The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1901-01-18
learest would be within gunshot.

away west by south before the wind.
through the southern entrance of the
bay. The order did not come u minute
too soon. though the majority Of us
were so worked up by the excitement
or the fight that we would never have
noticed that 1t was high time for us to
quit.
We held on this course for about two
hours, and then, as the sky had fortu.
natcly cloudcd over, we hauled our
wind and stood due south to give our
pursuers chance OF passing us in the
darkness. They would never expect us
to turn south. 50 when they missed us
ut daylight they would naturally look
for us to the northward If they contin.
ued the chase. That was our theory.
What they actually did cannot say,
for we never saw them again.
We held on this strategic course for a
time. and On the second morning rose
brig coming toward U.S. ard as every
one ut sea is PRESUMED Il rogue until he
Is proved an hcacst man We cleared the
decks for action and beat to quarters.
AS the stranger neared us one of Alec's
men recognized her rs the brig Catch.
all, belonging to Captain Fleming, the
well known freebooter So as he was
not likely to let such a vessel as our
galleon pass without an overhaul we
quite expected another fight How
ever, he drew within long hail and,
bringing his ship to. signed that he
wished to speak us.
"What ships that?"
THE brig Severn Of Bristol Alex
ander Ireland, master. What ships
that?"
BRIG Catchall. Captain Fleming
What's the galleon"
'The Lope dc Vega Of Vigo, q prize
to the Severn"
''How the thunder did you get hold
of herr"
Fought for her.
"rhen is there war with spoinp'
81 think So"
"You think sol" Then followed some
talk with his own people which we
could not hear. "Will you lie to and
let me bring my boat alongside? I'm
honest as the whole bench Of bishops
today"
AYE, aye"
Alec called on me to come on board
the Severn, and presently weather
beaten, thickset man of middle age
w
low and pledged one another in jack
Of ale (as the Severn's hold was still
filled with wheat instead of the cargo
| of Spanish wine we had expected to
bring back), and then Captain Fleming
| was told Of the seizure and fight in
Vigo bay. He listened attentively,
nodding his grizzled head at every SEN
| tence. but making no remark until he
had heard the whole story.
| "It was a lucky, plucky escape, cap
tain." he said, looking approvingly at
Alec, land one that does credit to the
stufting Of your headpiece. But make
no error about its being an affair of
unauthorized individuals. 1t is the be-
ginning Of war, I tell you, and bloody
Dag it Will be. I've seen it coming for
gathered into all the ports. and great
mobiles are chartering vessels for other
purposes than honest trade or little
free cruising. King Philip of Spain
will make big move before long
Mark my words, Sir"
ENGLAND will be ready for him when
| he does," replied Alec proudly.
"Aye, lad, l warrant she will, but
it's time she was stirring. or the Span
iards-curse the whole nation Of them
will be cruising about the English
channel and up to London town before
any of us are many months older
Now, Captain Ireland" he continued
standing up and beating his fist on tht
table in time with his sentences, I'm
freebooter and an outlaw; but
, | though there's many an Englishmal
, would be glad to hear that was dead
love my country with the best o
them. So when you get back to por
, | spread tie news Of this threatened In
|. vasion and say that warning shall
y brought when Philips armada sets sa
!. | and that am the man who will brin
It. And may God keep me and min
| on sentry so about the seas till th
). crack Of doom IL / fail in this m
:, watch over England's safety"
. And he brought Lis fist down upo
;. the table with n crack that made ou
a ale pots dance.
= pardon me. cap,ain." said l. wv
honor you for those words. but Ia lik
, to remind you Of. one thing-Frank
% Drake will hang you II he gets his I'll
gers OH your shoulder. l have hear
~ him say So"
~ master Topp," lie replied, looking
- me steadily, "if can save England
~ my news l don't mind IL l swing +
~ the bringing Of it, and you can say
,o from me to any one that asks.
20 We gave Captain Fleming ringii
,I cheer as he stepped into the boat.
watch had been stationed to guard q
= honor of England, and 1t was a col
~ mon pirate who went on sentry go.
n But pirate though lie was he was