Gilpin observer., 1903-10-01

rope. He TOOK another long look, IN
the midst of which flash of fre
glanced like lightning of storm at the
schooner's bow, and the ball struck
the briggs quarter.
Crystal" yelled Pope, "hoist tho
black flag; We'll chance it,"
In a minute the sinister rag of the
rover went soaring to the main royal
masthead, the helm was put down,
the yards were braced sharp up, and
the brig with quivering leeches lay
waiting for the schooner, at whose
main-topmast head was now blowing
the black flag of the pirate.
When the briggs men saw that
square of sable bunting, stirless as
painting in the wind, they roared.
they shouted, they screamed; they
went mad with excitement, and spring
ing upon the bulwark rails cheered
the on-coming stranger with extrava-
giant demonstration of arm and cap.
Gods, what would l give to ex-
change this butterbox for yoader
beauty" groaned Pope.
When the schooner had measured
she shortened sail with magical celer-
ity, put her helm hard down, and with
fiattened-in sheets drove alongside of
the brig.
A tall man whose beard shook like
smoke at his chin, who was draped in
short yellow coat under which his
long legs descended into a pair of
sea-boots, hailed in good English but
with a foreign accent:
"Ho! the brig ahoy, What brig
are you?"
We're the pirate brig Gypsy of
and from London, cruising for ship"
Pope bawled, in answer to the hail.
What schooner is that?"
I'VE are the pirate schooner Julia
Morton of Liverpool. but now from
Cadiz, like yourselves cruising for
ship" was the reply, in good English
whose articulation carried a foreign
accent.
viii you come aboard of me and
have a yarn, and taste of my briggs
hospitality" shouted Pope, "or shall
go On board of you?"
The tall man raised his hand as
though asking for moment to con-
slider. he then addressed a man dark
as mulatto, probably the mate of the
schooner; minute later he called
out Brig. ahoy. l will go on board
of you," on which Pope lifted his nat
and fiourished 1t.
"Cadiz." said Pope to Crystal, while
they stood together in the gangway
waiting for the arrival of the captain
of the schooner ION a cruise for a
ship! Smite me, John, If like it!''
pretense of entertaining them, clap
'em under. then foul the schooner and
take her." said Crystal
Pope scowled in thought with fold
ed arms, but made no answer.
The schooner lowered handsome
boat. Twelve men entered her, and
then the captain, he of the beard and
the boots, sprang from the reel of the
gangway into her sternsheets. In a
few flashes of oar the boat was along
side the Gypsy.
The captain Of the schooner climbed
over the briggs side, and a number of
his men followed him. All were
armed. Pope extended his hand to
the bearded pirate. and inquired his
name.
Captain Bland" he answered, with
a countenance of religious repose and
in the voice OF one who reads at a
grave-side.
Are you straight from London"
said he, after looking hard at Crys-
tai. and then round at the little ship
whose character was abundantly pro-
claimed to his satisfaction by the
readiness with which the briggs crew
and his own men had fraternized, one
or two of them indeed having been
old shipmates, so that it was why.
damn me. Tom" and why, blast
me. William"
Straight" answered Pope. And
you're from Cadiz!"
''Ha." replied Captain Bland. in sol.
emn delivery.
WAS there ever ship left that
port" inquired Captain Pope. before
you sailed, named the Madre de
Dios?"
ITO be continued.)
Law of Treasure Trove."