Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-10-30
CHAPTER VII.
AErrp A TnNn TIME

~~1HERE are only two men-of.
war in the whole lot"
Fright, yer honor. That
I'm near the shore there
away looks like big frigate. That III
be the Scraps, I'm thinkin'."
Eyes, and that one farther out the
Scarborough"
AYE, aye. sir, an all the rest on 'ein
is merchantmen. There amt a gun on
board any ON 'em. Nice pickin's them
ii be fer Us poor sailor men arter we
dispose Of them war vessels. Dash my
wig, jist think Of them fat traders an
we a-rummagii' among 'em"-
'That will do, Price. Just moderate
your transports a little," said the off,
Ger, stepping forward to the brow Of
the hill and taking another long look at
the harbor.
II amt no transport" muttered the
garrulous old man under his breath.
II won't carry no soldiers nowhere.
I'm a man-of-war. am" but he took
good care that his superior should not
hear these somewhat insubordinate r.
marks.
"well," said the other. finally turning
about after his close scrutiny, II think
we have ascertained about all we have
come for. They are the Baltic convoy,
without doubt. and you would better
make a straight course for the ship at
once and report"
AN you. sir?" asked the old man re-
Qv0OffrvIlU sSWny1,f oInnO
sir? hate to cut cable an leave you
here adrift alone, yer honor"
NO." answered the officer, after a
reflective pause. II think I shall go
up to that castle on the bluff beyond
and find out a little more definitely as
to the situation. II possible. Mean
while do you get on your horse and
ride back to Bridlington bay. Go
aboard the Alert and tell Mr.. Lunt,
from me. to Join the Richard to the
southwark at once. and notify Captain
Jones Of what we have seen. Tell him
think 1t will be perfectly safe for him
to come on. There il a great feet Of
merchant ships here with only two
ships of war. He will rejoice at the
chance Of a fair fight. I will find
means to join him at the rendezvous
before the rest of the ships can assem-
BILE and they can get under way. Now
bear hand. Don't let the grass grow
under your keel"
"Oh, Lord. yer honor, have I got to
| git on board that ere four legged craft
| ag'in" said old Price ruefully.
That's what you have to do, my
lad" remarked the officer cheerfully.
Seems like sometimes wrong with
him." said the old sailor. "A animal
wot steers by the head Is contrary like
to natur. Now II could only git him
| to go about on t'other tack, or wear
him, by shiftin' his tail, I'd understand
him perfectly; but this we're tller rope
Hggin' over his bows is wot gifts me.
| An, sir, I can't make out with them
ere stirrups nuther; it's like hangin'
without no fOotropes. Howsomever,
Y must, must guess"
"Oh, you won't mind it." replied the
officer, laughing at the old mans rue
full face. Besides, the winds fair
and you'll be going free most Of the
way. Just give him a touch of your
weather heel once in awhile, and you'll
soon make the harbor."
II never thought about the wind"
said the veteran gunner thoughtfully,
his face Frightening as he turned and
listened for 1t. Eyer honors right.
Twill be plain sailin'. Well, sir. an
chors aweigh, an here goesr'
The old seaman, giving great evk
dence Of his disinclination In spite of
the favoring breeze, at last climbed up
on the back Of his staid old horse, and,
resisting the temptation to give him
his direction by pull of the tail,
got under way and lurched rapidly
down the road. Left to himself. the
lieutenant mounted his own horse
surprising to state. for a sailor he was
an excellent horseman-and rode down
toward the sleeping town nestled
around Scarborough harbOr. which
was filled with a large feet of mer.
chant ships conveyed by two men of
war. all riding quietly at their anchors.
Opposite the ACTIVITY on which the
two men had stood and to the north
Of the town rose bold. splendid head.
land, or scar, almost an island, to the
height Of about 300 feet. The rugged
crest was crowned by a picturesque
old castle. The headland jutted boldly
out into the sea, and the wild waters
j dashed upon its walls from every side
Access to the castle from the town