The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-08-21

wheel over a few spokcs, and the
Ranger shot up into the wind little
and hung quivering moment with
checked way.
"Give her touch with the right
hand spike, lads" said old Price.
STEADY; shove in that quoin a little;
easy there; overhaul those tackles! All
ready, SIR
Now cried O'Neill.
A booming roar and a cloud of smoke
broke out forward, and the ball rico
chetted along tie water and sank just
under the quarter of the. chase.
LET her go off again." cried O'Neill
to the quartermaster, and moment
later as the sails filled and she heeled
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 in re-
ward" said Jones quietly. "Ah, we
shall have some answer at any rate
At this moment small red flag
broke out from the gaff of the English
vessel.
"Show our own colors aft there,
though they can scarcely see them"
cried the captain. Hes plucky one,
that fellow. What's he doing now ?
Fore Cad, he's got gun over the
quarter, a stern chaser. Must have
arms on board"
The Ranger was rushing through the
water again at rapidly increasing
rate, almost burying her lee cathead in
the foaming sea under the freshening
breeze, and was now very near the
Maidstone, which at this moment dis
charged the small stern chaser which
had been dragged astern, the shot
from which passed harmlessly through
the bellying foresail above their heads.
Give her another. Price" said
O'Neill upon a nod from Jones.
Unto her this time, sir?"
Eyes; anywhere you like"
The Ranger luffed again, losing lit
tie distance as she did so, but weather
ing appreciably on the stranger, and
this time the flying splinters from the
stern of the chase showed that the shot
IL.
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 spanker wang and APP
parently looking defantly at them.
O'Neill took up the glass and exam
ined her.
Faith, sir, she looks as pretty as she
&c hroro Goo for CT, bo odd
ed as he handed the telescope to the
captain, who took careful look at her
through the glass.
"You have good eye for the beauti-
full" he replied. smiling. "even 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 overreach the wealth
er quarter of the other vessel. AS they
held on recklessly together suddenly
the speed of the chase was diminished.
/ Mer helm was put down, and with
sails quivering and swaying she swun:
; up into the wind.
| 1--WE have her now" sad Jones
springing on the rail and leaning owe
, forward; may, it's too late. Misse,
stays! By heaven, she's in irons! She
doomed! Aft there, steady with th
helm! Give her good fall"
| In the next instant, with crasl
heard above the roar of the storm ever
upon the other ship, the i'll fatad Maid
| stone drove upon the reef broadsid
on. The shock Of meeting was tremen
dous Her masts were snapped shor
Off like pipestems; the bowling gal
jerked them over the sides, where the,
Numbered ana beat upon the slip wit
tremendous force Tie girl disar
peared.
Breakers aheadv on the instan
roared out half dozen voices in th
forecastle.
breakers on the starboard bow!
came the wild cry from all sides.
Down with the helm-hard down!
shouted O'Neill, with seaman's read
instinct, without waiting for the cal
tain. There was a moment of confr
sion on the deck.
STEADY with the helm-steady, sir!
cried Jones in his powerful voice, wit
an imperious wave of his hand. IS
lence fore and aft The dechsi Ever
man to his station, Keep her a goo
full, quartermaster. Keep that helm o
you have it. Look yonder, sir" he ado
ed, pointing to larboard to another daI