Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-07-23

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"A good shot, Muster Price"
wheel over a few spokos. and the
Ranger shot up into the wind Il little
and hung quiverng a moment with
checked way.
Give her touch with the right
hand spike, lads" said old Price.
"Stoady: shove in that quoin a little;
easy there; overhaul those tackles! All
ready, sir
Now" cried O'Neill.
A booming roar and cloud Of smoke
broke out forward, and the ball rico
chctted along the water and sank just
under the quarter of the chase.
Let her 30 off again. cried O'N"ill
to the quArtormHstor and Il moment
later as the sails filled and she hcelcd
once more to the wind, Very well
dyce; enough off, he cried.
"A good shot Master Price and a
glass of grog for you presently i'll re-
ward" said Jones quietly. "Ah, we
shall have some answer at any rate
At this moment small red flag
vessel.
SHOW our own colors aft there,
though they can scarcely see Them"
cried the captain. Hes "A plucky one,
that fellow What's he doing now?
Fore Cad, he's got gun over the
quarter, Il stern chaser. Must have
arms on board"
The Ranger was rushing through the
water again at rapidly increasing
rate almost burying her lee cathcad in
the foaming sea under the frcShrning
breeze. and was now very near the
Maidstone, which At this moment dis
charged the small stern chaser which
had been dragged astcrn. the shot
from which passed harmlessly through
the belying foresail above their heads.
"Give her another, Price," said
O'Neill upon a nod from Jones.
Into her this time, sirf'
eyes; anywhere You like"
The Ranger luffcd again. losing n lit
tie distance as she did so. hut weather.
in- appreciably on the stranger and
tllis time the flying splintors from the
stern of the chase showed MAT the shot
had mot its mark. There was sudden
scattering of the men upon her quar-
ter, and most of them Disappeared. but
the young girl could be seen holding on
to the weather SpanNer Yang 1nd ap.
parently looking dohauuy at them.
O'N"ill took up the glass and exam
incd her,
"Faith, sir, she looks rs pretty as she
Is bravo. Sec for yourself, sir" he add
ed as he banded the telescope to the
captain, who took careful look at her
through the glass.
"Nou have n good eve for tho beauti-
full" he replied, smiling. "evcn at a
long range. Secure the bow chaser, sir;
we are within musket range of her"
While this was being done the Ran
ger had crept up on the stranger till
her bow began TO overrea IA the wealth
or quarter of the other vessel As they
held on recklessly together suddenly
the speed Of the chase was diminished.
Her helm was put down, and with
calls quiverlng and swaying she swung
up into the wind
1--WE have her now" said Jones
sprlnging on the rail and leaning over
forward; may, it's too late. Missed
stays BY heaven, she's in irons, Shes
doomed. Aft there, steady with the
helm. Give her good full"
In the next instant, with crash
heard above the roar of the storm even
upon the other ship, the i'll fatod Maid
stone drove upon the reef broadsde
dOus. Her ylaSts were snapped short
off like pipcstcms; the bowling gale
jcrkcd them over the sides, where they
thundered and beat upon the ship with
tremendous force. The girl disap-
pearcd.
"Breakers ahead" on the instant
rOared out half dozen voices in the
forccastle
"Brcakcrs on the starboard bow"
came the wild cry from all sides.
down with the helm-hard down."
shouted O'Ncill. with n seaman's ready
instinct, without waiting for the cap
tain. There was moment Of confu-
sion on the deck
"Stoady with the helms steady, sir"'
cried Jones in his powerful voice, with
IN lmperious wave OF his hand Isl
'"nco iOH and AFT the decks. Every
Imam to his station. Keep her a good