The Grit-advocate., 1903-08-21

Crystals watch. and the two u.n
stumped the planks together. pone
came to stand at the little skyl,pft
to survey the scene of his shin and
Crystal, on wide legs, rocked beside
him.
She lifts with splendid buoyancy "
said the commander. Il never coult
have believed that she possessed these
heels. Look how she throws the seas
away to leeward. That fine Dutch
frigate which saved our lives wou,d
not leap in loftier graces.
Certainly the little craft Just then
was a heroic picture for a commander
who was also her owner. to contem.
plate. Her four black dogs of war AT
side crouched in the scuppers. and
her tarpaulined forecastle gun looked
like dead giant stitched up awaiting
burial. The twelve-pounder aft was
brass; a sullen CLINT broke in It when
the sun shone. 1t made formidable
show on that little quarterback clear
OF the wheel, then grasped by two sea.
men. one colored man. the other as
black as a gypsy with hair like snakes
crawling out of his hat down his back.
They looked pair OF beauties, bui
were indeed in perfect keeping with
the rest of the crew now visible.
1t was they who gave the little fly
ing ship her wild and savage aspect.
The most formidable of them for ugli-
ness and bulk was Matthew GrindaI.
the boatswain, who had likewise
agreed to serve as second mate
Though an Englishman, he had been
pirate aboard Frenchman. had
also served as able seaman in
scoundrel Spanish piccaroon, and
scarce memory of this mans for
year after year but was red and dread
full
He was overseeing some work
cluster of seamen were upon in the
waist. and Captain Pope watched him
Assuredly the Camperdown had been
shelled to some purpose. Those OF
the crew who were at odd jobs abou.
the deck, or who were gathered into
groups about the galley and lonsbo,t
were as completely piratic in face and
garb, in the sound of their desperate
laughs, in their ceaseles oaths, in their
postures, and motions charged witn
the brutalest spirit Of defiance and
recklessness, as the heart of man or
boy could yearn to read about, and
thirst to attend to the gallows.
"Crossman has done our purpose
justice" said Pope with smile, with
his eyes fixed on Grindal. Il expect
tnat most of these men have seen
their turn as pirates"
They're here as privateersmen,"
exclaimed Crystal.
"They shall be undeceived," said
Pope. turning suddenly and beginning
to walk the short deck, Crystal beside
him. And what's the difference"
"The hangman knows" answered
Crystal.
WAS never a privateersman
hanged?" cried Pope.
"A letter of marque is as good as
pennon,' said Crystal. Then seeing
irritation in the commanders face,
lie Sdlu, Ilds MI. SuS-
picion, dye think, of the nature OF
this voyage?"
"None. Four hundred pounds in
cash, and the remainder in bills; that
sufficiently appeased the curiosity Of
a man who had ship which was rot
ting her bottom out IN the Thames.
Crossman acted we'll; he held as mute
as a SKULL"
"Crossman is a man you may de-
pend on" exclaimed Crystal When
do you reckon upon taking the crew
into your confidence?"
This afternoon, Jonathan" said
Pope sternly.
Crystal looked away to sea.
There Was now too much wind for
the royals; they were clewed up to
the shrill measures OF the bo'suns
pipe; the flying jib was hauled down.
and the taut weather shrouds shook
as some seamen ran aloft.
Sail ho!' shouted one of them on:
OF the foretop.
Where away?" roared Pope.
ITO be continued.