Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-05-19

long breath and sad little clasping
of her hands that seemed to be most
pathetic. I said what could to
hearten her God knows it was little,
| and that, with the best resolution |
could muster, but holloway spoken),
and returned to my former place, my
spirits lower, I think, than at any
time since the buccaneer had hove in
sight. There were still few last
| things to be done, such as to make a
bunt of the sail. and run the boom
up out of the way, and to lay the oars
along forward, and these, with no
more than word or two, we did.
by this time the coming boat was al
most within pistol shot, and, bows-on
though she was, we could make out
something of her size and the number
binary ships longboat, nigh as big
as the sloop, and by such a view as we
got. when she fetched her downward
tilt, contained not fewer than IA or IS
men. Some of these were in armor,
as we saw by broad CLEAN here and
there, but tho greater number wore no
defensive gear, though now and then
there might be simple headpiece or
patch of breast harness.
1t continued to grow, and shortly
could resolve the figures of the men.
and could perceive quicker play of
light on their arms and harnesses,
which took to mean that they were
making some stir of preparation. A
bit nearer, and the fellows in the bow
began to screw their heads about and
look over their shoulders, and as the
stern uptilted on a swell I perceived
one man rise and fetch long stare at
us. They were yet too far off and the
boat too unsteady to be sure of faces,
but I took this person to be Towland.
glanced at Mr.. lynn, wondering
whether he was for giving some chal-
lenge or hail, butit seemed not, or else
he would be waiting a little longer, for
he made no sign.
The man that I had taken to be Tow
land now sat down, but with the
strokes that i1nmediat ely followed the
boat had drawn some fathoms nearer,
and with that, as it seemed of sudden
the different faces on board came out.
The man in the stern sheets was in
deed Towland. and besides him per-
ceived Capt. byte, Paul CRADLE and
several of the different gangs.
There was now no time to lose if we
would in any sort parley, for they were
almost upon us. Indeed, had already
looked for some opening shot, which
perhaps only a fear of harming Lady
Carmen had deferred them from Civ
ing. Nevertheless Mr.. lynn continued
as before, each hand holding pistol,
and his air unmoved. ..-.
OF sudden the bow of the approach
ing boat began to swing. AS the long
side gradually opened up the oarswerc
lifted and hung dripping, and the
heavy craft forged sluggishly down
upon our quarter. Towland bent for
ward then, and in his harsh voice
shouted:
"Sloop ahoy!"
Whereupon Mr.. lynn rose quietly to
his feet.
"'Board the boat!"
do YOU surrender"
"What. will you do with us if we
comply?"
eve will carry you back, and Nor
gan shall judge YOU"
"And what" pursued Mr.. lynn, calm
~, will you do with the lady?"
Towland appeared to hesitate. "she
shall not need to complain" he said at
last. IF you will know, Capt. aBlyt.,
and mean Jointly to care for her"
"a very pretty PLAN" rejoined Mr..
lynn, and he almost smiled. "Never-
theless fear it will not do. It may be
the lady is something over particular"
Towland stood like great iron
statue for a moment, as though hard
ly able to credit this audacious answer.
Then he turned and made swift sign.
Instantly the fellows at the oars let
fall and gave way.
"Now!" cried Mr.. lynn. whirling
upon us. Cup and firc!"
Promptly enough we responded.
AS Towland gave his sign we thrust
forward our weapons, steadied them
while ones pulse might give a single
beat, and fired
"Down!" shouted Mr.. lynn again.
We all dropped, and no sooner so
than five or six pistols banged in re-
spouse, and at least one ball buried it.
self with spiteful chug in the boat.
We scrambled up, drawing our
swords and remaining pistols, and as
the smoke lifted were able to see what
we had done.
Both bow oarsmen were gone and in
a little space amidships, piled up in a
shining kind of bundle, was one of the
fellows in armor. All passed, as it
were, at glimpse, for the smoke was
hardly up and we ready in our places
before the other fellows at the oars
gave few furious tugs, and their bow
came churning up to our quarter.
We stood fast with our last pistols,
and as the oars ratified in and the
boats nose forged past, we fetched
swiftly to bear and let go.
| Some one shouted, and I thought
there was crash, as though at least
one fellow had gone down, but before
the smoke had fully cleared their bow
ground along our side and the boats
length of them balanced themselves
for the spring aboard.
From here lose nigh all but my own
personal part Of the business. know
that the nearest fellow came first to
Mr.. lynn, and received a swift under
stroke that whipped the whole side of
his neck open. and thereupon fell back
! II