Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-09-01
SYNOPSIS

Master Ardick just reached his majority
and thrown upon his own resources, after
stating his case to one Houthwick, a ship
master, Is shipped as second mate on the
Industry, bound for Havana. Mr.. lynn,
the supercargo, describes sail. The strange
vessel gives chase, but is disabled by the
1ndustry's guns. In the fray one of the
crew Is Killed and HOuthw wick is seen to fall.
The captain is found to be dead, but the In
dustry is little damaged. Sellinger, first
mate, takes charge and puts into SidmOuth
to secure new mate. Several days later,
when well out to sea, an English merchant
man is met, whose captain has letter adj
dressed to jeremiah Hope, at Havana.
The crew of the vessel tell strange tales
OF the buecaneer Morgan, who is sailing
under the king commission to take Pana-
ma. One night a little later. the English
vessel having proceeded on her course, a
bit of paper is slipped into Ardicks hand
by one of the sailors. This is found to be a
warning of a mutiny plot headed by Pra-
dey, the ne wmate. Ardick consults Mr..
lynn. They resolve to secure the mate, but
Pradey, eavesdropping in the cabin. makes
through the door and arouses the crew.
Capt. Selltnger joins Ardick and lynn. The
crew break through the now barricaded
door, but are forced to retire, having lost
seven of their number. Finding them
selves now too short-handed to manage the
boat, Pradey decides to scutte and desert
the vessel, taking his men off in the only
available boat. The cap tain, supercargo
and second mate soon discover their plight.
but hastily constructing a raIl get away
next morning a Spaniard draws near
just before their vessel sinks The
them. The man in the rigging shouts: If
you would board us, take to your oars. Be
speedy, or you will fall short" On board
they are sent forward with the crew, being
told they will be sold as slaves on reaching
Panama. The ships cook they find to be
Mac Irvach, ''frae Clagvarioch,' SO friend.
Four days later the Spaniard is overhauled
by buccaneer flying the English flag. The
three Englishmen and Mac Irvach plan to
escape to the buccaneer on a rude raft.
Sellinger, the last to attempt to leave the
Spaniard, Is disabled. Just after the others
put Off they see figure dangling from the
yard arm, whom they suppose is Capt. Sell
niger. Hailing the buccaneer, our three
friends fins themselves in the hands of
their old mate, Pradey. He treats them
kindly and offers to do them no harm II
they will but remain quiet concerning the
mutiny he headed. The Black Eagle.
Pradey's ship. comes to Chagre, Cuba,
which town they find Morgan has taken
under the English flag. From here the
Black Eagle with Morgan's fleet proceeds
toPanama. The command consists of about
1900 men. Having landed, they march on
the city. The assault on the city Is begun.
Many of the buccaneers fall, and Ardick is
wounded. Through the smoke he sees
Pradey approaching. The city at last fans
.Ardick, coming to, finds lynn has rescued
him from Pradeys murderous hand by kill
ing the villain. The Spanish flag has been
hauled down from the castle and the men
allowed to plumber the city at will. Mac
Irvach spies figure coming toward them,
and eXciaims: The gaist o the captain"
It Is indeed Sellinger. He recounts his late
adventures. then he leads them to the res
cue of Don Enrique de Cavodilla, who had
been kind to him on the Pilanca, the Span
ish vessel on which he had been prfs-
oner. Flight is the only course open to
the don, his wife and daughter. (Dona Car
men,. They just manage to leave the
building when Capt. Towland comes to
claim the dona as his prize, under the buc-
cancers rule. Mr.. lynn parleyS to gain
time for the flight of his party. then allows
the men to enter. Seeking shortly to join
the don. they come upon his dead BODY.