Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-05-16

ropes and tearing hole In the lower
| part Of our main topsail. The skipper
had turned deadly pale and leaned
| heavily against the rail, but as he saw
her coming up for third shot be
| gasped out the words:
| Put her about, Menzies! insist up
| on it! Put her about, sayw
| ma, ma, captain. Pit her ABBOTT yer
sell. gin ye want her sunk" was the
cool reply. "Ah dinna mind fecht,
but it's nae part O. ma duty tae throw
the ship ava because ye're frightened"
This open defiance seemed to arouse
the skipper as perhaps nothing else
would have done, for he made quick
step forward at the very moment our
pursuer fired her third shot. 1t was
better aimed than the others and struck
the rail close behind him, shattering it
to a hundred pieces, one Of which
struck the captain in the head as he
was In the very act Of ordering the
mate below. He fell without a cry, and
Menzies bent over him for an instant.
Then he Strengthened himself and look
ed around. had sprung up the steps
to help with the skipper, but he quietly
waved me back.
"Ye medina mind him the moo" he
said. Hes faur beyant help, Am
thinkin'." Then he stood as II in deep
thought for half minute. his eyes TAX
ing in first the Crusader and then the
two schooners. At last he turned
sharply to the steersnan and gave him
wind. Both the second mate and !
stared at him silently, too much SUR
prised to ask any questions. even IL
the expression Of his face hadn't for.
hidden it But in fact he seemed diff
ferent man from the moment when the
fall Of the skipper had placed him In
command. His rough manner had be-
come masterful decision. Even the
angular lines Of his face and figure had
developed new force and rough Dig
nifty that were impressive. Two or
three quick, peremptory orders to the
crew followed that to the man at the
wheel, and before could understand
what was being done he had brought
her head to the wind and laid her to.
Good heavens. Was he going to SUI
render without an effort?
It seemed so, and the question broke
from my lips as stared in astonish.
ment across the wounded body Of the
skipper. whose suggestion he had treat
ed so contemporary not ten minutes
before
INA, ma, SIR" he answered grimIy:
GAIL no be sayin' that a'tegither, but
Am thinkin' there's naething to be got
by gettin' blawn tae bits. Please the
Lord, we'll haze bit fecht fort yet.
Next moment he ordered two Of tho
men to carry the captain below. There
was something even more cool and des
liberate than usual in his way Of speak
ing. which certainly had an effect on
the sailors, who when the firing drst
began seemed inclined to become de-
moralized. Now his clear, hard tones
seemed to act on the men like tonic.
and they sprang to carry out each OF.
der as it was given in way that show
ed renewed confidence both in their
commander and themselves. They lift
ed the shippers body from the deck
and proceeded to carry it below.
Menzies turned to the second mate.
'Ye'll see him pit dacently IN his
berth, Mr.. Jarvis. but yen no be losin'
time ABBOTT it. All be wantin' re herr
the moo" he said.
Perhaps Menzies' action In lying to
had surprised our pursuers, too, for
the schooner wasted no more shot upon
us, but, fattening the sails against the
mast once more, headed for us directly.
Menzies eyed her for second or two
with hard, cynical look on his face
as he noticed that so far his tactics had
resulted as he had expected. Then he
turned away with q sound that was
almost like a chuckle, remarking Tor
my benefit:
"Weel, Am thfnkin' it's efter sum
doom, anyway, sac It III no be unbe
COMM tae haul doom that bit ensign.
If the Lord pleases, 1t may cen gle
the deevils a. the MAR confidence.
He called sailor and gave the order,
which was instantly obeyed, and then.
casting another look at the schooner,
which looked gray in the fading light
he descended to the main deck with
the same heavy. deliberate step he
would have used In walking the deck
In calm.
(To Be Continually
S