Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1904-08-20
CHAPTER v.

rs the sun arose. the men were gath.
cred about the quarter deck, Whiting
for tho appearance Of the young surgeon.
for they were anxious to hear of the
gunner. Ere long Paul came up, nnl he
informed the men that he believed Hen
to be out Of danger. but that Il would
lie some time before he could return 10
his duty; and ut the same time he re-.
Qiested them to make rs little noise MS
possible about the deck.
-Four days passed away, and the gun
ner was no easier. though Paul felt sure
that. II no accident happened. the result
would not be fatal. On the following
morning the coast Of japan was In sight
upon the starbOard bow, and to take nd
vantage OF a current the brig was kept
pretty close In to the shore.
Near midway OF the southern coast
Of the island OF Yuku there " a long,
high cape. or promOntory, making out
into the zen a distance Of some ten
miles. At d o'clock a. M. this cape was
upon the lee how. and not more than
fou. miles distant; and ut that time
the wind came to II lull. and then chop.
ped AROUND to the northward. coming OIL
shore. As the briggs course now lay
she would pass within two furlongs OF
the cape. but l.ar0on knew the channel
well. and he was not afraid Of the shore,
At half-past o the wind was steady once
more. and the brig now had her gtar.
board tack aboard. and In fifteen min.
utes more the headland Of the cape was
directly under the weather bow, and no,
two cables lengths distant
''Snil hO!" at this moment cnn,e from
the foretop. In tones that made every
man start.
And now they could all see tho fore
and main royals OF Il ship looming up
over the promontOry.
"Up with the helm" shouted tho nj.
rate captain; Jump to the braces-cas,
of to leeward--round the weather
braces"
In few moments the briggs head was
70 the southwest, and by the time the
braces were Delayed she had cleared the
cape: and there. just under the western
blun. and not II quarter Of a mile dis
tant, was n Russian corvette under full
sail, with her yards nearly square.
"To the guns, every man" ordered
I.nroon. much eXcited-''every man who
belongs there. and the rest of you get
up the small arms. Load every pistol
and carbine, and each man secure S
cutlass! I.oad--quick!"
The briggs crew sprang to the work
with will, each man knowing just what
to do. Two of the port guns were run
aft and secured to the after ports, and
just as the breeding of the last gun
was dashed. there came a shot from the
enemy's bow. The ball whizzed over the
starl Gard pumpkin, and did no damage
"Now give 'em shot In return," cried
I.ar0On.
Accordingly one of the stern guns "
fired. but without effect. Next came an
other shot from the corvette. which
struck In the water some twenty yards
from the briggs starboard beam.
During this exciting prelude poor Der
Marion had been In a state OF intense
excitement. At the first mention OF the
man-of-war he had leaped rom III,
bunk, and It was with the utmost din
Guilty that Paul could get him bach
again.
II must go on deck"' the old mar
cried.
"Well. let's see you 60" returned tn,
surgeon.
Help me up-help me up! gaspet
Ben, who found himself totally unable
to rise to his feet.
"But what's the user You coul,in'
stand II you should get up there"
Ces some time the old gunner ravet