Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-09-29
She INSTANTLY answered and parted

ment managed to explain what had
happened. She bore the news better
than I had feared. though the color
very quickly left her cheeks.
II will obey you, senor," she said. as
finished. II know that you and your
companions are brave and will beat
off those cruel men. if it be possible.
You would have your weapons. and 1
will fetch them"
With this-to my surprise, for had
not thought her such heroine-she
brought the swords and pistols and
handed them to me.
I praised her spirit. and she family
smiled, lifting her dark eyes for a
moment to mine. L helped her from
the berth. and as my companions were
waiting. and this was no time for
sentiment, turned back to them with
the weapons.
We fell to loading the pistols, and
Dona Carmen, after a long look at
the approaching boat, sat down quiet
~ on one of the neighboring thwarts.
1t was idle to deny the desperate
ness of our situation. A well-armed
boats crew to contend against, and
we numbering only four, and of those
but three well skilled in armsi To be
sure, Mr.. lynn was an astonishing
fighter, and i understood the use of
the sword better, perhaps, than any
but two or three of Morgan's entire
force. but yet this was only circum-
scribed matter. and one quickly al
tered by well-aimed pistol shot. Yet
two advantages we did have, though
h.
fearful odds. This was. first, the bet
ter target that the enemy must pre-
sent as he drew nigh, and, secondly,
the freer play we should have for our
swords when it came to the final melee.
The buccaneers boat drew on apace,
and at last began to cut clear shape,
as she rose on the swells and we got
the measured flashes of her oars. 1t
was now time that Dona Carmen
should retire (for there was no telling
how soon the opening bullet might fiy),
and [ crossed over to her and told her
so, she conserving, though with
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 a 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
mora than word 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
Of her crew. She seemed to be an or
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 II or Is
men. Some of these were in armor
as we saw by a broad CLEAN here and
there, but the greater number wore no
defensive gear. though now and then
there might be a simple headpiece or
patch of breast harness.
It 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 swell I perceived
one man rise and fetch long stare at
US. They wee yet too far off and the
boat too unsteady to be sure of faces,
but I took this person to be Towland.
I glanced at Mr.. lynn, wondering
whether he was for giving some chal
lenge or hail, but it seemed not, or else
he would be waiting little longer. for
he made no sign.
The man that had taken to be Tow
land now sat down, but with the
strokes thao Immediately followed the
boat had drawn some fathoms nearer,
and with that, as it sc emed 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 a pistol,
and his air unmovedA
Of sudden the bow of the approach
ing boat began to swing. AS the long
side gradually opened up the oars were
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.
fha