Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-07-10

hard as he peered into the driving DARK
and thought OF the bitter wrong that the
Dutchman had wrought to Annie Steel.
The whistIing spindrift flew off like
smoke along the Try Hard's side and
ever the gale bowled the louder and ever
blscker grew the night. For six cold,
wet hours she pounded at the racing seas,
with the notified iather of churned mp
water falling in her wake. man after man
relieving Annie at the wheel, for she
would not leave the deck.
At last a chill. gray dawn broke over a
waste OF white capped rollers, chasing
and tumbling over each other in the cold
dcsolation Of the North sea. No land was
visible. but luck lay with the Try Hard.
for a little speek tossing on the horizon
resolved itself into a fat. bluff bowed
craft lying nearly motioniess. head to the
wind--hove to- as men OF the bog wa
tiers call Il. II was the Norsnek, Van
Biene's largest and fastest smack, and
BY some brutal within of the reckless
Dufchman a red flag few at her truck.
But ~ long as the slim smack bore down
on her the fat schayt scented danger and,
letting draw her foresheet, scudded away
before the wind.
"My laddie's therel Ny laddie's
tnNftt Stte1 a1htes rpfiuktuk " INT
wheel again. "a ken II. an Van Biene
too. Oh. my heart. Jim. I'm comm to
ye."
the kicking Try Hard's head straight for
the stranger. The men gave ringing
whoop as the Dutchman bore away, and
the furious race began.
TIE vorsnek was fast vessel in bad
A. A.. a ri
laid her side down 10 the crashing seas
and hauled after at a savage pace. The
crests OF the great combers swept over
her as she sped, the singing spindrift
smoked over her bows and dashed the
faces Of the men like hundred whips,
and a mad ealdron Of kissing water boiled
under her quarter as she drove along.
She tore through the hooting combers till
the wallowing vorsnek was barely 80
yards ahead, and the burly figure Of Van
Biene at the Dutch boats wheel shooL
his Est savageiy at the Try Hard. An
nie, biting her lip till the blood ran, spun
/ the wheel till the smack, groaning and
kicking at the bite Of the seas, laid right
up 10 the Vorsnek. Suddenly the Dutch
man shot up into the wind and came
round on the other tack.
Hey, lassie," shouted Banks as the
girl followed suit. "ye're not goin to run
into her, surelyy Take the wheel from
/ her, Jock; she'll sink us both!'
But the big smack's bows were within
ten yards OF the Dutchman's broadside,
and the Belgian crew yelled with fright
/ as the solid stem struck the Yorsnek
| amidships, smashing the Try Hard's
/ bowsprit short of. But the stump of II
caught the Vorsnek's shrouds, and as a
big sea hove the schayt's bows TO leeward
the Dutchman's mast went over the side
with rending crash. One tremendous
/ buhp followed as the two broadsides
rolled together, and then the Try Hard
drew clear. leaving the Dutch boat Grip
pied and helpless.
LAY her to the wind and launch the
boat" roared Banks TO his crew. "Ye'd
best bide here. lassie.'
NAY. I'm comm with ye," said Annie.
and with four OF the seven Try Hards
she put of in the big shore boat-a peril
Gus job. but a Port Lecky crab boat will
live In almost anything. They pulled 70
leeward OF the VOrsnek and boarded her.
Van Biene. white and furious. dared not
| hinder them, for his vessel lay at the
mercy Of the sea
is Jim Barring aboard herer said
| Tom hercely, for Annie, now that the
danger was at an end. had collapsed.
"He vos below" said Van Biene sui
lenly. and two OF the Try Hards found
him In the foe'sle, his face white. his eyes
glowing like Goals and his hands aud feet
loosely but cunningly bound with rope
yarn. They cut his bonds and brought
him ON deck. and Annie sprang at him
with little cry. He kissed her on the
forehead. and then turned TO Van Biene
Now, ye dog" be said Ia a fcrce. low
voice, ''ye an me are alone. for thess
mates OF mine viii lay no finger on ye
I've the right 60 cast ye into the jail. m
well ye deserve II, but we're on the high
seas. aud want law. We an yer dirty
Belgians took an bound me when | wal
asleep in my ewn vessels cabin Now
we've 10 answer 10 me fort Step ou
an put up yer hans"
"Meel done, Jim," choruEcd the crew
but Van Biene only stared. Put yei
hans up ye thisvin Dutchman. or wei
see ye jail't when we take 80 ASHORE"
After a moments hesitation Van BEN
came forward and faced the stern. grin
smacksman. whose temper bad sufferes
badly. No ordinary men could hay'
fought on that rceling deck. but thes'
were salted ssamsR. The DutchmaI
made the FIRST attack. frothing with rage
his huge arms whirling Ike fails. Blu
be had little science. Jim stepped bacl
and planted a crushing blow that mad
JAMS large. fat nose bleed severely ans
darted his iron fists swiftly In and on
through the Dutehman's guard til th
mans small eyes began 10 close and sinl
in his head. Frantic with rage. Va
Biene aimed a terrific kick az JIM
stomach, but the sailor slipped aside an,
planted a last blow under the left ca
that stretched his enemy on the deck
"Now," said Jim as the PROSTATE maj
groaned and covered his face, when doe
the Mas put into Port Leeky1 wednes
day? Guild. Ye viii take her DOT. y
an all yer gear. an II ever ye show ~
nose on this coast again the Lord help ~
Jan Van Bienel Back we GO"
Five hours later the Try Hard, wit
the crew Of the Yorsnek on board. sli
alongside the quay In Port Lecky, an