The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-11-23
D'ri and |
By IRVING BACHELLER
Author Of "Eben Holden" "Dsrrel Of
the Blessed Isles" Etc.
scspTr.sa,, 1901, By r.o,hIop Publishing Company.
cHAPTER Xvm.-CoNrIxUEp.


We we're ali crying, we poor devils
that we're left behind. One, a mere
boy, stood near me swinging his hat
above his head, cheering. Hat and
hand fell to the deck as turned 20
him. He was Keeling, when D'ri caught
MIN quickly with his good arm and
bore him TO the cockpit.
The little boat was barely a length
OF when heavy shot fell splashing
In her wake. Soon they were dropping
all around her. One crossed her bow.
ripping a long furrow in the sea. A
chip few on her stern; a lift OF splin-
tiers from an oar scattered behind her.
Pluuging missiles marked her course
with a plat of foam, but she rode on
5ravely. We saw her CROPPING under the
smoke clouds; We saw her nearing the
other brig, and were all on tiptoe.
The air cleared a little, and we could
see them ship cars and go up the side.
Then We set our blood dripping with
cheers again, We who were wounded
on the deck of the Lawrence. Lieut.
YarneIl ordered her one flag down. AS
II sank fiuttering. we groaned. Our dis
may went quickly from man to man.
Presently we could hear the cries Of
the wounded there below. A man came
staggering out OF the cockpit, and fell
TO his hands and knees. creeping
toward us and protesting iercely, the
blood dripping from his mouth be-
tween curses.
Another shot would sink her"
Yarnell shouted.
"Let 'er sink, d--n err" said D'ri.
wish t God c'ud put my foot
through 'eg bottom. When the nag
goes down wan Z go tew."
The British turned their guns; we
were no longer in the smoky paths Of
laundering canister. The Niagara was
now under ERE. We could see the dogs
OF war rushing at her in leashes Of
flame and smoke. Our little gunboats,
urged by oar and sweep, were fastening
20 the battle front. We could see their
men, waist-high above the bulwarks,
firing as they came. The Detroit and
the Queen Charlotte, two heavy briggs
OF the British line, had run afoul Of
each other. The Niagara, signalling
for close action, bore down upon them.
Crossing the bow Of one ship and the
stern OF the other. she raked them
with broadsides. We saw braces fiy
and masts fall in the volley. The
Niagara sheered OFF, pouring shoals OF
metal on q British schooner, stripping
her bare. Our little boats had come
up, and were boring into the brigs-
In a brief )time-it was then near
three o'clock-a white flag. at the end
of a boarding-pike. futtered over a
British deck. D'ri, who had been SIT
ting awhile. was now UP and cheering
as he waved his crownless hat. He had
tent his flag, and, in the furry, some
one dropped 1t overheard. D'ri saw
IL fall, and before VIC could stop him
no had Ieaped into the sea. hastened
90 his help, tossing a ropes end as
he came up, swimming with one arm
the flag in his teeth. ! towed him 10
the landing-stair and helped him
oyer Leaning on my shoulder, nc
shook out Che altered flag, It's white
laced with his own blood
Ready T. jump in he'll fer thet oil
rag any day said ile, as we all cheered
him.
Each grabbed a latter Of the good
flag, pressing hard upon Dr.. and put
It 10 his lips and kissed T. proudly,