The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-08-28

\ deep chorus OF aye, ayes rang
through the air. The captain contin-
ued with sudden heat:
"Fore God, madam, don't under
stand how you could insult me with an
offer Of money!
"Oh, sir" said the girl, visibly re-
lieved, ''they told me that you were
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 his
hand in his bosom.
YES" said the young woman; they
said it would be you. Why, every
news letter in the land describes you
as-as"-
pirate, madam; say it. You have not
hesitated to speak the word hereto
fore 4 rebel-a traitor-a pirate" he
said, throwing up his head proudly
"'Tis a penalty which one pays for
fighting for freedom; but you, at least,
shall be able to speak unequivocally as
to our character, for | pledge you my
word you shall take no harm from US,
though l doubt not my young gentle
men here will be raked fore and aft
by the batteries of your bright eyes.
Now. will you vouchsafe me your name
and some of your story, that 1 may
know with whom | have to dO?"
my name is Howard, sir-Elizabeth
Howard replied the girl, Frightening
as her fears diminished. 81 am the
ward Of Admiral Lord Westbrooke, the
governor of Scarborough castle.
have no father or mother"
Another claim upon our considera-
ton, ma'am."
"Sir, l thank you. l was going to
visit friends in Liverpool when that
unfortunate ship there was wrecked.
Oh, what will become of me now" she
exclaimed, her eyes filling with tears
again.
Liverpool lies in our way, Mistress
Howard, and twill give me great pleas
ure to land you upon some convenient
point on the coast in a few days if the
wind hold and no mischance arise; and
now may l present my officers 20 you,
since we are to be fellow passengers
a!lT"
Upon receiving the desired permits
sion from the grateful girl, in whose
pale cheek the color began to come
again. the captain, who was great
stickler for etiquette, brought forward
the little group of officers and intro
duced them one by one. There was
much bowling and courtesying on the
quarter deck, which even the seamen
seemed to enjoy.
"This is all, l believe" said the cap
tain, having stopped with the smallest
midshipman. who announced himself
in his boyish treble, in comical imita-
ton of his elders, as vastly honored,
madam"
"The gentleman who brought me
here" questioned the girl, blushing
family. 81 trust he is not seriously in
jured?"
"Ah," replied Jones. my first lieu
tenant, Mr.. Barry O'Neill, a volunteer
with us and an officer in the service of
his most Christian majesty, my friend,
the king of France" On the ship
O'Neill had elected to sink his mar
quisate.
HE is not much hurt, Mistress How
ard, only battered about bit and pull
ed down by the nervous shock and eff
forts he underwent-why, here he is
now! Did not warn you, sir, to stay
below? said the doctor, shaking his
finger, as O'Neill, pale and languid,
with his head bound up, came slowly
up the companion way.
ooh, am all right, DOCTOR" said the
lieutenant, rather weakly, but smiling
with the audacity and gallantry of his
race as he spied the girl. "Who would
stay below with divinity on the deck
The thought of the presence Of this
lady above him would lift crusader
from his tombstone"
"Allow me to present you in due
form to Mistress Howard, Mr.. O'Neill,'
said the captain, somewhat severely,
evidently very DESTROYS of observing
the proprieties now.
"Sir," said the young girl, looking
gratefully at the IriShman out of her
violet eyes, 81 have to thank you for q
| most gallant rescue, made doubly hard
by my perversity and foolish apprehen-
sion, which this gentleman" bowling to
the fiattered captain, 'has most kindly
removed"
"'Twas pleasure to serve you, mad
am. May continue to enjoy it? We
| would sink another ship for such an.
other chance" said the Irishman lightly.
"Now, propose to give up one of my
! rabins to Mistress Howard and her
| maid," said the captain; land | pre-
sumo that she will need to rest after
the exciting incidents of the day until
| supper is served. If you are able, Mr..
O'Neill. should like to have you join
as there, with Mistress Towards per.
mission. of course. since the ship is
| hers He smiled toward her, and
when he smiled he was irresistible.
| 81 am honored, sir" replied the gir
graciously. And l thank you. Cap
tain, shall be delighted" continued
the young lady, laying her hand in his
| 3wn as he led her aft to the cabin door
in the break of the poop. Before she
| entered she turned and made a grace
full courtesy; her glance swept toward
the young lieutenant. O'Neill from thai
moment was no longer a captive-he
was slave.
Gentlemen, good afternoon" she
said, comprehending them in one
brilliant look, and smiling again. Il
was enough; that glance had giver
O'Neill any number Of rivals.