Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-07-19
flooding back frothing and divided |

4
The next crest and looked around. To
my joy Mr.. lynn was close at hand,
splitting and shaking his head, as
thoughshe had just come up from his
dive, but riding lightly and easily.
Turning my head to see what had be-
come of Mac Ivrach and the raft, saw
the structure pitching up and down
on a neighboring sea, but to my sor-
row without the Scotchman.
In the line of the raft, but near a
mile away. was the pursuing ship. She
was a bad mess forward, for her spri.
| topmast had been shot away, and some
| of the litter was dragging over the
bows.
/ had time for no more than this
| fash of look about. All my atten-
ton was now upon the rushing bulk of
the ship. She was so near
that l could see little higher than her
bulwarks. Her ports on that side were
open, though the guns had not been
used, and in each opening were the
| protruding heads of the gunners.
The ship seemed to lift away from
us, and at once we got the range of
her whole side. To my dismay all the
bulwarks were overhung with heads
and dozen or more of the steel
shelled guards showed above the low
poop rail. The story of our doings had
spread over the ship at last, and doubt
less the angry dons were primed for
vengeance.
There seemed to be nothing that we
| could do, unless it was to dive, as they
made to fire, and that would be likely
to prove of little avail. Our main hope
| must be in the poorness of their aim
and the little time we should be within
range. l did not forget also that our
bobbing heads presented rather infe.
rior targets. They let go soon enough.
for l had scarce gotten the whole
range of their side when score OF
more of guns and pistols were aimed,
some from as far forward as amid.
ships, and a blaze among the whole
line followed.
Poor shooting, sir!" shouted, not
little relieved and even eXhilarated.
"Shall we swim for the raft?"
We turned as he spoke, and to my
establishment there was the raft close
| at hand. For some reason it had come
before the wind faster than I could
have calculated and was ready now as
a very timely refuge.
We disregarded further danger from
the shooting and faced about. The raft
came on, climbing crest at the mo-
ment and riding swiftly down again
and it was then that both of us cried
out in amaZement. For a human head
was sticking above the stern end and
a familiar shock of light hair, albeit
now darkened a little with the wet,
covered the head. In a word, it was
the worthy cook
Else be there in blink" he called
"Dinna We waste your strength"
We gave over further effort accord.
ingly and directly the affair rode down
to us. was the first out of the water,
and gave Mr.. lynn pull, after which
Mac Ivrach himself crawled out.
We seized his hand and shook it
heartily.
And you saw us, and urged the raft
along?" said. "Seasonably done, for
we were like to be weary ere we
| fetched it."
rs not the buccaneer recovering
himself in some ?- inquired Mr..
lynn, after moment or two.
1 rose as high as my knees and took
a shrewd look.
Aye, he has got the greater part OF
the mess cleared away, and holds on
his course" I answered. "Ah, me! il
| the poor captain were but with ust" ]
added with sigh.
| sSMifhor- ~, ColtO l>,,,e& o.% NJ.
Ivrach. Look yonner!"
We had taken our eyes for moment
from the Pilanca. but at this dreadful
exclamation half sprang up and
turned that way. What we saw struck
the blood from our cheeks, and left us
silent with CONSERVATION. The ship had
| fetched, perhaps, two points to the
wind, so that again we had an oblique
view of her side, and a scene on her
main deck was brought to view. A
| group of figures there moved, and in
the instant single shape rose above
their heads and travelled up swiftly to
the main yardarm! There it seemed
to bangle for moment, and then fell
into the motion of the ship, and swung
| pendulum-like, in board and out.
1t was time of horror, and scarce
know what we said. We had no doubt
that the man was the captain, for who
else could be executed at such time
Moreover, when I came to look more
intently, made out a patch of white
about the upper part of his figure,
which would answer for the ca ptain's
shirt, none of the crew wearing a gar
ment of that description, but only
| blouses and dark tunics.
We crouched low again, and watched
the poor body as it jerked and swung.
There was a dreadful fascination in
the sight, and for one could not take
my eyes from it. I have the thought
that the supercargo broke out a
swearing once, not loud, but as might
say between his teeth, and that [
laughed savagely when heard him.
The buccaneer continued to bear
| down upon us, and as soon as he was
within reasonable signaling distance
Mac Iyrach took off his waistcoat and
waved it. 1t was as large a distress
| flag as we had, for all of US were with.
| out coats.
| Cro BE Continued
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