The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-23

|
| rebel commander. - g.. ''' '
] Manly prepared to meet him: but from all
sides his men-since the last of the Eliza
beths crew had yelded-sprang : to the
rescue They closed In upon the captain like
dogs upon elk. and for one brief half
minute they swarmed around him. But
justling, they checked each other and in
their midst the bloody blade, turned now
this way and now that, played havoc with
them. 1t stopped pike. and laid its owner
dead. 1t sent cutlass flying, and thrust its
wielder through. From side to side the cap
tain fronted, and at each turn ended q life.
For him it was carnival Of fury; they
shrank before his flashing eye more than
from his sword, and quickly, like the elk
with swinging horns he cleared ring about
| him. ..
He stood with ready weapon; he cried to
Manly, the only one he saw who was dis
tinguished by a uniform: Come here, you
rebel dog!'
The circle contracted the men were ready
to protect their commander. But voice
from the side cried Hold, he Is mine!'
| And there stood Ellery. cold clutch, q
hand of Ice was laid upon the captains heart.
| Was there magic in the man that he should
fly so far and there. upon the sea, confront
him? He stood, with weapon lowered, while
Frank, raising his hand aloft, spoke to the
ring OF seamen. '.' "r .--1
This man Is mine.' he said =, Let no one
dare to touch him."
Then Sotheran recovered. He looked around
upon the Americans and 1notioned them back.
"Give rooqn,' he said. He turned to Frank.
$50 you, like Tudor. want your turn?'
He spoke with purpose, to enrage his foe.
And Frank flushed anger at him. sotneran
saw it,
That, old man In the woods he said; "he
is credited to my score, l think" Ellery
! was shaking Roger" said the captain,
went overheard last night" :.J.
ION guard" cried Frank. ~ ..l
The captain raised his sword and prepared
to take position. He looked about him. The
deck was level, the sea was slight, the sea-
men had yielded space for the encounter. He
met Franks eye, and saw that the Whlg was
pale with eagerness. Trembling like that ne
could not fight. Sotheran spoke agaln-n1s
best taunt he had reserved -...
And Alice" he said, ''she is mine
What consciousness of failure rushed over
him? Too long he had delayed to seize his
prize; with forty rebels on the ship, Alice
was now safe. "A spasm of chagrin distorted
his features, and Frank saw. All anger
passed.
at Is not true!" he cried triumphantiy.
"Die!" hissed Sotheran, lunging.
A warning cry from the rebels broke into
a yell Of admiration; Frank parried when the
point was at his throat. He drew away.
"Once more" he said.
| The positions were completely changed
| Frank
ous The Englishnan called every device 10
his aid, and rushed upon the whig.
He might as well have tried to pierce a
wall The slightly moving blade caught anu
turned aside his fercest thr'lsts, his hottest
lunges. Yet without pause Sotheran pressed
his adversary. springing, stopping, shl1t-
ing his position, he sought score or ways
| to find an opening. He ctrcled his quiet zoe,
he thrust at face, at throat, at breast, and
without ceasing darted his point so quickly
that there was scarcely chance for return.
Yet there were openings. He saw the aa-
versary with calm face, twice prepare to
strike-then wait. A third time. Rage was
exhausting the captain; he felt that his wrist,
wrenched repeatedly by Franks iron arm,
, was growing weaker. His breath was snort
suddenly as he watched the steady face, the
phantom of doubt swept before him, and his
. point wavered. That instant Frank struck.
Southern saw the bright blade dart at him.
strange, dull pain shot through him from
breast to back, and there, close within his
guard, was the hated face, flushed little,
the eve looking into hds. The hand was at
Sotheran's very breast. He heard an "Ah!'
. deep and horror-laden, from the circle Of sea-
men. - =, .
And then Frank sprang away: The cap.
tain saw the blade again, red from hilt tic
o | point. That strange pain had again passed
Ethrough him, and now, benumbed and chilled
he stood without movement, staring with, dull
y eyes and open mouth upon his rival. FranA
stood at little distance waiting. :; =
q Sotheran understood, For a single momen
c rage came back, and with 1t strength HI
u started forward to strike. Frank did no
y move Then Sotheran's legs failed him, hi
. sword dropped, he fell on his knees; the1
y forward on his hands. Still glaring at hi
- foe, his eyes fearfulfy wide, he lowered him
y self slowly sideways till he rested on hi
3 hips Then his head fell.
g Supporting himself on his hands, he waited
II His eyes studied for while the planking
% His vision was bounded by circle OF men
70 feet There was silence, in which he foun
=, himself listening to his own labored breath
ing. -"
Then sail tapped aloft, and the brig
40 40 antine gave a little motion. He felt the re
~ sponse in his sinking body: strength wa
~ ebbing away from him.. his arms were nc
~ firm A strange change was going on With
~, ~ him, he was slipping away from himself
~ Suddenly his head was near the planks
% u which became flooded with red. Looking a
~ It, he winked, trying to clear his eyes. HI
own blood!
n Pride, power. will-where were. they? Wha
- was this? He was growing cold. Was thi
3" death? Was he dying-alone? With his las
Va effort he raised his head-only a little-an
"A saw through clouded eyes a ring Of mel
- They were watching him die God!' At til
~ word horror seized him. What was God
ha Punishment!
he Those around nlm "atcneo Ills AIsnIl'
shudder. Then he died. :
re
vn
lis It is terrible to take the vengeance of Go
H. upon ones self. Frank, turning away frol
m the body Of his enemy, did not hear, as
ed wiped his sword, the praises showered Q
ng him. He sheathed the weapon and pushe
he out of the ring. Manly, coming toward hin