Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-08-26

uSure she preSeuIeu CllIuUluS up Iuo
steps at Brand6n's heels, jack boots
and all. So unique was it that the
sailors working in the ships waist
stopped their tasks to stare in wonder
ment and the gentlemen on the poop
made no effort to hide their amuse-
ment. Old Bradhurst stepped up to
her. s.=.-
Il hope your lordship is feeling bet
ter" and then. surveying her from
head to foot, with broad grin on his
features, II declare, you look the pic
ture of health, If ever saw it. How
old are your
Mary quickly responded, Fourteen
years."
"Fourteen," returned Bradhurst.
much blood. You look more like a
deuced handsome girl than any man
I ever saw" At this the men all
laughed and were very fmpertinent in
the free and easy manner Of such gen.
try, most of whom were professional
adventures with every finer sense
dulled and debased by years Of vice.
These fellows, half of them tpsy,
now gathered about Mary to inspect
her personally, each on his own &C.
count. Their looks and conduct were
very disconcerting, but they did MOTH
ing insulting until one fellow gave her
a slap on the back, accompanying it
by an indecent remark. Brandon tried
to pay no attention to them, but this
was too much, so he lifted his arm and
knocked the fellow off the poop into
the waist. The man was back in a
moment, and swords were soon drawn
and clicking away at a great rate. The
contest was brief, however, as the fell
low was no sort Of match for Brandon,
who, with his old trick, quickly twist
ed his adversary's sword out Of his
grasp and with a flash of his own
blade flung it into the sea. The other
men were now talking together at
little distance in whispers, and in
moment one drunken brute shouted:
1T is no man. 1t is a woman. Let US
see more of her!'
Before Brandon could interfere the
fellow had unbuckled Mary's doublet
at the throat and with a jerk had
torn it off, carrying away the sleeve
and exposing Mary's shoulder, almost
throwing her to the deck.
He waved his trophy on high, but
his triumph was short lived, for almost
instantly it fell to the deck, and with
1t the offending hand severed at the
wrist by Brandon's sword. Three or
four friends Of the wounded man
rushed upon Brandon, whereupon Mary
screamed and began to weep, which of
course told the whole story
A great laugh went up, and instantly
general fight began. Several of the
gentlemen, seeing Brandon attacked by
such odds, took up his defense, and
within twenty seconds all were on one
side or the other, every mothers son of
them fighting away like mad.
You see how quickly and completely
one woman without the slightest act on
her part, except a modest effort to be
| let alone, had set the whole company
by the ears, cutting and slashing away
at each other like very devils. The sex
| must generate mischief in some IN
known manner and throw it off, as the
sun throws off its heat. However, Jane
is an exception to that rule-if it is
rule
Fhe officers soon put a stop to this
lively little fight and took Brandon
and Mary, who was weeping as any
right minded woman would, down into
the cabin for consultation.
| With great oath Bradhurst ex-
claimed: 1T is plain enough that you
have brought a girl on board under
false colors, and you may as we'll make
ready to put her ashore. You see what
she has already done-a hand lost to
one man and wounds for twenty others
and she was on deck less than five
she would have the ship at the bottom
of Davy Jones' locker before we could
sail half down the channel"
| 1T was not my fault" sobbed Mary,
her eyes flashing fire. Il did nothing;
all wanted was to be left alone, but
those brutes of men-you shall pay for
this; remember what say. Did you
| OAPONI SdPLd1A " Stduu UdCh
and not defend me when that wretch
was tearing my garments OFF,
captain Brandon, did you say?''
asked Bradhurst, with his hat off in
stantly.
EYES," answered that Individual. 81
shipped under an assumed name for
various reasons, and desire not to be
known. You will do well to keep my
secret"
"Do understand that you are Mas.
ter Charles Brandon, the kings
friend?" asked Bradhurst.
II am" was the answer.
''Then, sir, l must ask your pardon
for the way you have been treated
We of course could not know it, but q
man must expect trouble when he at
taehes himself to a woman" It is a
wonder the flashes from Mary's eyes
did not strike the old seadog dead. He
however, did not see them and went
on: "We are more than anxious that SC
valiant u knight as Sir Charles Bran
don should 20 with us, and hope you]