Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1903-08-06

came to stand at the little skylight
to survey the scene of his ship, and
Crystal, on wide legs, rocked beside
him.
"She lifts with splendid buoyancy,"
said the commander, ~ never could
have believed that she possessed these
heels. Look how she throws the seas
away to, leeward! That fine Dutch
frigate which saved our lives would
not leap in loftier graces.
Certainly the little craft Just then
was a heroic picture for a commander
who was also her owner, to contem-
plate. Her four black dogs of war at
a side crouched in the scuppers; and
her tarpaulined forecastle gun looked
like a dead giant stitched up awaiting
burial. The twelve-pounder aft was
brass; a sullen CLINT broke in it when
the sun shone. 1t made a formidable
show on that little quarterback clear
Of the wheel, then grasped by two sea-
men, one colored man, the other as
black as gypsy with hair like snakes
crawling out of his hat down his back.
They looked pair of beauties, but
were indeed in perfect keeping with
the rest of the crew now visible.
1t was they who gave the little fly.
ing ship her wild and savage aspect.
The most formidable of them for ugli.
ness and bulk was Matthew Grindall
the boatswain, who had likewise
agreed to serve as second mate.
Though an Englishman, he had been
pirate aboard a Frenchman, had
also served as able seaman in a
scoundrel Spanish piccaroon, and
scarce a memory Of this mans for
year after year but was red and dread
full.
He was overseeing some work a
cluster Of seamen were upon in the
waist, and Captain Pope watched him.
Assuredly the Camperdown had been
shelled to some purpose Those Of
the crew who were at odd jobs about
the deck, or who were gathered into
groups about the galley and longboat,
were as completely pirate in face and
garb, in the sound Of their desperate
laughs, in their ceaseles oaths, in their
postures, and motions charged with
the brutalest spirit Of defiance and
recklessness, as the heart of man or
boy could yearn to read about, and
thirst to attend to the gallows.
"Crossman has done our purpose
justice" said Pope with a smile, with
his eyes fixed on Grindal. II expect
tnat most Of these men have seen
their turn as pirates"
They're here as privateersmen,"
exclaimed Crystal.
"They shall be undeceived," said
Pope, turning suddenly and beginning
to walk the short deck, Crystal beside
him. "And what's the difference"
1.-THE hangman knows" answered
Crystal.
WAS never privateersman
hanged?" cried Pope.
"a letter Of marque is as good as
a pennon," said Crystal. Then seeing
irritation in the commanders face
he said, HAS Mr.. Staunton any sus'
picion, dye think, Of the nature Of
this voyage?"
"None. Four hundred pounds In
cash, and the remainder in bills; that
sufficiently appeased the curiosity Of
"a man who had ship which was rot
ting her bottom out in the Thames.
Crossman acted well; he held as mute
as SKULL"
"Crossman Is a man you may de-
pend on" exclaimed Crystal. when
do you reckon upon taking the crew
into your confidence?"
This afternoon, Jonathan" said
Pope sternly.
Crystal looked away to sea.
There was now too much wind for
the royals; they were clewed up to
the shrill measures Of the bosun's
pipe; the flying jib was hauled down,
and the taut weather shrouds shook
as some seamen ran aloft.
Sail ho!" shouted one of them out
of the fore-top.
Where away?" roared Pope.
Ito be continued.