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

as a rest for 1t. followed the maid
Then the old cockswain secured the
lieutenant to the chair, and when he had
reached the deck, where he opened his
eyes and recovered consciousness with
incredible promptncss, the boat was
dropped astcrn. the falls hooked on and
she was smartly run up TO her place at
the davits. and the Ranger filled away.
O'Ncill was ut once assisted below to
his cabin. and his wounds, which were
not serious, were attended to by the
surgeon.
When the young woman Joined her
maid on the deck her glance compre-
hcnded curious picture. In front OF
her. hat in hand, bowling low before
her, stood a small, dnpper, swarthy.
black avised, black haired man. in the
blue uniform of naval officer He
had the face of n scholar and student.
with the bold. brilliant black eyes of
q fighter. Surrounding him were other
officers and several young boys similar
~ dressed. Scattered about in various
parts of the ship, as their occupation
or station permitted, were number OF
rude fierce, desperate looking men,
nondescript in apparel None of the
navieS of the world at that date, OK
| cept in rare instances, uniformed it's
men. on either side of the deck black
guns protruded through the ports. and
| here and there marine, carrying a
| musket and equipped in uniform of
white and green, stood or paced q soil
tary watch.
IL bid you welcome to my ship, mad
am. So fair face on war vessel is
as grateful sight as the sun after n
squall." said the officer, deliberately
bowling.
Sir said the young woman. trem-
bling slightly, II am person Of some
consideration at home. My guardian
will cheerfully pay you any ransom If
you spare me. l am woman and
alone. | beg you, sir to use me kind
| ly." She clasped her hands in beseech.
ing entreaty. her beautiful eyes filling
with tears.
At this signal the fears of the maid
broke out afresh, and she pumped
down on her knees and Crasped the
captain around the legs, bawling vo-
cifcrously and adding a touch of com
edy to the scene:
"Oh, sir, for the love OF heaven, sir.
don't make us walk the plank" 1t
would seem that the maid had been
| reading romanceS.
The seamen near enough to near and
see grinned largely at this exhibition.
and the captain, with a deep flush and
black frown on his face. struggled TO
release himself.
"Silence, woman" he cried fiercey
at last. Get up from your knees or,
by heaven, will have you thrown
overheard, and you, madam, for what
do you take me-"
Are YOU not IA pirate. sir?" she
answered. hesitatiNg. They told me
on the ship that YOU
mo pirate am l." interrupted the
man proudly, laying his hand on his
sword Il am an officer and. with
these gentlemen, am in the service OF
the United States of America, the new
republic This is the American Cont
Mental ship Ranger. You are as safe
with us as you would be in your own
parlor at homc-Safer. in fact There
you would be surrounded by servants;
bore are men who would die to prevent
hrrm coming to you. l. it not so, gen
tlemen:"
deep chorus OF AYE, ayes" -ang
through the air The captain contin-
ued with sudden heat:
"'Fore God, madam, I don't under
stand how you could insult me with an
offer of money"
ooh, sir" said the girl, Nisibly re-
lieved, they told me that you were a
pirate and would murder us all. Are
you not
Captain John Paul Jones' Mt your
service madam" interrupted the little
officer. with another bow, thrusting his
hand in his bosom.
Yes" said the young woman; they
said 1t would be you. Why, every
news letter in the land describes you
as-as"--
Pirate, madam say it. You have not
hcsitated 10 speak the word hereto
fore. A rebe-a traitor-a pirate. he
said, throwing up his head proudly
'Tis IA penalty which one pays for
lighting for freedom; but You. at least
shall be able to speak uncQuiYocally rs
10 our character, for pledge You my
word you shall take no harm from U.S.
though | doubt not my young gentle
men here will be rakod fore and aft
by the batteries of your bright eyes
Now, will you vouchsafe me your name
and some of your story, that | may
know with whom | have to do?'
My name is Howard, sir-Elizabeth
Howard" replied the girl, Frightening
as her fears diminished. Il am the
ward of Admiral Lord Westhroobe, the
, governor of Scarborough castle.
have no father or mother"
Another claim upon our considcra
ton, ma am"
sir, thank you. l was going tC
visit friends in Liverpool when tina,
unfortunate ship there was wrecked
Oh. what will become of me nowf" 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; ano
now may | present my officers 20 you
since we are to be fellow passengers
a,l?"