Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-08-04

were weary we gave over further dis
cussion and went below.
We awoke the next morning much
refreshed, and likewise in improved
spirits. Our mates Of the steerage
were all on deck, and we had an OPP
portunity for little comforting talk.
Taking everything into account, our
prospects were not, after all, so very
bad. The main question was how to
outwit the treacherous and dangerous
Pradey.
When we reached the deck we found
the ship making but small Roadway,
the wind having much declined. In
deed. it soon fell to calm. We looked
vainly for the Pilanca, for she had
clean dropped US, nor was any other bit
of canvas in sight. Well to the south
the seaboard was broken, for there we
made out what must be land, and on
inquiry were told it was one of the
northernmost of the Windward
islands. Our course was now due west,
and Lieut.. Phibbert told us we were to
continue till we raised Cuba. If we
fell in with no prize by that time, he
said, we should stand directly for
Chagre.
We had an easy voyage across the
Caribbean, and finally made the land
fall of the isthmus. All was now stir
and eXcite ment, for we could not saw
how matters had gone, nor whether
Morgan and his fleet were here before
us. 1t was approaching nightfall as
we drew in, and it would be hard mat
ter to determine much without stand
ing dangerously near, but Pradey did
not finch. The wind was almost from
the north, but he coolly held his
course, taking a desperado's chance of
getting out again, and SC the Black
Eagle drove down till, we were within
range of the glass.
My companions and I (now ali
armed, and each furnished with a
serviceable cuirass) stood near the
break of the quarter deck, and
watched with eagerness the motions
of the lookouts. One fellow was as
high as the fore-topgallant yard, and
another a little below. The first had d
glass.
Presently this fellow hailed the deck
What do you see?' bawled Pradey.
"There are seven or eight ships"
was the answer, land all lying we'll in
by the CASTLE
''Are they big?"
at might be that half are of the size
of this, and the rest less
DO you make out much of the castle
and the surroundings inquired Pra-
dey.
1T looks like strong place." an
severed the sailor. "It tops the hill,
and there is some other work at the
foot
Pradey talked little with Phibbert.
Presently he went up to see for him
self. At the masthead he stopped and
leveled his glass.
There springs up a light" L said,
pointing to the now fast-rising crest
of the hill.
AS ] spoke two or three more glim-
mers appeared, but lower down. The
short tropic sunset was now over, and
comparative darkness was at hand.
We stirred not tack nor sheet. but
held sturdily on, and at last the out
lines Of the castle were clear to the I'M
assisted eye.
First Pradey and then the lookouts
came down, and Phibbert went aft,
and he and the captain talked briefly
together. The wind now abated lit
tie as the light failed, and our speed
proportionaHy slackened.
Il fear he stands fair to fall into a
trap" said I, uneasily, to my compan-
ions. ''Will he still hold on?''
Il think not much farther" said Mr..
lynn, but he spoke with no great tone
of confidence.
y half mile, it might be more, and
then Pradey called Phibbert and gave
an order.
The lieutenant leaped upon gun.
Ready at the bracest" he roared.
The men rushed to obey. The cap
tain then signed to the heImsman, and
as soon as he had shouted ''Helm's
| a-lee!" the lieutenant followed with
the other orders and the ship rode
gracefully round. At the right mo-
ment the yards were ordered, and
speedily we were saving up and down,
very comfortably hove to.
'Ah. look yonner!" exclaimed Mac
Ivrach, suddenly. He pointed to a spot
little to the east of the hill. There,
in kind of clear space brought out by
glinting streak of the failing night,
saw small boat. 1t was moving sea-
ward, and was already nearly abreast
of the ship.
1--WE should tell the captain I said.
Maybe that will be what he seeks"
Vera weel," answered the cook
He stepped toward the poop accord
ingly, but at that moment Pradey him
self made the discovery
Boat he sang out. wheeling sharp
~ round. Master Phibbert, get way
on the ship"
"A fisher" said an old buccaneer
near me. 1T is the very chance the
captain was tarrying for"
1t seemed so, indeed, and again be-
gan to think l had moderated Pra-
dey's sagacity. In a moment the ship
was ready to come about.