The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-08-28

wall, Nancy, dye think anybody
will steal the woodpile while we're
gone on this trip"
"I'm listenin'. Elisha" she replied
as she laid a hand on his arm. Cant
you catch the sound of oar locks off
here to the north?"
Its some noise in the hold" he
answered. after listening a minute.
mo, it's not. There-there-don't
you catch it,"
by Josh, l do! Yes. it sounds like
oars at work, but how on earth can
a boat be out there?"
~ dunno, but there is one. Now you
git the sounds palmer. It's a boat, I
tell you, and she's pulling at least four
oars. She must be from a wreck, and
you'd better light a lantern and lash
it in the riggin' to guide 'em."
A lantern was procured and placed
as suggested, and it had scarcely
thrown its light over the waters when
there was a hail from half-a dozen
Threats at once. Capt. Hopewell
answered it, and within five minutes
every n of the crew of the Mary
Ann was on deck and wideawake with
curiosity.
The halls were repeated at intervals.
the sound of the oars came nearer, and
at the end of half an hour a big yawl
with II men and their dunnage in it
drew alongside the Mary Ann.
by Josh, then, but it's a crew of
Dutchmen::" exclaimed Capt. Hopewell
as he peered down in the boat.
He was right. They were big and
sturdy men who had sailed out of the
Texel, and it was quickly discovered
that not one of them could speak Eng
fish. Each one brought his bag of
clothing eel the rail with him, but
water and provisions were left be-
hind.
A man who was doubtless the mate
Of the crew advanced to Capt. Hopewell
and entered into a long explanation,
not II word of which was under
stood. 1t was, however, guessed that
his ship had sprung a leak and that
he had been obliged to abandon her.
He was made to understand that
they we're welcome and would be
landed in London, and by and by the
IL of them withdrew in a body and
stretched themselves on deck and went
to sleep. Nancy had looked into the
faces Of all in a critical way, and while
the Dutch mate was telling his story
her eyes left his face.
When the strangers had withdrawn
she descended to the cabin and in a
few minutes later Capt. Elisha fol-
lowed her and said:
Nancy, I'm jiggered if this isn't a.
funny thing. l can't say that things
look exactly right to me-"
"Ill tell you what, Elisha" she re-
piled in her quiet way. eff a ship had
bin on fire or in a sinkin' state them
men would never have brought all
their clothin' and heaped in the water
and provisions they did"
mo, by Josh, they wouldn't, but
how do they come to be afoat?"
Dunno, but there's a mystery about
it. There's the hull crew except the
captain. How did he come to be left
behind? And didn't you notice how
the men looked the brig over and kept
dodgin' and whispering I'm believin'
we shall have trouble with ZEN,
Elisha"
"But they can't be pirates"
Probably not"
"And there's no war between u.s."
mo, but we can't make out their
story, and I do believe that mate was
lyin' all the time. I wish he hadn't
shown a light and brought them
aboard"
The Dutchmen were tired with their
pull at the a and slept soundly till.
the morning watch of the Mary Ann
was ready to wash down decks. Then
they ros up, yawning and stretching,
and the last "a hardly on his feet
before the breeze came. Sail was MADE
at once, and as the Mary Ann laid her
course Capt. Hopewell called the cook
aft to see about preparing breakfast
for the extra men.
He had his eye on the strangers at
the same time and noted that they had
gathered in a bunch and were whisper
ing together. Their yawl was a big
and clumsy boat, provided with oars
and sail, and as there was no room
on the deck of the brig to stow it the
captain went forward and tried to
make the Dutch mate understand that
the contents should be hoisted aboard
and the yawl sent adrift.
He made himself clear enough, but
as if his words and gestures had been
a signal the IL Dutchmen at once
sprang upon the crew of the Mary Ann,
all of whom were on deck. They were
stout, determined men, and the move
was SO sudden that no resistance was
made.
Nancy heard the scuffle and appeared
on deck to find Capt. Elisha and all
his men prisoners. They were pris-
oners, and vet they were not bound.
When they made no struggle, the
Dutch mate took off his cap to Nancy
and sought to make it clear to the
others that they were to be sent adrift
in the yawl.
wall, dye understand what he's
driyin' at??" asked Capt. Elisha as he
turned to Nancy.