Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-09-27
She Instantly answered and parted

ment managed 10 explain what had
happened. She bore the news better
than had feared, though the color
very quickly left her cheeks.
"Iswiil obey you, senor," she said, as
,, 1 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
will fetch them"
With this--to my surprise, for had
not thought her such a heroine-she
brought the swords and pistols and
handed them to me.
| 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 fel! to loading the pistols, and
Dona Carmen, after a long look at
the approaching boat, sat down quiet
ly 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 arms! To be
sure, Mr.. lynn was an astonishing
fighter, and l understood the use of
the sword better, perhaps, than any
but two or three of Morgan's entire
force, but yet this was only a circum-
scribed matter, and one quickly al
tered by well-aimed pistol shot. Yet
two advantages we did have, though
both were small compared with the
fearful odds. This was. first, the bet
ter target that the enemy must pre-
sent Us 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 a 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 l crossed over to her and told her
consenting, though with a
.th and sad little clasping
of her hands that seemed to be most
pathetic. u said what / could to
hearten her (God knows it was little,
and that, with the best resolution
could muster, but hollowly 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 rs 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
more than a word or two, we 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
cf her crew. She seemed to be an or
dinary ships longboat, nigh as big
as the sloop, and by such view as we
got, when she fetched her downward
tilt, contained not fewer than IA or Is
men. Some of these were in armor,
as we saw by 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.
1t continued to grow, and shortly ]
could resolve the figures of the men,
and could perceive a 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 a swell / perceived
one man rise and fetch long stare at
us. They were yet too far off and the
boat too unsteady to be sure of faces,
but l took this person to be Towland.
/ glanced at Mr.. Tym, 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 thai Immediately followed the
boat had drawn some fathoms nearer,
and with that, as it seemed of sudden,
! the different faces on board came out.
The man in the stern sheets was in
deed Towland, and besides him 1 per-
izceived Capt. Blyte, 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 fear of harming Lady
Carmen had deferred them from Civ
, ing. Nevertheless Mr.. lynn continued
rs before, each hand holding pistol,
and his air unmoveA
| OF 4 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.. Tym rose quietly to
his feet.
BOARD the boat!"
"Do you surrender"
''What will you do with us if we
comply?"
"We will carry you back. and Nor
gan shall judge you.'
"And what" pursued Mr.. Tym, calm
". "will you do with the lady?"
Towland appeared to hesitate. "She
shall not need to complain" he said at
last. IF you will know, Capt. byte
and mean Jointly to care for her"