Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-11-28


I'm a man-of-war, I am" but he took
good care that his superior should not
hear these somewhat insubordinate re-
marks.
"Well," said the other, finally turning
about after his close scrutiny, 81 think
we have ascertained about all we have
come for. They are the Baltic convoy.
without doubt, and you would better
make straight course for the ship at
once and report"
cam you, sir?" asked the old man re-
spectfuIly. won't you come along.
sir? / hate to cut cable an leave you
here adrift alone, yer honor"
"No," answered the officer, after
reflective pause. ~ think shall go
up to that castle on the bluff beyond
and find out little more definitely as
to the situation, if possible. Mean
while do you get on your horse and
ride back to Bridlington bay. Go
aboard the Alert and tell Mr.. Lunt,,
from me, to join the Richard to the
southwark at once, and notify Captain
Jones Of what we have seen. Tell him
think it Will be perfectly safe for him
to come ON. There is a great fleet of
merchant ships here with only two
ships Of war. He will rejoice at the
chance of fair fight. I will find
means to join him at the rendezvous
before the rest of the ships can assem-
BILE and they can get under way. Now
bear hand. Don't let the grass grow
under your keel"
"Oh, Lord, yer honor, have I got to
git on board that ere four legged craft
ag'in?" said old Price ruefully.
"That's what you have to do, my
lad" remarked the officer cheerfully.
Seems like sometimes wrong with
him." said the old sailor. "a animal
wot steers by the head is contrarylike
to natur. Now if could only git him
to go about on t'other tack, or wear
him, by shiftin' his tail, I'd understand
him perfectly; but this yere tiller rope
riggin' over his bows is wot gifts me.
An, sir, can't make out with them
'ere stirrups nuther; it's like hangin'
on to the yardarm in a tossin' sea
without no footropes. HowsomeYer,
If must, 1 must, l guess"
sob, you won't mind it," replied the
officer, laughing at the old mans rue
full face. Besides, the winds fair
and you'll be going free most of the
way. Just give him a touch of your
weather heel once in awhile, and you'll
soon make the harbor."
,,o1or 41,o
said the veteran gunner thoughtfully,
his face frightening as he turned and
listened for it. eyer honors right.
Twill be plain saiIin'. Well, sir, an
chor's aWeigh, an here goes1'
The old Seaman, giving great evi-
dence Of his Discrimination in spite of
the favoring breeze, at last climbed up
on the back of his staid old horse, and,
resisting the temptation to give him
his direction by pull of the tail,
got under way and lurched rapidly
down the road. Left to himself, the
lieutenant mounted his own horse
to state, for sailor he was
an excellent horseman-and rode down
toward the sleeping town nestled
around Scarborough harbor, which
was filled with a large fleet Of mer-
chant ships conveyed by two men Of
war, all riding quietly at their anchors.
Opposite the ACTIVITY on which the
,wo men had stood and to the north
# the town rose a bold, splendid head
and, or scar, almost an island, to the
Height of about 300 feet. The rugged
rest was crowned by a picturesque
I'D castle. The headland jutted boldly
tut into the sea, and the wild waters
Iashed upon its walls from every side.
Access to the castle from the town |
vas by means of a causeway and |
fridge springing over q rocky and |
therwise impossible connection be-
ween the cliff and the mainland,
which was sometimes flooded at high
lde.
Portions Of the castle were in bad
epair or had been dismantled in the
everal wars in which it had played
memorable part since its erection near
= 700 years before by a follower Of
William the Conqueror, but a large
art Of it was still inhabitsble and
ad been provided with sufficient
arrison,. A heavy water battery,
7hich had been &aced in position dur
1g the rebellion in 1745, had been re-
emily strengthened and REINFORCED.
Captain Jones, in the Bon Homme
:ichard, had been cruising around the
oasis Of the British islands for some
me. He had heard of the expected
rival Of the Baltic feet in these wa
ers and had presumed that 1t would
lake Scarborough harbor. Word had
cen received from small trader he
ad overhauled that large number
{ ships had assembled in that harbor,
nd in order to ascertain whether he
hight safely attack them with his
mall nondescript squadron he had &C
epted the voluntary services Of Lieu
snant O'Neill, seconded by Gunner
rice Of the Bon Homme Richard.
They had gone on ahead OF the
luadron in the cutter Alert and had
Lnded below Scarborough headland
nd ridden on to Scarborough to ascer-
IN fha 70 ots The lnrf was fo carry