Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-11-21
CHAPTER III.
A GENTLE PIRATE.

r. noted the every movement OF
EsssyagNF.SSS the whaleboat as she drew
SaSsSss near the Ranger. Old Price
saw that a whip and a boatswain S
chair had been rugged on the main
yardarm, to swing his passengers on
board The sight Of the dangling rope
awakened a fresh fit Of apprehension
on the part of the timorous maid, and 1T
was with great difficulty that the
amused seaman persuaded her that she
was not to be hanged outright. Entire
~ unconvinced, but resigning herself
to her fate. she finally sat down on the
small board and was swung to the
gangway.
The mistress gently laid the head of
the PROSTATE officer against one of the
thwarts, and. leaving the handkerchief
as Il rest for it. followed the maid.
Then the old cockswain secured the
lieutenant to the chair. and when he had
reached the deck. where he opened his
eyes anG recovered consciousness with
incredible promptness, the boat was
dropped astern. the falls hooked on and
she was smartly run up to her place at
the davits, and the Ranger filled away.
O'Neill was at once assisted below to
his cabin. and his wounds, which were
not serious, were attended to by the
surgeon.
When the young woman joined her
maid on the deck her glance compre-
hended a curious picture. In front of
her. hat in hand, bowling low before
her. stood a small, dapper, swarthy,
black avised. black haired man, in the
blue uniform of a naval officer. He
had the face of a scholar and student.
with the bold. brilliant black eyes Of
a fighter. Surrounding him were other
officers and several young boys similar
~ dressed. Scattered about in various
parts Of the ship. as their occupation
or station permitted. were number of
rude, fierce. desperate looking men,
nondescript in apparel. None of the
nayies of the world at that date. eX-
cept in rare instances, uniformed it's
men. On either side of the deck black
guns protruded through the ports. and
here and there a marine. carrying a
musket and equipped in uniform of
white and green. stood or paced soil
tary watch.
Il bid you welcome to my ship. mad
am. So fair face on war vessel is
as grateful a sight as the sun after a
squall," said the officer. deliberately
bowling
':Sir." said the young woman, trem-
bling slightly. 81 am person of some
consideration at home. My guardian
will cheerfully pay you any ransom if
you spare me. l am a woman and
alone I beg you, sir, to use me kind
ly." She clasped her hands in beseech-
ing entreaty, her beautiful eyes filling
with tears.
At this signal the fears of the maid
broke out afresh. and she pumped
down on her knees and grasped the
captain around the legs. bawiing vo-
ciferously and adding touch of COM
edy to the scene:
ooh, sir. for the love of heaven, sir,
don't make US walk the plankw 1t
reading romances.
The seamen near enough to hear and
see grinned largely at this exhibition.
and the captain. with deep flush and
a black frown on his face, struggled to
release himself.
"Silence. woman!" he cried fiercely
at last. Get up from your knees or,
by heaven. I will have you thrown
overheard. and you. madam, for what !
do you take me?"
care you not "a pirate, sirY' she |
answered, hesitating. "They told me
On the ship that you
mo pirate am l." interrupted the
man proudly, laying his hand on his
sword. Il am an officer and, with
these gentlemen, am in the service of |
tive United States of America, the new
republic. This is the American CONT
mental ship Ranger. You are as safe
with us as you would be in your own
parlor at hcSne safer, in fact There
you would be surrounded by servants;
here are men who would die to prevent
harm coming to you. Is it not so, gen.
tlemen"
A deep chorus Of AYE, ayes rang
IAiiou5h Ilc an Lie captain COnLl0-
ued with sudden heat:
Fore God, madam, I don't under
stand how you could insult me with an
offer of money! +
ooh, SIR" said the girl, visibly re-
l1eyed, 'they told me that you were a
pirate and would murder us all. Are
you nof''-
Captain John Paul Jones, at your
service, madam" interrupted the little
officer, with another bow, thrusting his
hand in his bosom.
eyes," said the Young woman; ''they
said it would be you. Why. every
news letter in the land describes you
pirate, madam; say it. You have not
hesitated to speak the word hereto
fore. A rebel-a traitor-a pirate" he
said, throwing up his head proudly.
. Ills penalty which one pays for
lighting for freedom; but you, at least, q
shall be able to speak unequivocally as
10 our character. for pledge you my