Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-12-11

The schooner was still running off
wing-and-wing. and the brig was directly
IN her wake, and now, at o'clock, about
three-quarters of a mile distant. The
latter craft gained but slowly now. Could
she have had her course in any other d.
rection, she would have oyerhauled the
schooner ere this; and even now, could
she have had studding sails to keep her
on, she might increase her speed one
quarter at least. But she had no stud
ding sails set, and that seemed pretty
good evidence that she had none. During
the next ten minutes after Max and
Sloan had fired together, not a human
head was seen above the briggs rail- The
man at the briggs helm was hidden by
the foot of the foresail
Look We" uttered Max Winter, start
ing into new life under the influence of
new thought. Eve ken never take them
chaps from here. but two men on them
cross-trees can pick 'em off good. Jack,
will you go I'D with me?'
Yes, l WILL" replied Sloan, ene-get-
ically.
"Cap'n Howard, you ken fix the haulin'
lines, and my men ken load the rifles as
fast as we ken fire 'em'
All right" returned Clarence. $50
up at once. and I'll see that you have
your rifles as fast as you can want them. :"
-Four lines were procured and taken up
to the cross-trees at the maintop, and
when the two men reached the place.
they made them fast there. Thus they
mad two lines each, by means of which
each could have one down after the fresh
rifle while he was firing another from the
top.
Ahai cried Max, as he had perched
himself snugly in his place. Il ken see
EN- now"
Two rifles were sent up, and as soon as
they were fired they were sent down and
tTo others hauled up They were fred
without being cast clear from the haul
ing lines, so they had only to FIRE and
lower away-pull up and fire again.
by the great horn spoon" shouted
Sloan, we're a-droppin EN- now,
Hi-yi! returned Max, leyeling his
rlne as ne spoke; here's another one for
the pile"
Taus they had fred fYe-and-twenty
shots, Sloan having fired one the most,
when the deck was cleared.
They've gone below" said Max. who
held loaded rifle in his hands, ready for
the first head he might see. "Oh. L wish
could git jest one peep at their helms
man"
y e of the men, named Wilson, stood
moment looking up at his commander.
and then he turned his gaze upon the
brig. In moment more he proposed
firing some shots at random.
We know whar her wheel must be !"
he said, "and who knows but out of half
a dozen balls one on EN- might hit him."
Wilson's proposition was received with
favor, and two of the men commenced
the work The slugs for this purpose were
sharpened with a knife at the conical
end, so that they might go through the
foresail without much resistance. They
fired six times, and would have fired more
had not the report of Winters rifle inter
rupted them
Look sharp" the skipper cried, as he
sent his rifle down. They're tryin' to
run a gun for'ardl"
The brig was now less than half mile
distant, and could she have brought q
gun to bear upon the schooner, it would
only have required a good aim to do
much damage. The briggs bowport on
in a few moments more the muzzle a
gun was seen protruding therefore. But
they were not destined to make 81 tlch by
the movement. for they could no. work
the gun without exposing themselves to
the eyes Of the Yankee marksmen.
Within five minutes from the time the.
port was thrown open, four men had
fallen about the gun under the bullets
that spec from the schooner's cross-trees,
After this the Mexicans seemed to hold
a consultation, and the result must nave
been shat they would risk no more lives,
fer in a few moments more the gun was
left and the men disappeared; not, how
ever until two more of their number had
fallen, for the distance was such now
that the men could not have wished for n
more safe mark than mans head.
II was now four o'clock, and for half
IN hour not another man was seen on
board the brig. Some effort had been
made by Max and his men to shoot away
the running rigging of the enemy. but
without much effect The topsan ties
were either of rawhide or of iron chain.
SO that the bullets had 40 effect upon
them; and the other ropes which were Of
consequence towards keeping the sails
spread were hidden behind the canvas.
By half-past four the brig was less than
quarter Of a mile distant. and it was
soon evident that She was about to pre-
sent her side to the chase. for her yards
began 70 swing, and her head turned
slowly 70 the westward.
Now We are going to eaten broad
side, said Clarence. as he noticed the
movement
Aren't it best to give 'em one more
salute as they come around?" queried
Max. VINO had come down from the
eross-tree some time before.
Yes, returned Clarence. LET all
hands of YOU be prepared and stand by.
They can't load their guns without ex-
posing themselves. Stand in row and
pick your men, being sure that no two
take the same mark"
There were fifteen rifles. and fourteen
of them loaded. and these were placed
ready-each man having a spare one to
grasp as soon as he had fired the first
The brig soon presented her broadside,
and three or four men at each gun went
immediately at work to level the pieces
and prepare for the shock.
STEADY" uttered Max. at the same
time raising his rifle. BE sure of your
men-take en- as We stand.H
In a moment more the seven rifles were
discharged, and there was a momentary
suspension Of operations on the briggs
deck: but those who remained quickly set
To again.
''Now." cried Max; AMI as he spoke
they fired again.
Clarence could plainly see that conster-
nation had seized the survivors on board
the enemy, bur after a few moments hes
itation they went at the work again. and
ere long her hroadSide was fred. The
heavy halls came crashing and Splashing
about the schooner. but not one of her
crew was injured. One ball had passed
through the low bulwarks at the bows,
and another had carried away the ex-
tceme end of the main boom.
They only fred seven guns" said
Max.
BIN the words we're hardly out Of his
mopth when the eighth gun was discharg
ed. and the Sch00ner'S foremast was
- sssf ~.