Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-07-09
DAILY SHORT STORY
A ThunderboIt at Sea.
Copyright. 1904. by C. B. Lewis.l


Australian packets, was lying becalm-
ed of the African coast to the south
of St Helena, and three miles away
was a rakish brig. also without move
ment. The brig had crept out from the
coast during the night under the infiu
ence of airs too light to flare a candle.
As was afterward known. she was
Spanish rover called the Celeste.
The Kangaroo would not have been
put in a state of defense but for the
passengers. Many of them became
nervous attthe sight of the brig. and TO
quiet them ,and at the same time eXer-
else the crew the guns were cast loose,
small armsGserved out, and the peaceful
packet was turned into a man-of-war.
There was n providence in it. When
the stranger saw that he was suspect
ed he threw off all disguise. OF sud
den his decks were alive with men run
ming about, and later on four boats
were lowered and filled with armed
men. They were coming TO attack the
kangaroo. They must have known
that she was armed and had a strong
crew aboard but the pirates of old
were men to take long chances. When
the boats left the briggs side we count
ed fifty-two men in all, and 1t seemed
as If us many more were left behind.
The black flag was hoiSted, and there
could no longer be question as to the
sort of men we had to deal with.
The passengers of the kangaroo to
a man volunteered to assist the crew,
and we were presently prepared to
give Il good, account of ourselves. We
could note long before the pirates
reached us that they comprised several
natiOnalities and that they We're des-
perate lot. The boats divided as they
came on, and when within a mile of us
the fellows began cheering.
Our first shot was from one of the
big guns and could not have been bet
tered. 1t struck one of the boats fair
on the stem and split her open full
length, and of those not killed outright
only two or three were picked up. The
disaster only made the raScals the
more desperate. Raising a yell. the
three remaining boats dashed at us
and We're soon so close that the big
guns were of no further use.
We met them with bullets and buck
shot, and we hove cold shot into their
boats as they hooked on, and no gang
OF pirates ever got harder drubbing
Although we lost two men killed and
several wounded, not an enemy got
aboard, and only two boats and eight
cen men returned to the brig.
That night the damaged spars were
replaced, shot holes plugged up, and
there wHs no reason why we should
not safely make the Cape.
When daylight came we congratu-
lated each other over our victory. and
the captain had just decided to make
a sort OF holiday in honor of the event
when thunderstorm came racing up
behind us. and in the midst of the
black cloNd was the pirate brig. In
stead of sailing away in search of q
haven or other prey when she had re-
paired damages she had picked up our
trail and was going to give us another
brush.
Such grim persistency at first brought
a feeling OF fright. but this soon gave
place To one of grim determination to
fight her to the death and show her no
mercy. When we had her crippled the
night before we could have destroyed
her. but Captain Wilson simply sailed
away. He now promised the crew to
sink her If he could. and there was
cheering as the men went to the guns.
Down came the black cloud, and with
II down came the pirate. with his black
flag flying. and as he ranged up on our
port quarter at half rifle shot he
opened fire. His first shot struck a gun
and killed three men. and his second
wounded five men. Then the storm
broke, the sea increased, and, although
the firing continued, no great damage
was done on either side.
Daylight was turned into evening
by the storm. There was heavy rain.
with gusts of wind and the keenest of
lightning and the loudest of thunder.
Our decks were ankle deep, but every
man stood to his gun and continued to |
fight. AS the darkness increased the |
brig crept closer TO us, and during the |
last ten minutes of the fight one could !
have heaved a stone aboard of her.
One saw her in the play of the light |
ming and for an instant could almost |
look into the eyes of the men aboard. |
and then for n few seconds she would |
be lost in the darkness. So terrific |
and continuous was the roll OF thun- |
der that the reports of the guns were |
You felt the conclusion along |
the deck, but the report was lost In the |
war of the elements.
Loading and firing every gun which |
would bear as fast as possible, the |
Kangaroo rushed forward on her |
course and, hanging to her quarter like /
a bulldog 10 his prey, followed the /
great crash aloft, and down came fore /
and main topmasts together. The men |
We're called from the guns to clear the /
wreckage and the ship was in danger /
OF broaching TO and being swept when /
there came such a flash OF lightning as
seemed TO burn the eyeballs. This |
was followed by a thunderclap which .
seemed TO lift the ship out OF the wa
ter. and then fifty pairs OF eyes saw a
great spout OF fame shoot up out Of the