Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-07-12
1 was quick to see the wisdom of the


/ spoke the word pirate with pur-
posed emphasis, knowing that the fell
lows in the watch-most of whom
were now.sitting up in their hunks or
Shaping about in their bare feet
would hear, and SO far understand me.
"a pirato!" went from one to an
other. The most sluggish bounced out
in twinkling.
Leaving thecook to finish with them
or those who would stay to hear
Mr. lynn and l fastened up the ladder.
Truly enough, the sun was in our
faces, and the Pilanca was driving
eastward, close hauled.
Directly astern, and I guessed now
about four or five miles distant, was
the wen-defned canvas of the sup
posed bslccaneer. There was no saying
anything about him, of course. with
out a glass. and could merely guess
that he was quite little smaller than
the Pilanca- We might be raising him,
but of course that would not be APP
parent etthout longer inspection
There was no great change in the
weather. The wind had strengthened
trifie since we went below and there
was more head to the seas, but other
wise everything stood 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
ticular confusion.
Aft found the poop cleared of bright
gowns and petticoats. the prudent old
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 quarter-deck. 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
errors 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 a 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 fellow like
the buccaneer.
"And yet" added Capt. Sellinger.
there is one point in our favor-I
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"
# conceive" said !, chat we three
should arrange some definite plot or
plan of action. Let us do so while vet
we have the time
THAT I say amen to-" said the cap
tain. ''Mr. lynn, as your brain is more
fertile than mine, conceive something"
Let US rather all consider" an
swered the supercargo. ''Say that we
do so while this watch lasts, and then
presently confer"
Agreed" we said; and in order to
get the use of our thoughts the bet
ter, as well as to avoid suspicion. Mr..
lynn and I thereupon left the captain
and mingled with the crew.
The Spaniards looked rather more
sourly than usual upon us-which, per-
haps, was no great wonder-but moth
ing was said, and we secured a quiet
roosJ upon the 'midships weather-rail-
Mr.. lynn and did not talk, for when
| IL
were busy in reflection. and I tried to
forget the chatter behind me and the
DINING along of the vessel while made
: the most of the time.
. / confess my brain refused to re-
solve anything-or anything of mo-
ment-and il was at last with some
, vexation and doubt of the whole mat
l ter that gave up and jumped off my
, perch.
The stronger wind, as it seemed, was
now helping us, for the sail astern nc
longer enlarged, after the former fash
ion. Indeed, I thought the Pilancs
was nearly holding her own. In due
time our watch went on, and till the
7 other relieved US the supercargo and
were about the deck.
LII was now the IlIne IudC we were
to meet to discuss our plans, and &C
cordingly Mr.. lynn and l slipped VI
> from below (where we had gone will
D the rest. to seem the more NATURALLY anC
r joined the captain. He had us to thu
weather bow, near the fore-deck, wher'
was no one at the time, and without de
lay we began.
There will be no need to give the full
J ness of the talk. In the end we de
: cided upon the scheme proposed b.
Mr.. lynn and slightly amended by tn
! captain. It was, in brief, that w
. should construct little float or raft
on which, as soon as it became dark
= or it was evident that the Pilanca wa
= to escape, we should boldly put off
Il We could make this cask of odds ant
= ends to be obtained for US by the cook
and the launching would be from on
y of the 'tween-deck ports.
/ Our plot laid, the next thing was
J. begin to carry it out. The cook, as w
o expected, was blithe to help u.s. IL
n deed, he seemed, thought, inclined
: go with us; but presently, as starte
IL to find out more exactly about it, b
g shifted the subject. He appeared, how
l. ever, fully enlisted in our behalf.
The materials for our raft bein
!, readily found, were put togethe
n Four casks were used to form tn