Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-10-16

~ uncOnNlHceu, Dut IcSiSulnS hCiSS
to her fate, she finally sat down on the
small board and was swung to the
gangway.
The mistress gently laid the head or
the PROSTATE officer against one of the
thwarts, and, leaving the handkerchief
rs rest for 1t, 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 and 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 filed away.
O'NeilI 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 small, dapper, swarthy,
black avised, black haired man, in the
had the face Of q scholar and student.
with the bold. brilliant black eyes Of
a fighter. Surrounding him were other
officers and several young boys similar
ly dressed. Scattered about in various
parts of the ship, as their occupation
or station permitted. were a number OF
rude, fierce, desperate looking men,
nopdescript in apparel. None OF the
navies Of the world at that date. OK
cept in rare instances, uniformed its
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 a soil
tary watch.
Il bid you welcome to my ship, mad
am. So fair q face on q war vessel is
as grateful q sight as the sun after a
sQuall." said the officer, deliberately
bowling.
'Sir," said the young woman, trem-
bling slightly. Il am a person Of some
consideration at home. My guardian
will cheerfully pay you any ransom IL
you spare me. am a woman and
alone. 1 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. bawling vo-
ciferously and adding a touch Of com.
edy to the scene:
"Oh, sir, for the love of heaven. sir,
don't make us walk the plankw 1t
would seem that the maid had been
reading romances.
The seaLlen near enough to hear and
see grinned largely at this exhibition.
and the captain, with deep flush and
a black frown Oh his face, struggled to
release himself.
"Silence, womanw he cried fiercely
at last. Get up from your knees or.
by heaven. will have you thrown
overheard. and you, madam, for what
do you take meY
Are you not IA 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. II am an officer and, with
these gentlemen, am in the service of
the United States of America, the new
republic. This is the American Cont
70 %,
with us as you would be in your own
parlOr at hOme-sarer. IN fact. There
you would be surrounded by servants;
here are men who would die to prevent
harm coming to you. Is 1t not 80. gen.
tlemen?"
A deep chorus Of AYE, ayes" rang
through the air. The captain contin-
ued with sudden heat:
"'Fore God, madam, I don't under
stand how you could insult me with an
offer Of money!
"Oh, SIR" said the girl. visibly re-
iieved, "they told me that you were q
pirate and would murder US all. Are
you not
Captain John Paul Jones, at your
service, madam" interrupted the little
officer, with another bow, thrusting hil
hand In his bosom.
YES" said the young woman; "they
said 1t would be you. Why, every
news letter in the land describes you
as-as"-
pirate, madam; say It You have no,
hesitated to speak the word hereto
fore. A rebel-a traitor-a pirate" he
said. throwing up his head proudly
"'Tis a penalty which one pays fol
fighting for freedom; but you, at least
shall be able to speak unequivocally al
to our character. for I pledge you my
word you shall take no harm from us
though I doubt not my young gentle
men here will be raked fore and at
by the batteries of your bright eyes
Now. will you vouchsafe me your name
and some Of your story, that I may
know with whom I~have to doY'
my name is Howard. sir-Elizabetl
Howard" replied the girl, Frightening
as her fears diminished. Il am thu
ward Of Admiral Lord Westbrooke, tn,
governor of Scarborough castle.
have no father or mother"
Another claim upon our considera
ton, ma'am."
"Sir, thank you. I was going t,
visit friends in Liverpool when tina
unfortunate ship there was wrecked
Oh, what will become Of me nowY sh,
exclaimed, her eyes filling with tear,
again.
Liverpool lies In our way, Mistres.
Howard, and twill give me great pleas
ure to land you upon some convenien
point on the coast in a few days If tn,
wind hold and no mischance arise; ani
now may present my officers to you
since we are to be fellow passenger,
alp
Upon receiving the desired permis
sion from the grateful girl. in who's,
pale cheek the color began to com,
again. the captain. who was a grea
sticklcr for etiquette. brought forwart
the little group Of officers and intro
duced them one by one. There wal
much bowling and courtesying on tn,
| quarter deck. which even the seamel
I