Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-08-10
order given by Blackboard. They

order given by Blackboard. They
rowed to the position assigned them
and sat quietly looking into the mouths
OF the two cannon which were pointed
towards them.
"Now then," said Blackboard, turn
ing to Bittern, II think they'll stay
there till they get some other order"
Between frequent sips at the cup Of
brandy Bittern told the story of the
Revenge, and Blackboard listened with
many an oath and many a pound upon
his massive knee by his mighty fist.
"Oh, have heard of him." he cried,
II have heard of him! He has played
the devil along the Atlantic coast. He
must be great fellow this-what did
you say his name was?"
Bonnet" said the other.
Blackboard laughed. THAT suits
him we'll; he must have clapped his
name over the eyes of many a mer-
chant captain! Where did he sail be-
fore he hoisted the Jolly Roger?"
At this Bittern laughed. "He never
sailed anywhere, he is no seaman; and
if he were not rich enough to pay 9TH
ers to do his navigatin' for him he
would have run his vessel upon the
first sand-bar on his way from Bridge
town to the sea. But he pays some
good mariner to sail his Revenge, and
he now pays me. I am, in fact, the
captain of his vessel"
"You mean," cried Blackboard, "that
he knows nothing of navigation?"
"Not whit" replied the other; che
doesn't know the backstays from the
tahrail. 1t was only yesterday that he
thought he was already in the port OF
Belize, and dressed himself up like a
fighting-cock to meet you"
ITO meet me?" roared Blackboard;
what does he want to meet me for, and
why don't he come and do it instead OF
sending you?"
mot he," said Bittern. HE is great
man, if not sailor; he knows what is
politeness on shipboard, and as he il
the last conner you must be the first
caller. He is all dressed up now, hop.
ing that you will row over to the Re-
venge as soon as you know that he is it's
commander"
The hairy pirate leaned back and
laughed in loud explosions.
He is rare man, truly" he ex-
claimed, this Capt. Nightcap OF
yours
Bonnet" interrupted Bittern.
well, one is as good as the other
cried Blackboard, land he be well
clothed If it be of the right color. And
you started out with him to sail his ship
you rascal: That's piece of impu-
dence almost as great as his own"
Bittern did not much like this speech
and wanted to explain that since he had
served under Blackboard he had com.
manded vessels himself but he re.
strained himself and told how Sam
LOTUS had been tumbled overheard fol
running afoul his captain, and how he
had been appointed to his place.
Now Blackboard laughed again, with
a great pound upon his knee He is
man after my own heart" he shouted
"be he sailor or no sailor, this nightcar
| commander of yours. I know l shall
love him!" And springing to his feet
and uttering a resounding oath, he
swore that he would visit his new
brother that afternoon.
"Now, away with you!" cried Black.
beard, "and tell Sir Nightcap-"
Bonnet" interrupted Bittern.
well, Bonnet or Cap, it matters no,
to me. Row straight back to your ship
and let him know that l shall expect te
be received with admiral's honors."
Bittern looked somewhat embarrassed
"But, captain" he said, my men are on
their way to the town, and I fear me-
they will rebel If tell them they cannot
go there"
In saying this the sailing maste,
spoke not only for his men, but for him.
self. He was very anxious to go ashore:
he had business there; he wanted to SCI
who were in the place, and what was go.
ing on before Bonnet should go to tn,
town.
what" cried Blackboard, putting his
head down like charging bull. Il or
der you to row back to your vessel and
take my message; and if you do it not
will sink you all in a bunch! Into yoi,
boat, sir, and waste not another minute
II you are not able to command your
men, I will keep you here and give then
coxswain who can"
Without another word, Bittern scuf,
fled over the side, and, his boat being
brought up, he dropped into it.
Nov, men," he said, II have a mes
sage from Capt. Blackboard to the Re.
venge; bend to it as steer that way"
Give my pious regards to your 81,
Nightcap," shouted Blackboard.