The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-09-19

az Gls laiN g hand on MS arm. can't
you catch the sound of q locks on
here 70 the north39
rIt's some noise In the hold" no
answered, after listening a minute.
'No. it's not Thefs-there-don't
you catch it?"
"By Josh, I do Yes # sounds like
oars ct work, but how on earth can
q boat be out there?'
Fl dunno, but there IS one Now you
git the sounds palmer. It's q boat !
tell you, and she's pulling ct least four
oars. She must be from a wreck. and
you'd better light q lantern and lash
it In the riggin' to guide EN-"
"A lantern was procured and placed
as suggested, and it had scarcely
thrown fits light over the waters when
there was a hail from half-a dozen
threats at once. Capt. Hopewell
answered it, and within Eve minutes
every one 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 IL men and their dunnage in il
drew alongside the Mary Ann.
"By Josh, then, but it's a crew Of
Dutchmenl" 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 over the rail with him, but
water and provisions we're left be-
hind.
Al man who was doubtless the mate
Of the crew advanced to Capt. Hopewell
and entered into a long explanation.
not one word of which was under
stood. It 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 were welcome and would be
landed in London, and by and by thC
IL Of them withdrew in a body and
stretched themselves on deck and wen.
to sleep. Nancy had looked into thu
faces of all in a critical way, and while
the Dutch mate was telling his stor!
her eyes never left his face.
When the strangers had withdraw
she descended to the cabin and in
few minutes later Capt, Elisha fol
lowed her and said:
Nancy, I'm jiggered if this isn't
5 funny thing. 1 can't say that thing
look exactly right to me-"
"Tu tell you what, Elisha" she re
e Piled in her quiet way. eff a ship ha
bin on fire or in a sinkin' state theT
men would never have brought al
their clothin' and heaped in the waite
and provisions they did"
mo, by Josh, they wouldn't, bu
g how do they come to be afoat?"
g Dunno, but there's a mystery abOC
it. There's the hull crew except tn
captain. How did he come to be LEI
behind? And didn't you notice no
? the men looked the brig over and keI
dodgin' and whisperin'? I'm believil
! we shall have trouble with zen
Elisha"
! "But they can't be pirates"
Probably not"
"And there's no war between Us"
''No, but we can't make out the
= story. and | do believe that mate W;
lyin' all the time. / wish he hadn
4 shown a light and brought the
a aboard"
The Dutchmen we're tired with the
pull at the oars and slept soundly t
the morning watch Of the Mary Al
= was ready to wash down decks. Tit
# they rose up, yawning and stretchin
and the last was hardly on his fe
d before the breeze came. Sail was ma
at once, and as the Mary Ann laid h
course Capt. HopeweIl called the co,
aft to see about preparing breakfa
st for the extra men.
e. He had his eye on the strangers
ig the same time and noted that they II
re gathered in a bunch and were whispC
ed ing together. Their yawl was a
rs and clumsy boat, provided with os
It's and sail, and as there was nc roo
ha on the deck Of the brig to stow it I
captain went forward and tried
MS make the Dutch mate understand IL
ur the contents should be hoisted aboa
and the yawl sent adrift.
ell He made himself clear enough, |
ed as If his words and gestures had be
sss a signal the IL Dutchmen at OF
sprang upon the crew Of the Mary al
I'd all Of whom were on deck. They W.
as stout, determined men, and the me
en- was so sudden that NJ resistance v
made.
I'd Nancy heard the scuiHe and appea!
en- on deck to. find Capt. Elisha and
his men prisoners. They we're pl
ut, oners, and yet they were not bou
ne When they made no struggle,
Dutch mate took of his cap to Nal
ne and sought to make it clear to
others that they were to be sent adj
in the yawl.
TWall, dye understand what l
drivin' at?" asked Capt. Elisha as
turned to Nancy.
oI do Elisha" she replied, "and
not a bit surprised. They mean
turn us adrift, and go sailing az
with the Srig."
"a 'But, by Josh, how can they do
It's the same as piracy! Men. !
maka a dgbt fur fiji"