. Smoke seemed to rise
from everywhere, and the buccaneer
disappeared momertarily behind the
veil.
When II drifted awayaat last he was
still driving toward us and seemingly
uuharmed.
Some one touched me on the arm;
turned and discovered Mr., Tym.
"Bide q moment and then come be-
low. Lot the hatch drop after you"
l was brought abruptly back TO our
own business and shook myself to-
gether Nobody seemed to be paying
any attention to me. Islipped over and
dropped quietly down Vie hatch.