Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-07-30
DAILY SHORT STORY
A Woman's Winning Method
IOriginal.l

Inc term 'Ducca0eeT Is aSSOCldCeQ
in most peoples minds with that of
pirate" The buccaneers were at first
privateers authorized to prey on Span
ish commerce, but afterward degener-
ated into sea robbers. On one of these
buccaneer ships more than century
ago among the crew was woman
dressed in mans clothes. She had
worn this attire for several years as a
soldier and had taken part in a num-
Der of battles. When peace came she
concluded to try the sea, and, shipping
for the West Indies, Joined the buc-
cancers. The secret of her sex was
we'll preserved, and not a person knew
that she was a woman.
Anne Prestwich, or Peter Prestwich,
as she was known on the buccaneer.
fell desperately in love with one of the
sailors, Percival Whitford, large, blue
eyed, fiaXen haired, devil may care fell
low, who, though he treated Anne in as
friendly u manner as any one else, not
knowing that she was a woman, had
no thought of the tender passion.
Anne concealed her love, not daring
to reveal 1t with q confession of her
sex for fear that Percy would be re
PEELED by the knowledge. For months
she worshiped him in secret. Then an
opportunity arose for revealing her
love under the most favorable circum-
stances. Percy became involved in Il
quarrel with a sailor named Millkin.
and q challenge passed. Whitford and
Mplikin were in different watches, and
the duel could not take place until after
eight bells In the afternoon. Shortly
after dinner a number of the crew were
lolling on the forecastle. among them
Anne Prestwich and Millilxin.
You'll make short work of the blue
eyed fellow" remarked one of the men
TO Mnlikin.
''If he does" said Anne. it'll be by
foul means"
"Whatr cried Niillikin. starting up,
while the others looked thunderstruck.
Didn't you hear met" replied Anne.
towards don't fight fair. They al
ways manage to get some advantage"
you dare say this to mel" shouted
Millikin. standing on his feet and put
ting his hand to his knife.
Il say nothing except what's true"
Millikin made a rush for Anne, but
those present stood between.
''I'H have your life for thisv' cried
Millikin. LAS soon as 1 get through
with Whitford I'll attend to you"
why wait for that?" asked Anne
coolly. "This Is as good n time as any,
and you'll have to wait till eight bells
for Whitford"
agreed. I'll fight you now. Draw"
81 have choice of weapons, and
| choose swords" said Anne.
A ring was formed, a couple of or
binary swords were brought up from
below. and the two opponents set to
work. Anne, the ex-soIdier, who had
been drilled in sword exercise in bar
racks, from the first showed her SUI
periority to Millikin, whose only prac-
tice had been in action with the cutlass.
She received a few scratches which her
opponent intended for mortal wounds,
and, watching her opportunity, ran
him through the heart. Millikin
dropped dead, and Anne. wiplng her
sword on her trousers, turned and went
down the companionway.
When Whitford came off watch he
had been told that there was no quar-
rel on his hands since Peter Prestwich
had removed his antagonist. He went
straight to Anne, whom he found in the
| forecastle.
Pete" he said, what do you mean
by taking my quarrel?"
81 had as good a right to fight him
as you"
"But they say you insulted him with
out cause. Then you proposed to fight
him before I had my turn with him"
Eyes; that's true
"Well, it's plain that you stepped in
between him and me. Millikin never
injured you. Tell me why you have in.
terfered to shield me-
Anne turned away, but there was
something in the glance she gave him
that sent thrill through him, though
he did not know why.
The next day the buccaneer touched
port at one of the coast towns, and
when the first batch of shore leaves
were granted it happened that Peter
Prestwich and Percy Whitford were
among the number who went ashore.
When they reached the quay Anne
went off by herself, while the others
sought the nearest saloon. Later they
drifted into the San Louis tavern, and
while they were standing at the bar a
waiter stepped up to Percy WhitfOrd
and whispered that lady wished to see
him in a parlor upstairs. Not aware
that he knew any woman in the place.
he hesitated a moment, then, without
speaking of his going, sauntered out.
When he entered the room there was
but one woman in it. A trim figure
stood before the window robed in a
plain but neat gown, cut in the fashion
of the times. while on the head was a
cap which entirely concealed the back
hair. Percy advanced, and as he did so
the woman turned. but while his face
was in the full light of the window
hers was not. There was something
very familiar in the rather attractive
face. Percy was sure he knew the girl.
but could not place her.
"Lassie,' he said. you've got the bet