The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-03-15
CHAPTER VII.

VII.
AFTER A LONG TINE.
7~1HERE are only two men-of.
war In the whole lot"
- fright. yer honor. That
un near the shore there
away looks like q big frigate. That II
BE- the Scraps. I'm ~thinkin'."
"Yes. and that one farther out the
scarborough"
AYE. aye, sir. an ell the rest ON 'em
b merchantmen. There amt a gun on
board any on 'em. Nice pickin's them
II be fer ~ poor sailor men arter we
dispose Of them war vessels. Dash ny
wig. jist think Of them fat traders an
we a.rummagin' among EN-
''That will do. Price. Just moderate
your transports a little" said the OH
Ger. stepping forward to the brow OF
the hill and taking another long look at
the harbor.
II amt no transport" muttered the
garruious old man under his breath.
II won't carry no soldiers nowhere.
I'm q 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. IL think
we have ascertained about all We have
come for. They are the Baltic convoy
without doubt. and you would better
make q straight course for the ship ~
once and report"
AN you. sir7' asked the old man ~
sp%ectfully. won't you come along.
sir1 hate to cut cable an leave you
here adrift alone. yer honor"
"No." answered the officer. after a
reflective pause. II think I shall RY
up to that castle on the blum beyond
and ind out o little mor definitely ~
to the situation. II possible. Mean.
while do you get on your horse and
ride back to Bridlington bay. TO
aboard the Alert and tell Mr.. Lunt,
from me. to Join the Richard to the
eouthward at once. and notify Captain
Jones OF what we have seen. Tell him
I think II will be perfectly safe Tor him
to come on. There Ii . great 6eet Of
merchant ships here with only two
ships Of war. He will rejoice at tho
chance Of a fair tight. will find
mean to join him at the rendezvous
before the rest Of the ships can assem-
BILE and they can get under way. Now
bear a 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
sg'in?" said old Price ~ruefully.
That's what you have to do. my
hd." remarked the officer cheerfully.
Seems like somethin's wrong with
him." said the old sailor. "A animal
wot steers by the head ID contrary-like
70 natur. Now II could only git him
to 60 about on t'other tack. or wear
him. by shiftin' his tail. ia understand
him perfectly: but this we're tiller rope
riggin' owe his bows IL wot gifts me-.
An. sir. I can't make out with them
ere stirrups nuther; it's like hangin'
on to the yardarm In 4 tossin' sea
without M footropes. Howsomever,
II I must. I must, I guess"
"Oh. you won't mind It," replied the
officer. laughing at the old mans
ful 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
soo make the harbor."
~ never thought about the wind"
said the veteran gunner thoughtfully.
his face Frightening a. he turned and
listened for It. Yer honor's right.
Twill Be plain sailin'. Well, sir. M
chor.s aweigh, an here goesr'
The old seaman. giving great evi.
dence Of his ~disinciination 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 a pull OF the tail.
got under way and iurched rapidly
down the road. Left 10 himself. the
lieutenant mounted his W horse
surprising to state, for a sailor he was
an excellent hoSeman-and rode down
toward the sleeping town nestled
around Scarborough harbor. which
was nlled with Z large feet Of mer.
chant ships conveyed BY W o men OF
war. all riding quietly at their anchors.
Opposite the ACTIVITY on which the
two men had stood and to the north
Of the town rose a bold. splendid head
land. or scar. almost an Island, to the
height Of about 400 feet. The rugged
crest was crowned by a picturesque
old castle. The headland jutted boldly
out into the sea. and the wild waters
dashed upon its walls from every side.
Access to the castle from the town
was by NEAR Of q causeway and
bridge spriAgtng over . rocky and
otherwise impossible connection be-
tween the elf and the mainland,
which was sometimes flooded at high
tide.
Portions Of the castle were In bad
repair or had been dismantled In the
several wars In which II had played .