Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-06-15

dS may uS wen tlNAsi, ~ W biiNls 81
did the next three days. The weather
held fair, with moderate winds, and
there was nothing to put strain upon
anyone.
Meanwhile that this time was pass
ing my companions and | had come by
Il better knowledge of things touch
ing the voyage and the governors
plans. 1t seemed we were to make but
one more port before reaching Chagre,
that being a place called Baracoa, in
the eastern part of the island of Cuba,
There the governor was to transact
some business and obtain such fresh
stores as we needed, and thence meant
to fetch straight over for Chagre.
On the morning of the fourth day
after our rescue something of thrill
ing and in part Of a dreadful sort hap
pened, and this | shall now proceed to
detail. Mr.. Tym and | were lying in
our hammoclls, it being our watch be-
w,when l thought heard some small
stir on deck, followed by the bawling
of voices, as though delivering com
mands. | sat up and listened, sor
could not guess what was in the wind,
and as l did so the ship suddenly Logan
to saw up and down.
What is doing?" queried Mr.. Tym,
sitting up in his hammock as had
done.
at is passing singular" l said, and
with one mind we rose and scutfed into
our shoes, having a keen desire to
solve the mystery. In the forecastle
beyond we met the cook, who haC just
descended the ladder. lie was little
out of breath, as though from hurry,
and his looks showed something had
happened.
"Hoots!" he cried, without waiting
for US to speak. I'VE are a in peellle.
a buccaneer will be DOT yonder."
"a buccaneer!" | cried, in surprise
and joy. Are you certain? Nay that
is a pickle that is right enough. When
did he heave in sight?"
HE has been showing a the watch, :"
he answered, land now we are rising
him fast. Gin We are e'er sac wal
pleased We wad be wise to hide it," he
added, under his breath.
Twas quick to see the wisdom Of the
suggestion and returned an answering
nod. Come, Mr.. Tym," 1 said, in a
lower and soberer key, Iet us &c and
have look at this pirate"
l spoke the word pirate with pur-
posed emphasis, knowing that the fel-
lows in the watch-most of whom
were now sitting up in their bunks or
81 1t,
would hear, and so far understand me.
"A pirato." went from one to an
other. The most sluggish bounced out
in a twinkling.
Leaving thecook to finish with them
or those who would stay to hear
Mr.. Tym and l hastened up the ladder.
Truly enough, the sun was in our
faces, and the Pilanca wax driving
eastward, close hauled.
Directly astern, and I guessed now
about four or five miles distant, was
the well-defned canvas of the sup
posed buccaneer. There was no saying
anything about him, of course, with
out a glass. and / could merely guess
that he was quite a little smaller than
the Pilanca. We might be raising him,
but of course that would not be APP
parent without longer inspection.
There was no great change in the
weather. The wind had strengthened
a trifle since we went below and there
was more head to the seas, but other
wise everything stool nearly the same.
In this part of the ship the watch
hung about the braces, as though for
orders, and there was an anxious, sub
dued jabber running round, but no par
ticular confusion.
Aft found the poop cleared cf bright
gowns and petticoats, the prudent Uld
governor thinking, doubtless, it might
be wise to offer as few allurements as
possible, and in their place were five
or six of the shining, armored guards.
Others of these fighting men were dis
posed about the quarterback, and all
told, guessed the entire company was
on duty. The governor himself. a
somber-lined cloak flung over his gay
attire, was walking to and fro on the
poop, and Capt. Placido was spying with
aglass from the wether miZzen shrouds.
1t went grievously against the gov
ernor's pride and that of the dons to
run away, but in prudence no other
course seemed open. Besides, the safe
ty of the women was to be considered.
The foe had the advantage of nimbler.
handier-working ship, and doubtless
mustered an equal or larger crew.
We discussed the matter at some
length, and decided that great water
castle like the Pilanca, with relative
ly small sails and bluff bows must be
inferior at plying, and that some excel
lent trick of seamanship would be need
ed if we were to shake Off a fellow like
the buccaneer.
and yet" added Capt. Sellinger,
there is one point in our favor
mean in favor of the Pilanca-the wind
is stiffening. Should it continue she
can carry on to beat this fellow, and
may yet escape"
81 conceive" said l, that we three
should arronue some dafnitp DlOt or