Amador ledger., 1905-12-01


closed until the captain gave. the
order to raise them, when they were
to be opened as quickly as, possible,
and the logs thrust out about,a foot.
A platform was then made On the
top of the long gboat, which was hxed
between the fore and main masts,
and the carronade, or fourteen
FOUNDER, was hoisted up. These
things being arranged, the captain
went below, and the crew mustered
in knots to wonder and talk of what
was to be done.
In the meantime we had been stand
ing on our course, and had not shift
ed or hoisted single sail, but we're
as if perfectly regardless of the
schooner. Not so with her, however;
for besides a large square sail and
square topsail on the foremast, she
had run out small fore-topmast studd-
ing sails, and onward she came before
pretty smart breese, yawing from
side to side, at one moment sinking
stern foremost in the trough of the
sea, as an enormous wave rolled out
from under her, and at the next forced
headlong upwards by its successor,
while broad white sheet of foam
spread OUT around her, giving beauti-
full relief to the jet-black color of her
hull, testifying how rapidly she was
going through the water. l could
not help thinking of the captain s
expression, for she certainly did
"waIk up to US like nothing;" and as
there appeared not much time to lose,
l went down to the cabin to assume
my weapons. The captain was there
arranging some papers, and bottle
was before him, into which he had
put letter.
"Maybe, said he, "something'Il
happen to me; for if them 'ere blood
thirsty wretches won't be cheated
shall be the first to suffer; and
natural enough too, for all the mis-
chief they'll suffer will be by my
orders, just because l didn't like to
be overhauled like an old tarpaulin
by every rascal that chooses to say
"Heave to- on the high seas. But
never mind, only should you escape,
Just drop the bottle and letter over
board, If you think you can't deliver
it yourself. -
l had never seriously considered
the probability that L might also be
killed in an approaching fight, for |
thought that the captain intended to
throw open his ports and show his
sham guns that the schooner would
take fright. But when he began to
talk about death in such serious
strain, l began to feel very uncom-
Portable; and not being naturally
warrior, wished myself anywhere
else than on board the Patrick Henry.
There [ was, however, without
chance of escape; and | suggested to
the captain that it would be as we'll
for me to put letter into the bottle
also, in case of any accident to both
of us, which was agreed to; and we
arranged that If either survived, and
had opportunity, the letter of the un-
fortunate should be safely for warded
to It's destination. After this little
piece of preparation the captain took
me by the hand and said:
'"That's we'll. Are you willing to
share the post of danger with me?
Don't suppose that Pm unaccustom-
ed to the dangers of a sea fight. No;
[ we supported the glory of my coun-
Try in some gallant actions, and have
seen men killed who have since been
honored and esteemed as the SONS of
liberty. You are a passenger and
should be under my protection, yet
ask you to share the danger L want
somebody to stand by me on the plat
form and help me to manage the
swivel. Hands are scarce, and don't
know where else to place you.''