The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-06-14

the English. When this had passed
some one brought up the doings of
our ships abroad, and nvtably in pirat-
ical waters, and from here we natural
ly fell to talking of the buccaneers.
NAY, mates," said the younger of
the two sailors, ~ think / can say a
word here that shall put little tingle
into your blood. l trow every jack of
you has heard OF Henry MorganP"
"Ay, ay," cried near all our fellows
together. THE great freebooter"
added several.
"Belay, there, mates, and hear me-"
said the sailor, flourishing his pipe for
silence. Hast heard what Capt.
Morgan is now about?"
"No, mol" cried the crew.
"Well, mates, it is the greatest thing
conceived by English sailors since the
days of Drake. Naught less than the
taking of Panama."
Our men broke out in hearty note Of
applause.
"Stay moment" I struck in at this
point, and speaking with disapprov-
ing air. VI think but little Of this news
of yours. What have the Spaniards
done to us that we should deal with
them in such a fashion? To my think
ing it is no better than rank piracy"
"Yet it has the warrant of the king,
else report is liar" said the sailor,
briskly.
"Nay," said I, coldly, 81 must needs
have proof of that. l cannot think his
majesty would consent to such ill-doing.
Besides, England and Spain are at
peace, and this would surely involve
them in war"
"Well, Master Ardick, you take me
out of soundings there" said the sailor,
with a laugh. 81 must stick to my
facts-for facts I still think they be
and let such deep matters CO."
"Nay, nay" said /, uneasily, for now
began to fear the influence of such
talk on the men; "this is all an i'll busi-
ness. Morgan and his fellows are but
pirates, letters of commission or no,
and it will be a wonder if they do not
end their days on the gallows, which at
least they deserved"
But here some grumbling arose from
our fellows. "'Vast, Master Ardick;
brace not so sharp up" said one. "a
commission from the king is deep wa
ter enough for me-" said a second,
"Who would be nice of Spaniard"'
said a third. And so the murmur went
around.
"Nay, then, listen an you will" l
said, with some disgust, Little good
will it do you, unless you mean to join
Morgan yourselves, and that, con-
celve, you can scarce do at present"
With this I withdrew a bit into the
background, yet not so far, must adj
init, but l could hear the further talk
panama taker," pursued the sailor,
who was now quite at his ease, and
flourished his pipe in an important
style, there will be some small jollity
for poor Jack. Not less than month
in the city, will be bound, and no man
overhauled for steering his own
course! You shall conceive me, mates,
what that may mean! Rare women,
l am told, there be in Panama, and not
least a considerable nunnery. Besides,
there are the old wines and the noble
pieces of eight"
Our foolish fellows must break out
again in applause.
By this time had fully resolved that
the fellow was but windy forecastle
orator and harmless of himself, so he
did not lead away men of weaker un'
derstanding. Our crew continued to
question him, aud he related more do
ings of Morgan, and so they went on
till the matter was, az conceived
talked out. We had little discourse
of other things, and presently the two
captains came np from below, and our
visitors knocked the ashes from Their
pipes and hied them to their boat. The
other captain gone, we got the cloths
upon the ship, and shortly she wa,
drawing away on her course.
Matters on the Industry now went
on as before, and, except that we had
more Morgan talk and a little moon
ing and signing from some of the men
there was nothing to disturb the for
mer monotony.
One evening, being newly come out
to take charge of my watch, lighted
my pipe and sauntered off leisurely to
the poop, meaning to take a look at
our course. l had proceeded as far as
the ladder, and | think even had one
foot upon it, when l heard my name
sharply yet stealthily called. Ihalted,
in some surprise, and found that the
speaker was old Jack Lewson.
"St! Master Ardick," he said, shut.
fling up hurriedly. Delay jaw tackle
and stow this away. Overhaul it when
nobody is looking"
He thrust bit of paper into my
hand and slipped away.
What could be in the wind?
[To BE Continued