Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1904-01-02

|
the deeps. The wind sang in the tor
hamper. The white water, shot will
sparks, piled up in front Of her, bub
bled and played around her fore foot
and rolled away on either side ir
broad sheets Of foamy phosphores
cence. The yellow lights Of the battle
lanterns streamed through her open
ports. A drum was grimly rolling the
call to battle on her decks. Dark
forms passed to and fro. Men leaped
hither and thither in casting loose the
double row of great black guns. Some
times a vivid flash in the moonlight
proclaimed a drawn sword. Presently
the cries and orders died away. The
men settled down at their stations.
Silently the huge fabric, splendid
example of that power which for twice
two hundred years had ruled the seas,
swept toward them. O'Neill watched
her in generous admiration.
"A fit antagonist even for our great
captain" he cried. all his enthusiasm
aroused by the ship, land nobly han
died." he added. "Mark the discipline
See the orderv'
AYE. sir, that III be hard one to
take, but we'll take her. never fear!'
said the old seaman. sharing his Off
GERS ungrudging appreciation Of their
gallant foe.
How can you speak SOP said the
girl. ITO me she is nothing but a
prison. menace, horrorv'
"You are a woman, dearest I hope
to be on the old Richard before long,
and I feel from such a ship as that
there is much honor to be gained"
''And death, soo," she answered,
shuddering.
1T may be. Death and honor often
60 hand in hand" he replied gravely.
But she nears us. You must lie down
until she passes"
1t was a new thing for her to be
commanded. She found it altogether
sweet experimentation. Later it
might be another matter. So. though
protesting because she was woman
and had present eye to the future,
Elizabeth dutifully obeyed her lord
and lay down in the boat. resting her
head against his foot. AS they drew
toward the mouth Of the harbor the
wind came stronger. The little boat
fairly roared through the white cap
ped waves. She heeled over until the
water tricSled in on the lee side, but
O'Neill resolutely and skillfully held
her up to it. He could not afford to
lose an inch of distance to leeward.
for the water Swallowed rapidly in
that direction and abounded in rocks
as we'll. The Scraps was alongside
now. They had not yet been observed.
The attention of the men on the frig-
ate was fixed upon the approaching
ships to the southeast, now plainly
visible. O'Neill fairly held his breath
as he congratulated himself that they
were to be passed by unnoticed. Sud
denly sharp cry rang out just as the
Scraps drew ahead.
"Sail ho! Boat ahoy, there!'' For a
moment the small boat lay right in the
path of light cast by the brilliantly
Illuminated stern ports of the frigate.
"'Tis the prisoner, he that escapedr'
shouted powerful voice
"Sentry, give him a shot from your
piece" cried Captain Pearson himself.
springing on the rail and leaning over
toward them. Old Price shook his fist
at the frigate in stout defiance The
sharp crack of musket rang out An
the air. The bullet seemed to have
struck something forward in the boat.
A shudder swept through the little
craft. hoarse frightful cry quivered
through the night, there was a splash,
the boat struck something, and that
something, whatever it was. rasped
along her keel as she drove ahead
"Clear away the second cutterv'
cried another voice on the frigate.
"Keep all fastv shouted Pearson.
1--WE have bigger game tonight" And
then he followed his hand and cried out
as the Scraps drew rapidly away:
well take care of you: sir, in the
morning. when we return!" A few
more musket shots were fired at them
from different parts of the ship. One
bullet tore through the sail and whis-
tled hX the ear OF the. young lieu
tenant. but did no harm
a'sWe are saved again. cried Eliza
beth. sitting up and looking gratefully
at her lover.
"But not without COST" said the
young man solemnly.
"What mean you? Are you hurt?
Are you wounded?" she cried
"Pricew called O'Neill softly, though
he knew it was useless. There, was
no answer
"Oh, that awful cryw said Eliza
beth, shuddering
cit was he," added O'Neill gravely.
"He was hit by the first shot and went
overheard. Did you not feel him strike
the keel?'
SIS there no hope for him" she
queEied anxiously. '"Could we not put
back and seek hin? a &
None" replied the lieutenant short
~. "There was death in his voice. It's
all over with him. Well, he died in
the line Of his duty. "Tis sailors
cherished hone"