Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-11-17
CIrAPTEi, III.

CHAPIER Ill.
When Captain Howard reached the
shore where his boat was. he found a
second boat there, In which there were
four men, the fifth one of her men being
upon the beach. This latter man How
ard recognized as a sergeant Of one of
the companies stationed at MatamOras,
whose name was Beccher.
. Come" cried the captain, ''let us go
on board and have some supper, and
then well do our business"
In a few minutes more the party were
on the schooner's deck. Supper was
ready. and the captain invited Beecher
to his cabin. while the other men, who
were privates, went forward with the
crew.
"Now." said Howard, "what news do
you bring from Matamoras?"
1.-THE colonel sent me up, sir" returned
the sergeant, ito inform you that that
notorious Mexican pirate was In our wat.
ers."
"lIa" uttered Howard, dropping his
knife. "do You mean Tudel?''
YES, sir. 1t must have been him. He
gave chase to a brig that came from New
orleans to bring us stores. There Is
another brig due from New Orleans with
provisions and clothing for our forts on
the Rio Grande, and We have feared that
the pirate may overhaul her. The colonel
said he believed you had full power to go
In pursuit."
"Of course r have. I have right to
take pny Mexican vessel l can fnd-just
as much right as any other vessel Of war
In the United States service"
ut would be blessing to our people,"
resumed Beccher, ''if you could capture
that villain. But mind you--he Is not a
privatcer-not by any means; he Is a
pirate Of the blacklist dye"
II know him." returned the captain.
"and 1 have had my attention turned to
him more than once before. I'll hunt
him up IL possible. you may be assured"
On the following morning all hands
were called us soon as the day broke,
and having Informed them of the purpose
he had In hand. the captain ordered the
anchors up and sail made. The wind was
moderate from the southwark, and How.
ard laid his course to the eastward, In.
tending for while to keep the track Of
vessels from New Orleans to Matamoras.
Thus he stood on until near night. and
just rs the sun was going down, u sail
was discovered. which at length proved to
be brig standing In toward the coast.
Howard found her to he the store brig
which was expected at Matamoras.
Then Howard squared away and stood
on. During the night a strict watch was
kept up. but nothing was seen. On the
next morning. however. just as the men
were getting up from their breakfast. the
lookout at the forctopmast cross-trcc re-.
ported u sail right ahead. In half an
hour more 1t was made out to be brig
standing to the southwark. All sail was
put upon the schooner, and ut the end
Of an hour the stranger was found to be
a vessel of war OF some description, as
her ports cohld be plainly seen.
''She's II Mexican. There's no mistake
about that" said Lotion. who had been
examining the stranger through his glass.
'And II shrc's II Mexican. she must be-
the pirate" added Howard.
The schooner was kept on, and In ff-
teen minutes more the brig wore about
and stood directly for her. The guns
OF the schooner were masked by sliding
ports, though they were all ready to
run out at u moments MOTIVE.
"She don't take, guess, remarked
LOTION. ms he noticed the movement Of
the Mexican.
But she hopes to take MS. without
doubt returned Howard, with smile.
However, let her work awhile: well he
sure who she Ii before we make any de-
cided movement
The schooner was now standing due
east, and the brig was nearly abreast Of
her. Thus matters rested for half an
hour more. and then the brig was not
over mile distant. She hoistcd the Mex.
lean dag and fired II gun.
"Isn't that rather cool!" said Hart.
Rather returned Howard. But II
he knew who he'd fallen afoul OF I'm
thinking he'd feel not quite so cool. He
takes us for one of the small transports
on our way home. Mr.. French, you may
open the armchest and distribute the am.
nunition, and then open the magazine.
Mr.. Lotion, have all hands called. and
prepare for action"
Tho CAPTAIN took his glass and exam.
ined the brig once moro: and as hc turn.
cd again To his officers. his face wore nm
enpcr. rrntitied EXPRESSION.
I'll Is Tudel's yesscl.' he said. "AIlpd
vou-thcre's no mistake obout this. And
IL he's NOT our's before the sun sets. then
am very much mistaken as IN o,r now
err, Stand by now.'
BY this time the brig was within half n
mile, ana had fallen upon tho schooner's
quarter; all the men OF the latter vessel
had armed themselves, and were nv tho
guns, ready for the command of the mo.