Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-09-09
Last Cruise Of the Nary Ann


II dunno, put there is one. Now
you git the sounds palmer. It's boat,
I tell you, and she's pulling at least
four oars. She must be from wreck,
and you'd better light lantern and
lash it in the riggin' to guide EN-"
A lantern was procured and placed
as suggested, and 1t had scarcely
thrown it's light over the waters when
there was a hail from half a dozen
throats at once. Captain Hopewell an
swered 1t, and within FIVE minutes
every one Of the crew Of the Mary
Ann was on deck and wide-awake
with curiosity.
The halls were repeated at intervals,
the sound Of the oars came nearer, ana
at the end Of half an hour big
yawl with twelve men and their dun
mage in it drew alongside the Mary
Ann.
"By Josh, then, but it's a crew of
Dutchmenv' exclaimed Captain Hope
WELL as he peered down in the boat.
He was right. They were big and
sturdy men who had sailed out Of the
Texel, and it was quickly discovered
that not one of them could speak Eng
| lish. Each one brought his bag Of
| clothing over the rail with him, but
water ard provisions were left behind.
| A MAJ. who was doubtless the mate
Of the crew advanced to Captain Hope
well and entered into long explain
alton, not one word Of which was un-
derstood. 1t was, however, guessed
that his ship had sprung a leak and
that he had been obliged to abandon
her.
He was made to understand that
they were welcome and would be land
ed in London, and by and by the
twelve men withdrew in body and
stretched themselves on deck and
went to sleep. Nancy had looked into
the faces of all in a critical way, and
" lille the Dutch mate was telling his
story her eyes never left his face.
When the strangers had withdrawn
she descended to the cabin and few
minutes later Captain Elisha followed
her and said:
Nancy, I'm jiggered If this amt
funny thing. I can't say that things
look exactly right to me-"
81 tell you what, Elisha" she re-
piled in her quiet way. IF a ship had
bin on fire or In a sinkin' state them
men would never have brought all
their clothin' and heaped in the water
and provisions they did,"
"No, by Josh, they wouldn't, but
how do they come to be adoatT
"Dupno, but there's a mystery about
1t. There's the hull crew except the
captain. How did he come to be left
behind? And didn't you notice how
the men looked the brig over and kept
dodgin' and whisperin'? I'm be-
levin we shall have trouble with 'em,
Elisha"
"But they can't be pirates"
Probably not"
"And there's no war between U.s."
| "No, but we can't make out their
story, and I do believe that mate was
lynn all the time. I wish he hadn't
shown q light and brought them
aboard"
The Dutchmen were tired with their
pull at the oars and slept soundly till
the morning watch of the Mary Ann
was ready to wash down decks. Then
they rose up, yawning and stretching,
and the last was hardly on his feet
before the breeze came. Sail was made
at once, and as the Mary Ann laid her
course Captain Hopewell called the
cook aft to see about preparing break
fast for the extra men.
He had his eye on the strangers at
the same time and noted that they had
gathered in bunch and were whisper
ing together. Their yawl was big
and clumsy boat, provided with oars
and sail, and as there was no room
on the deck Of the brig to stow it the
captain went forward and tried to
make the Dutch mate understand that
the contents should be hoisted aboard
and the yawl sent adrift.
| He made himself clear enough, but
as If his words ard gestures had been
| u SlEUA1 Lu0 LWSlNO OuICumeu dC OuCc
sprang upon the crew Of the Mary
Ann, all of whom were on deck. They
| were stout, determined men, and the
move was so sudden that no resistance
was made.
Nancy heard the scuff1e and appear
ed on deck to find Captain Elisha and
all his men prisoners. They were
prisoners, and yet they were not
bound. When they made no struggle,
the Dutch mate took off his cap to
| Nancy and sought to make it clear to
the others that they were to be sent
adrift in the yawl.
"Wall, dye understand what he's
driyin' at?" asked Captain Elisha. as
he turned to Nancy.
II do, Elisha" she replied, "and I'm
not bit surprised. They mean to
turn us adrift. and go sailing away
with the brig"