The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1900-01-11

AG.GAs CAPT L.nrNsnrRY


Now the hcadaails being let 90 with run
Sud hanging lnosr over the bow, the lorcsail
aud its travelling blocks giving OF, deaf.
cnlns protest against its slack sheet the
ma'naail joining in the laundering chorus,
and the wheel Jerking violently hithcr and
thither with the kick Of the ruddcr, we were
sufficiently beyond the usual order Of things
TO suit my purpose, and my trump card, in
the shape OF dead man lying IN the Soup
PER, lay clear TO the eye OF anyone who might
board us. The sight was uncanny enough.
and my instinct was to have the negro heave
the body over board; but, as 1, was to be a
silent witness 10 the story | was about 10
tell. / let It bide, though. as the sequel
showed, 'twould have saved me a sight OF
trouble TO have followed my first impulse.
] confess that my hcartbeata took on add
tIonal force and frequency as | stood aud
watched the schooncr's nearer approach
She came on TO within easy gunSho,, and
swung into the wind. oil 81 a buttcr from
stem 70 stern. and then LAY to" with her
hcadsails full aback. From the scarlet dag
at her peak TO her clean cutwAter she was
an object Of beauty, though ia light air I
doubt sho would have slid her keel through
the brine with greater speed than would the
lhantom, which had been built for feet
ness and rapidly In stays
With my wits by this time well about me,
and my wounds bleeding hu, little las was
shown by the few drops that now drlpped
from my hngcra' ends. ! stood by the helm
and took in every detail Of the enemy. from
the crowd at her davits to the long brass
piece forward Of the foremost, the gun being
Ira fafsHVa -.
The stranger worked with the alscrity Of
man-of-wsr, for the schooner had barely
lest her way when | saw a boat dror from
her lsrboard quarter and pull toward us,
while another came around her bow and fol.
lowed. They were both filed with well.
armed men, as could be seen By the clutter
Of muaketry, and the way they came over
the whitecaps showed their temper. II
showed temper, too, IN the smart manner
they boarded me. the 6rst boat hooking on
20 the main channels, the men ciambsrins
out with scarcely shout and no questions,
and 10 a twinklins ! bcheld half score Of
them on my deck, they. | fancy, being
nightly surprised Al having met with no re.
distance.
The crisis was now st hand. and played
my frat card with something OF the despera.
ton Of a ruined gambler. Stridine IN 10 an
officer whom ! saw coming aft with bare
sword in hand. ] said
"Ne show scant courtesy In boarding me,
cir. Had you turned up an hour agone,
'twoold have been to some purpose"
Who In hi srs youg Where's the cap
tain u this sbips" w&S the excited rcioinder.
how there was something about the tone
OF his voice, the way Of calling . schooner
shSp, az well al the get-up Of the man him
self, that, angered an was at his reply, made
me back pace and lock at him. A quick
glanef showed iaa ] was not dealing with
man bred 20 The sea, much icss 20 the rce,l
Var service, Tor, though then had small
knowledge Of the uniforms Of the British, ]
l,new that which grRced the back Of the Off.
Ger before me was not Of his maje1ty's navy.
I knew Il by ia cut and garniture. and the
land favor 81 the man hay also IN the fact
that he wore a forage cap and carried a cav
airy Baber instead Of a ctiiIsss. Ills face, too,
lacked the trne sea tan, ssa fair compilation
xhowias the effects Of unusual exposure to
ssn and wind What HE rank might be
had 30 idea. ard speculation was lost In the
quick setort thai naturally reese 10 my lips.
Who are you, SIR, to sunshic aboard d
Erixe Of mis- aaissty's in this fashsans Ye
staBd IN need Of lesson 10 marine raanners
n we'd o. marine matters. Do We hope to
lodge OF a crafts cargo By a squirt At her
hatch cover. or Of = man BY the cut ~ HE
iibs Think mt 20 dreeise yourself or me!
] know my rights. and also knew the differ
eucs hstwixt che cry Of o ses bird and hen
hawke
II bad sny doubt "a to the official posi-.
ton Of ths Officer, II was ses at rest By the
suidusd laugh that came from tho group
aboet as pigaed By tho sosind u mirsh
from shose lsn had nc power to punish, his
fare tnsnei 70 ~ usiy red. and. Hitting bic
sahtf a. though 10 cat me down, hsshcns<d.
yau insoienf dog. viii make yea susst
Tor thlz. Lay bold 81 him. acme Of yoe.