Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-07-21

'She would merely ask US to heave
to-" said Capt. Selinger in my ear.
Marry, a modest request for a craft of
200 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 I 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 fire!"
The ship trembled with the tremen-
dous conclusion. Smoke seemed to rise
from everywhere, and the buccaneer
disappeared momentaIfly behind the
veil.
When it drifted away at last he was
still driving toward us and seemingly
unframed.
Some one touched me on the arm; 1
turned and discovered Mr.. Ty4n.
"Bide a moment and then come be-
low. Let the hatch drop after you
/ was brought abruptly back to our
own business and shook myself to-
gether. Nobody seemed to be paying
L
dropped quietly down the hatch.
The place was in some gloom, for
the port on the cooks side-that is, the
one toward the enemy-was closed, and
the other stood but an inch or two upon
the hook.
'The crisis is not far off," said Mr..
lynn: wherefore we must be pre-
pared. Should the Pilanca stand the
battering and break by, we could scarce
be too speedy in taking leave
1 apprehended him. Once get the
buccaneer astern, and the Pilanca stood
fair to shake him off. In that case we
must needs act quickly or not at all.
I now inquired for Mac Ivrach, and
was told that he would be with us pres
emily.
Let us see how near she is said I,
and 1 unlocked the starboard port.
Marry, she is on our quarter!" I ex-
claimed in surprise. "She is not above
half mile distant, and we have clear
ly dropped her."
The others looked anxiously over my
shoulder.
NAY, you are little in error" said
the captain. "She is more astern, but
quite as near"
''She should put forth her best eff
forts now, wherever she isl said Mr..
lynn, after a critical glance. "She is
not sure of finding another such oppor-
tunity.''
''She fetches about to give us her
other broadside!" I exclaimed a mo-
ment later.
L felt secretly thankful that at least
the after part of the ship now pretty
effectua1ly shielded us, but
by heavens, they have winged u.s."
cried Capt. Sellinger, as sharp, crack
ling noise rose above the other sounds,
followed by the thump of some heavy
object.
"a big spar, or I am a liar." he event
on. Nay, but the buccaneer manages
bravely!"
THAT may bring the matter to a
head,'' said Mr.. lynn, coolly. 81 think
we should now do we'll 20 arm"
We ran over to our own corner, &C
cordingly, and hurriedly produced our
concealed weapons. These had been
hidden away since first we came on
board. With other preparations, Mr..
lynn failed not to screw in his curious
arm dagger.
Scarce was this done when some of
the Pilanca's guns began in tSlrn to
thunder. None were of large caliber,
being merely a few deck pieces on the
stern, and we felt little fear of their
work.
''Some one comes!" I cried, for at
that moment the hatch in the fore
castle banged sharply down.
II think Mac Ivrach," cried Mr.. lynn,
stepping out where he could command
the view. Aye" he Immediately an
nounced, sit is the cook"
The fellow came in run. Launch
the raft" he cried, land dinna stop to
claver! A thinks hae gaen wrang!"
we paused for no more than to get
the sense of his words, and flew to the
raft and dragged it out.
There were now varied humping
noises on deck, which 1 took to be the
clearing away of the fallen spar and
other debris, and I was just wondering
whether the ships people felt assured
of their escape when there was a COM
motion of voices aft, and Immediately
a little thunder of trucks showed that
the door leading into the soldiers
berth had been run open.
"Quick!" cried Mr.. Tym. "Out with
it, The guards are upon u.s."
We snatched up the raft as though
it had been clothes pole and made
one fair thrust of it into the water.
Dell TAX the -airn pots!" growled
Mac Ivrach. They hae BROUGHT ABBOTT
this banchle! Their craving ballies
couldna hide till the mess
Listen, friends said Mr.. lynn with
out turning his head. I'VE must fetch
this thing to close. In moment they
will have firearms, and it will be too
late. I see no hope except that the
captain and I may stand them off till
you, Ardick, with Mac Ivrach retreat
4 hnf ,al, n