Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-10-06

find that he showed no more than two
or three superficial wounds. The
greatest was a cut down one side of his
head, which had made considerable
blood run and given him his first shock
ing appearance. I noted, however.
that his steel breastpiece was severe
" battered, as though it had pretty
certainly protected him from more
sinister attempts, and his pot helmet.
which lay on the deck. was split in
twain a the crest.
/ finished my inspection with Mr..
Tym, but now with less anxiety, for
had seen in the first hasty glance that
he had been but lightly dealt with. A
cut across the forehead, which had
caused the dripping of blood he had
mentioned, but which was manifestly
not deep, seemed the extent of his
hurts. AS soon as might be meant to
ask him how he had managed his de-
liverance, and in what fashion he had
turned the tables on CRADLE, but just
now a still more pressing question re-
manned to be answered. This was, of
course, what had become of the rest of
the buccaneers, and how far it was GER
tain we were done with them. It will
be understood that the determination
of my companions injuries required
but a moment, and, in fact, took no
longer than while I was getting the
steadiness of my head after tumbling
into the boat. ] now found some
strength in my legs, and with a lurch
managed to gain my feet, looking
eagerly over the rail as / did so, and
was at once satisfied, yet almost con-
r s.
cancers boat had fioated some way off,
and not soul was in it, though in the
water were three swimmers making
languidly toward it. Some fathOms
out. in the direction of the becalmed
ship, was dark object-probably
corpse-and an oar and mans hat
foated near, but otherwise the neigh
borhoOd was vacant.
1t was so sharp and absolute a
change that for a moment I could
scarce make it clear in my mind, and
stood staring over the rail. But pres
emily my companions began to speak.
and this brought me back to my bal
ance, and I turned again to them. The
senorita was coming out of the cuddy.
and clambered over the bodiesto her
and drew her to a little open space
where she could stand.
She was woefully pale, yet seemed in
a brave way to control herself, though
she broke down for bit as steady
ingly pressed her hand.
''Praise God, all is over, dear lady"
said. "Yonder are the miserable relics
of the foe. It is a time such as never
thought to see and live, but is in the
most blessed manner ended. Very
quickly we shall ship the oars and be
on our way"
"Your words seem like an angels,
senor." she said, trying to command her
voice. after all that has happened,
can scarce think or reason. All, but
it was horrible! The cries and the
blows, the scraping of dying mems feet,
and the Earring of the falling bodies!
And above all was the suspensei Oh,
that suspense, senior, and in especial at
the last! But must not think of it,
only to thank you-you and your
brave companions. You are such he
roes as / believe are not elsewhere in
the world!"
NAY, senorita, you praise us beyond
our merits,"I answered, depreca tingly.
I'm truth, felt a thrill of pleasure at
her words.) eve did, grant, make
a pretty sturdy fight, but beyond that
there is no call for praise. Having un-
dertaken your defense at first, we could
not afterward, save as very poltroons,
abandon you, and in our own behalf
we did not prefer the sword or bullets
to torture"
But she would not have it. so, and in
sisted that we had first risked all in
delivering her from the castle, and
that this was a piece of heroism to
match it, adding Ito my surprise) that
she knew we had refused to deliver
her to Towland. ST peeped from the
cuddy and saw" she explained. Eyes.
senior, it was easy to understand, even
though 1 did not know a word that
was said"
of Mr.. Tym," l answered more light
iy, land. indeed, am free to say he
deserves it. The rest of US did but
obey his commands"
I think our dialogue might have
gone on moment or two longer, for
I was quite satisfied to fare so poorly
in the argument, when 1 saw that my
companions had begun to take steps
toward clearing the boat, beginning
with drawing aside the bodies, and
hastily broke off and joined them:
By this time the three swimmers
had reached their boat, and were now
pulling sluggishly toward the ship,
she hanging calm-bound as before.
I first gave a glance about the hori-
ION, looking both for a sail and any
coming of wind. but perceived neither,
and without further delay fell to
work.
should remark here that we might
be supposed to have some fears lest
the buccaneer should send another
boat. and this was at first true, but