Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-12-25
CHAPTER xI.

Clarence was right with regard 10 the
intended movement of the brig. She
rounded to, and came up alongside the
schooner. Her men were at the guns
with lighted matches, but they did not
fire. As soon as the graplings could be
made fast, the captain of the brig leaped
upon the schooner's deck. He was a
dark, ignorant-looking fellow, but pos
sessing not only great brute strength, but
apparently a good degree of boldness.
s'Who's commander here?" the Next
can asked.
Max looked at Clarence, and Clarence
looked at Max; but the younger man re-
piled:
This man, senior, is captain of the YES
sci, but twas / that ordered the the re-
sistance that has been made"
"Not by long shot, ole chap" uttered
Max, who spoke the language well.
"Ye're both in the mess. l own the
craft, and / own all the mischief we've
done We; only / must say that Capt'n
Towards more extended knowledge has
been a most tremendous help to u.s.
"And now wouldn't we be serving you
oil just right to string We up in the rig
ging and sink the old craft with We still
hanging to herr" uttered the Mexican,
In rather a threatening tone.
''That depends upon whether you care
anything about our cargo or not" coolly
returned Clarence. II suppose you'll find
about four thousand dollars worth OF
plumber here; and when we resolved to
defend ourselves, the point in our minds
was this: Wen escape if we can-and of
course you wouldn't blame US for that,
for that is the conceded right of even an
enemy: then we thought-here, if we
don't escape, our enemies won't COM
plain, for four thousand dollars will go
further among a few captors than among
a great many"
The Mexican's face changed its express
sion wonderfully.
"Eh?" he uttered whats your car
go?'
"Some furs-nice ones; some provis-
ions-beef, pork, yenisoni and some
money"
''And We surrender nowT
sOf course" returned Clarence, for
Max had nodded to him to speak. "We
resisted asslong as we could, and when
we found we must be captured, we con-
cluded to give up"
well" resumed the Mexican, in re-
lenting tone, tits lucky for you, perhaps,
that we are none of us relatives. Those
that are gone run their own risk, and
they've got it. guess Wen have you
carried on board our vessel and put in
icons. and then Wen overhaul your craft,
and see what we can find"
In obedience of an order to this effect,
the crew of the schooner were transfer
red to the brig, and there put in irons.
The first impulse of Clarence, upon reach
ing the briggs deck. was to look about
upon the result of his companions work.
At first he could see nothing, but as he
cast his eyes forward, upon the larboard
side he saw the dead men gathered there
or course he could not count them. for
they acre piled one atop of the other,
but he could see that there We're a great
number of them. At length he had an
opportunity to ask, and be was informed
that thirty-nine men had been killed.
and that only one man had been hit who
survived il, At first the young captain
could hardly credit it: but then he quick
IN remembered how unerringly the old
hunters could shoot, and when he came
10 reflect upon the number of times they
had fred he had no more to wonder at.
The brig had. previous to the chase.
ffty-eight men. She had sailed from
Vera Cruz with sixty, but two of them
had been killed in a private fight got up
for their amusement and exercise. Con-
sequently she had now but nineteen men
left: and under these circumstances they
concluded not to allow over three men to
man the prize for as the schooner would
sell for something. they wished 10 save
her. Three men were easily found who
would take charge OF the schooner. and
when they were detailed. il left the briggs
crew cut down TO sixteen men. But they
felt SIRE that would be enough 10 carry
the vessel safely into Vera Cruz, for they
could have their prisoners securely iron
ed. so that no trouble need be apprehend-
ed from them.
The sun was down and night almost
shut in. when the last load OF stuff was
brought of from the prize. aud then the
three men were sent on board to take
charge. with Instructions to keep as near
as possible TO the brig through the night.
light being suspended At the main peak
as a guide.
Quite a prize" said the Mexican cap
tain, standing upon the checks on which
the boat stood. and holding his lantern
over SO that he could see the hands and
feet OF his prisoners. Your beef and
pork comes quite handy"
Clarence would have spoken. hut just
then another Of the Mexieans came and
stood by the captains side. and took the
lantern. The captains next movement
was TO set into the boat. aud when be
had taken the lantern. the second man
followed his example. The prisoners were
al in the stern-shee,s ef the boat. where
they sat around facing each Other-Clar-
ence and Max being upon the extreme az
: Ter thwart facing forward; then two
more upon each Of the sidethwarTs: and
shree upon the qnartsr-thw who were
facing art. The captain of the brig step
ped over among them. and his 5fst move
meat was to examine their irons, which
he found an secure.
''Now, gentlemen. said be. with a very
peculiar smile, 'yoa must pardon me Tor