Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1905-12-02


stepped up on the quarter deck again
II want the frigate to pass as close to
windward of that Spanish ship as you
can bring her without touching. Let
her not suspect our desire, but whirl
into her as we get abreast. Don't fall
foul Of her as you value your lifev'
AYE, aye, sir" answered that vet
eran, squirting forward along the lib
boom with his one eye as IL measuring
the distance, "I'll bring her close
enough for you to leap aboard and yet
never touch rope yarn on her."
He spoke with the consciousness and
pride Of his SKILL
"Now, lads" cried Morgan, shave cv-
erything ready, and when give the
word pour it in on yonder ship. want
to settle her with one broadside Stand
by for the word: Now lie down, all,
behind the bulwarks and rails. We
must not arouse suspicion"
The two ships, the Mary Rose going
free, the Spanish frigate close hauled
on the port tack, were now within hail
ing distance. AS they approached each
other the buccaneer could see that the
other ship was crowded with men.
| Among her people the fash Of sun
| light upon iron helms denoted that she
carried company Of soldiers. The
Spaniards were entirely unsuspecting.
The men had not gone to their quar-
tiers, the guns were still secured in
short, save for the military rappings
of the soldiers on board and the tam
pioned muzzles Of her cannon she was
in appearance as peaceful vessel as
J sailed the seas.
The two ships were near enough
now to make conversation possible,
and the Mary Rose was hailed by a
tall, richly dressed officer in glistening
breastplate and polished steel cap
standing on the forecastle Of the other
ship.
what ship is that?" he cried in bro
ken English.
''This is the frigate Mary Rose" The
| usual answer to such a hail would
have been, 'This is his Britannia maj
esty's frigate Mary Rose" but the
Spaniards suspected nothing as Nor
gan continued, carrying Sir Henry
Morgan, some time vice governor Of
the island Of Jamaica"
II have the honor to wish the vice
governor very good morning" an
swered the Spaniard, courteously wav-
ing his hand in salutation.
"Now, Hornigold; now!" said Morgan
in a fierce whisper
The old boatswain sprang himself to
the Wheel With his powerful hands
he revolved it quickly until it was hard
up. The frigate answered it instantly.
She swung away toward the Spaniard
to leeward Of her with a suddenneSs
that surprised even her steersman.
"And l salute the vice governor"
continued the Spanish captain just as
the English ship swept down upon him,
and then he cried in sudden alarm and
excitement:
"Have a care, senior! What mean
you? You will be aboard Of us! Hard
up with the helmv'
AS soon as the Mary Rose had begun
to fall off-aye, even before her motion
had been ceptible-Hornigold had
reversed LQe nelm.
Flow the head sheets there" he
cried, showing the wheel over spoke by
spoke with all the force of his arms.
"Flatten in aft little, here! Steady!
We're right abreast now, captain" he
said
Almost as quickly as she had fallen
off the nimble frigate, beautifully
handled, came to the wind again. She
was now almost in touch with the 9TH
er ship. Hornigold's seamanship and
skill had been magnificent. He had
done all that was asked Of him and
all that he had promised.
aye, aye" answered Morgan in tri-
umphant commentator. Handsome
" done. could leap aboard!'
The Spanish ship was filed with con-
fusion. The captain, with his face
black with rage, stood on the fore
castle shaking his fist.
''This is outrageous, STRIP he shouted.
'sYou have nearly run us down! What
do you want?"
Il want to return your salute" an
swered Morgan suavely. "Up, lads!'
he cried. AS the men sprang to their
feet he roared out fercely: "Stand by!
Fire! Pour it into themv'
The Mary Rose was almost in con-
tact with the Spanish ship when per-
feet tornado Of fire burst from her
side. Every gun in her broadside, and
she was forty eight gun frigate, was
discharged point blank at the astonish-
ed enemy. Not waiting to reload the
guns, the crew seized the small arms
ready charged to hand and as they
slowly swept by poured a whitening
fire upon the Spaniard's crowded decks.
Out Of the flame and smoke the Mary
Rose burst upon the astonished eyes
of the officers and men of the two re-
naming ships. The first frigate was a
wreck on the water Some of the pirate
guns had been depressed, great holes
Show Ike you our salutep
E8yh