Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-08-09
CHAPTER XII.-CoNTINUED.

Above this fort was communication
by steep path with still more COM
plete defense, good walls and bastions
being here, and finally was the sharp,
sudden rise of TIE great rock itself.
At this point we could not but wonder
at the desperate valor of Brodely's
men, for from here to the summit the
only regular ascent was by a flight of
narrow, rock-hewn stairs, and the
chance for placing scaling ladders was
of the worst and riskiest. Yet up here
they had won their way, and the frag-
ments of some of the ladders, and
more than that-a stain of blood here
and there still remained as witnesses
to it!
At the top of the stairs was large,
square building that we afterward
found was designed to hold military
stores, and from here straight walk
led to a narrow, deep chasm, the castle
itself lying on the other side. There
had been bridge here, but the Span
iards, in their final defense, had de-
stroyed it, and IN it's place was now a
rude affair of planks partly supported
by guys. On the other side was kind
of barbican, and then the wall of the
castle proper. The structure was of
no great size, rising merely in small
tower or keep, aud thence stretching
out in two short, low wings. BY this
time the sun was pouring down fierce
ly, and, as we had explored the great
er part of the Place, we concluded to
seek a more comfortable spot, and ac-
cordingly descended the hill again.
The excursion had afforded US much
pleasure, besides letting us into the
knowledge of things that it was profit
able for us to know. More than all.
perhaps, it gave us the assurance of
the desperate and seemingly resistless
valor of our present comrades.
It was not long after we had re-
turned to the bottom of the hill that
we met five or six of the garrison, and
with them a sturdy middle-aged man,
who turned out to be the hero of the
late battle. Capt. Brodely. He was
busy just then in giving some orders
about the Strengthening of the breast
works, and we merely got short nod
from him in exchange for our salute,
though this proved to be but the begin
ming of our acquaintance. l can now
compass the events of two weeks or
more into very brief space. My COM
Epanions and passed most of the time
| ashore. and though we did not seem
to slight our shipmates, took care to
have as little of their rough and unac-
ceptable company as possible.
But these small things soon passed
out of our thoughts, for one morning
Capt. Morgan's fleet was sighted. In
moment there was the liveliest sort
of stir and excitement. Flags were
taken from the ships and hoisted on
the castle and forts, and the guns were
made ready to fire salutes. Everyone
| furnished up his arms and harness, and
the ships were cleaned and made trig.
At first the wind was contrary, but
| finally one craft and then another
beat it's way in, and before nightfall all
had fetched the mouth of the river.
Here a rather serious misfortune hap
pened, for, what with our rejoicing
and their own pleasure and tumult,
the people of the first four of the ships
steered upon the dangerous sunken
rock, and their crafts were wrecked.
The north wind coming on to blow
completed the mishap. and it was only
by considerable exertion that all the
men and contents of the ships were
Handed. the vessels themselves being
hopelessly wrecked. At last Capt
Morgan himself stepped on shore, hav-
ing till now stuck to his ship, and at
once our men broke out in a great
cheer. and. rushing down. caught him
up and placed him on their shoulders
and bore him up to the castle.
My companions and fell into the
wake of the crowd and continued on tt
the castle. where at last the painting
and shouting buccaneers set Morgan
Idown. At the same time final salute
Iof ali the cannon about the place wa.
liet of. Morgan removed his headpiece
giving flourish of acknowledgement