Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-09-07

have preferred you to meet me in my
naval uniform, but as that is now, to
say thu least, inconvenient, and al I
reside On shore In the capacity of q
merchant or business man, attire N.Y.
self to auit my present condition. All!
my good brother-in-law, I am glad to
see you. may remark" he added,
graciously shaking hands with Dame
Charter, that I left my faithful
Scotchman in our storehouse in the
town, it being necessary for some one
to attend to our possessions there.
Otherwise should have brought him
with me, my good Dame Charter, for
I am sure you would have found his
company acceptable. He is a faithful
man and an honest one, although am
bound to say that If he were less of a
Presbyterian and more of a man OF
the world his conversation might some
times be more agreeable
After time Maj. Bonnet proposed >
row upon the harbor-he had brought
large boat, with four oarsmen, Tor
this purpose. Mr.. Delaplaine objected
a little to this, fearing the presence Of
SO many pirate vessels, but Bonnet
loftily set aside such puerile objec-
lions.
Il am the business representative Of
the great Blackboard" he said, "the
most powerful pirate in the world. You
are safer here than in any other port
on the American coast"
When they were out upon the wa
ter. moving against the gentle breeze.
Bonnet disclosed the object of his ex.
cursion. Il am going to take you,"
said he, Ito visit some of the noted
pirate ships which are anchored in this
harbor. There are vessels here which
are quite famous, and commanded by
renowned Brethren of the Coast.
think you will all be greatly interested
In these, and under my convoy you
need fear no danger"
Dame Charter and Kate screamed in
their fright, and Mr.. Delaplaine turned
pale. Visit pirate ships!" he cried.
Rather I would have supposed that
you would keep away from them as far
as you could. For myself, l would
have them a hundred miles distant II
it were possible"
Bonnet laughed loftlly. 1T will be
visits of ceremony that we shall pay,
and with all due ceremony shall we be
received. Pull out to that. vessel" he
said to the oarsmen. Then, turning to
the others, he remarked: '"Chat sloop
is the Dripping Blade, commanded by
Capt Sorby, whose name strikes terror
throughout the Spanish Main. Ay! and
in other parts of the ocean, can as
sure you, for he has sailed northward
nearly as far as have, but he has not
yet rivaled me. I know him, having
done business with him on shore. He
is a most portentous person, as you
will soon see.''
"Oh, father!" cried Kate, don't take
us there; it will kill us just to look
upon such dreadful pirates. I pray
you turn the boat"
ooh! If Dickory were here" gasped
Dame Charter, "he would turn the boat
himself; he would never allow me to
be taken among those awful wretches."
Mr.. Delaplaine said nothing. It waa
too late to expostulate, but he trem-
bled as he sat.
II cannot turn back, my DEAR" said
Bonnet, "even if would, for the grea.
Sorby is now, on deck, and looking at
us as we approach"
AS the boat drew up by the side OF
the Dripping Blade the renowned Sor-
by looked down over the side. He was
a red-headed man; his long hair and
beard dyed yellow in some places by
the sun. He was grievous to look up
on, and like to create in the mind OF
an imaginative person the image of a
sun-burned devil on a holiday.
"Good-day to you! Good-day, Sir
Bonnet" cried the pirate captain:
"come on board, come on board, all Of
you, wife, daughter, father, If such
they be! Well let down ladder and
shall feast you finely"
NAY, nay, good Capt. Sorby," 70
piled Bonnet, with courteous dignity,
my family and I have just stopped to
pay you our respects. They have all
heard of your great prowess, for 1 have
told them. They may never have a
chance again to look upon another OF
your fame"
Heaven grant it," said Dame Char.
ter in her heart. If get out of this
I stay upon dry land forever
Every pirate face on board that ILL
conditioned sloop now glared over her
rail, their eyes fixed upon the goodly
company in the little boat, their horrid
hair and boards stained and matted
it would have been hard to tell BY
what.
"Oh, father, father!" painted Kate,
please row away. What If they should
now jump down upon us?"
"Good-day, good-day, my brave
Capt. sorby," said Bonnet, I've must
cen row away; we have other craft to
visit, but would first do honor to you
and your bold crew."
Capt. Sorby lifted high his great be-
spattered hat, and every grinniqg de-
mon of the crew waved hat or rag or
pail or cutlass and set up a discordant
yell in honor of their departing visit
0rs.
"Oh! 60 not to another, father"
pleaded Kate, her pale face in tears:
visit no more Of them, pray you!"
"Ay. truly, keep away from Them"
said Mr.. Delaplaine. II am no coward,
but I vow to. you that I shall die OF
fright If come close to another OF
thosa floating ho11a"