The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-04-04
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lero' was dropped again, and just be-
fore we lost sight of them behind the
little point one of them whipped
ashore and disappeared. I had half a
mind to change my plans and destroy
their boats but I feared that Silver
and the others might be close at hand,
and all might very we'll be lost by try
ing for too much.
We had soon touched land in the
same place before we set the provi-
sion in the block-house. All three made
the first journey, heavily laden, and
tossed our stores over the palisadc.
Then, leaving Joyce to guard them
one man, to be sure, but with half a
dozen muskets-Hunter and 1 returned
to the jolly-boat. and loaded ourselves
once more. So we proceeded without
pausing to take breath. till the whole
cargo was bestowed, when the two
servants took up their position in the
block house, and I, with all my power,
sculled back to the Hispaniola.
That we should have risked second
boat load seems more daring than 1t
really was. They had the advantage
Of numbers, Of course, but we had the
advantage of arms. Not one of the men
ashore had a musllet and before they
could get within range for pistol-shoot-
ing we 11attered ourselves we could he
able to give a good account OF a half
dozen at least.
The squire was waiting for me at
the stern window, all his faintness gone
from him. He caught the painter and
made 1T fast, and we fell loading the
boat for our very lives. Pork. powder
and biscuit was the cargo, with only a
musket and cutless apiece for squire
and me and Redruth and the captain.
The rest of the arms and powder We're
dropped overheard in two fathoms and
half Of water, SO that we could see
the bright steel shining far below us
in the sun, on the clear sandy bottom.
By this time the tide was beginning
to ebb, and the ship was swinging
around to her anchor. Voices We're
heard hallooing in the direction of the
two gigs; and though this treasured us
for Joyce and Hunter, who We're we'll to
the eastward, it warned our party to
be off.
Redruth retreated from his place in
the gallery and dropped into the boat,
which we had brought round to the
ships counter, to be handler for Cap
tain Smollett.
Nov, men," said he, do you hear
me?'
There was no answer from the fore
castle.
It's to you. Abraham Gray-it's 70
yOu diAl
Still no reply.
Gray" resumed Mr.. Smollett, lit
tie louder, II am leaving this ship. and
order you to follow your captain !
know you are a good man at bottom
and I dare say not one Of the lot Of
you's as bad as he makes out. I have
my watch here in my hand; 1 give you
thirty seconds to join me in
There was pause.
Come, my fine follow" continued
the captain, don't hang SO long in
stays. I'm risking my life. and the
lives Of these good gentlemen, every
second"
There was sudden scuffle. sound
Of blows, and out burst Abraham Gray
with knife cut on the side of the
cheek, and came running to the captain
like a dog to the whistle.
I'm with you, sir said he.
And the next moment he and the
captain had dropped aboard of us, and
we had showed off and given way.
We were clear out Of the ship, but
not yet ashore In our stockade.