Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-10-09

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"A good shot. Master Price"
wheel over few spokes, and the
Ranger shot up into the wind little
and hung Quivering a moment with
checked way.
'Give her a touch with the right
hand spike. lads" said old Price.
STEADY; shove In that Quoin a little;
easy there: overhaul those tackles! All
ready, SIR"
"Noww cried O'Neill.
A booming roar and q cloud of smoke
broke out forward, and the ball rico
chetted along the water and sank just
under the quarter Of the chase.
LET her 60 of again." cried O'Neill
to the quartermaster, and a moment
later as the sails filled and she heeled
once more to the wind, Every well
dyce; enough off," he cried.
"a good shot, Master Price, and
glass of grog for you presently in re-
ward" said Jones quietly. "Ah, we
shall have some answer at any rate"
At this moment - small red flag
broke out from the gaff Of the English
vessel.
"Show our own colors aft there,
though they can scarcely see them,"
cried the captain. Hes a plucky one,
that feHeY. Whats he doing now3
Fore Cad. he's got q gun over the
quarter, a stern chaser. Must have
arms on board"
The Ranger was rushing through the
water again at a rapidly increasing
rate, almost burying her lee cathead in
the foaming sea under the freshening
breeze. and was now very near the
Maidstone, which at this moment dis
charged the small stern chaser which
had been dragged astern, the shot
from which passed harmlessly through
the bellying foresail above their heads.
"Give her another, Price," said
O'Neiu upon a nod from Jones.
xuuV 0CI kAl8 ll0C,
Eyes; anywhere you like"
The Ranger luffed again, losing a lit
tie distance as she did 20, but weather.
ing appreciably on the stranger, and
this time the flying splinters from the
stern Of the chase showed that the shot
had met its mark. There was q sudden
scattering Of the men upon her quar-
ter. and most of them disappeared. but
the young girl could be seen holding on
to the weather spanker yang and ap-
parently looking defantly., at them.
O'Neill took up the glass and exam
ined her.
"Faith. sir. she looks Al pretty az she
Is brave. See for yourself, sir" he add
ed rs he handed the telescope to the
captain, who took a careful look at her
through the glass.
"You have a good eye for the beauti-
full" he replied, smiling. "even at q
long range. Secure the bow chaser, sir;
we are within musket range Of her."
While this was being done the Ran
ger had crept up on the stranger till
her bow began to overreach the wealth
er quarter of the other vessel. As they
held on recklessly together suddenly
the speed Of the chase was diminished.
Her helm was put down, and with
sails Quivering and swaying she swung
up into the wind.
I'VE have her now" said Jones,
springing on the rail and leaning over
forward; may, it's too late. Missed
stays! By heaven, she's in irons! She's
doomed! Aft there, steady with the
helm! Give her a good full"
In the next instant, with a crash
heard above the roar Of the storm even
upon the other ship. the Ill fated Maid
stone drove upon the reef broadside
On. The shock Of meeting was tremen-
dous. Her masts were snapped short
OF like pipestems; the bowling gale
jerked them over the sides, where they
Numbered and beat upon the ship with
tremendous force. The girl disap.
peared.
Breakers aheadw on the instant
roared out . half dozen voices in the
forecastle.
Breakers on the starboard bowv'
|. came the wild cry from all sides.
Down with the helm-hard DOWN.
shouted O'Neill. with seaman's ready
instinct, without waiting for the cap.
tain. There was q moment of confu.
sion on the deck.
STEADY with the helm-steady, sirv
cried Jones in his powerful voice, with
an imperious wave OF his hand. Isl
lence fore and aft the decks! Every
man to his station! Keep her a good
full, quartermaster. Keep that helm q
you have 1t. Look yonder, SIR" he add.
ed, pointing to larboard to another dan.
ger. Ready about, stations for stays
Aft with you, Mr.. O'Neill, and see that
the helm Is shifted exactly as direct
Make no mistake! Lively. men. foz
your lives.'
The eager crew sprang to their sta.
lions. There was another moment OF
two of confusion, and as they settled
down the silence was broken only by
the wind and waves. The water was
seething and whirling under the fore.
foot Of the Ranger. The reefs upon
| which the Maidstone had crashed were
dangerously near. But the keen eye Of
the captain had seen on the other side
a slender needle of rock over which the
waves broke In seething fury as II
thrust itself menacingly out of the an.
CRY ocean. They were right among the
reefs, and only the most complete
knowledge and consummate seaman
ship could save them. They were there
To tack ship now and come up In the
wind would throw them ON the rocky
needle; to go or would Bring them
down upon the other reefs. Jones, en-
tirely master Of the situation, perfectly
cool in appearance, though his eyes
snapped and sparkIed with fire, leaned
,, out above the knightheads and keenly
scanned the sea before him. There was