Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-08-30
CHAPTER v.

AS the sun arose, the men were gath
cred about the quarter deck. waiting
for the appearance Of the young surgeon,
for they were anxious TO hear of the
gunner. Ere long Paul came up, and he
informed the men that he believed Ben
10 be out OF danger, but that it would
he some time before he could return TO
his duty; and at the same time he re-
quested them to make as little noise as
possible about the deck.
-Four days passed away, and the gun
ner was no easier. though Paul felt sure
that, if 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 ad-
vantage of a current the brig was kept
pretty close in to the shore.
Near midway OF the southern coast
of the island of Yaku there is :. long
high cape. or promontory, making out
into the sea a distance of some ten
miles At o'clock a. m. this cape was
upon the Ice bow, and not more than
fou= miles distant; and at that time
the wind came to a lull, and then chop
ped around to the northward. coming off
shore. As the briggs course now lay
the cape, but Laroon knew the channel
WELL and he was not afraid of the shore.
At half-past the wind was steady once
more. and the brig now had her star
board tack aboard, and in fifteen min
utes more the headland of the cape was
directly under the weather bow, and not
two caoles' lengths distant.
sail ho!" at this moment came from
81 p
man start.
And now they could all see the fore
and main royals of ship looming up
over the promontory.
up with the helm!" shouted the ri
rate captain; Jump to the braces-cas.
off to leeward-round the weather
braces
In a few moments the briggs head was
to the southwest. and by the time the
braces were Delayed she had cleared the
cape; and there, just under the western
bluff. and not quarter of mile dis
tant. was a Russian corvette under full
sail, with her yards nearly square.
ITO the guns, every man. ordered
Laroon, much excited-''every man who
belongs there, and the rest of you get
up the small arms. Load every pistol
aud csrhine, and eacl, man secure 5
eutlass, Load-quickr
The briggs crew sprGng TO the work
with a will. each man knowing just what
Il do. Two OF the port guns were run
aft and secured 10 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
startoard pumpkin. and did no damage.
Now give EN- q shot in return" cried
La7oon.
Accordingly one Of the stern guns was
fred. 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 Ben
Marion had been in a state OF intense
excitement. At the hrst mention OF the
rnsn-of-war he had leaped rom MS
bunk. and it was with the utmost diff
Guilty that Paul could set him back
again.
Il must so on deck the old man
cried.
"Wef. let's see you 60" returned the
surgeon.
Help me np-help me up" gasped
Ben, who found himself totally unable
10 rise TO his feet.
But what's the usea You conlin't
stand II you should get up there"
Fo= some time the old gunner ravel
and prayed by turns. but at length Pau
managed TO convince him that it would
be OF no use. and he allowed himself &c
be lifted back into his berth.
At length there came a shot from the
corvette which struck the brig upon the
stern rail. and killed two men who TODD
by one OF the guns. AT this sigh the
pirates were frenzied. and they begged
as one msn TO be laid alongside the foe
Mr.. Storms had been aloft with l..
glass. and he reported that the cor-stt'
carried twenty guns. II was soon ev.
6ent. also. that the ship was the hes
ssiler in the wind SIS it was now at my
rate: though probably the brig woult
have sailed faster on 4 tsut bovine.
The pirate kept his stern guns going
and be did some damage to the corvette