Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-11

off from the side of the schooner, and dipping and
rising, made its slow way toward the Frenchman.
Badding and one archer had single oars the second
archer was in the PROV, while Black Simon and
Nigel huddled into the stern with the water tapping
and kissing at their very elbows A shout of
defiance rose from the Frenchman and they stood in
a line along the side of their vessel shaking their
fists and waving their weapons. Already the
was level with Dungeness, and the gray of evening
was burring sky and water into one dim haze. A
great silence hung the broad expanse of nature,
and no sound broke it the dip and splash of
the oars and the slow deep surge of the boat upon
the swell. Behind them their comrades of the
Marie Rose stood motionless and silent, watching
their progress with eager eyes.
They were near enough now to have a good look
at the Frenchman One was big swarthy man
with a long black beard. He had red cap and
an AK over his shoulder There were ten other
hardy-ooling fellows, all of them well armed, and
there were three who seemed to be boys.
Shall we try shaft upon them?" asked Hugh
Baddesmere. They well within bow
shot"
Only one of you can shoot at a time, for you
have no footing" said Badding with one foot
in the PROV and one the thwart you will get
your stance. Do what you may, and then we will
close in upon them"
The archer balanced himself in the rolling boat
with the defines of who has been trained
upon the sea, for he born and bred in the
Cirque Ports Carefully he nocked his arrow,
strongly he drew it, steadily he 1oosed it, but the
boat swooped at the instant, and it buried itself
in the waves. The second passed over the little
ship, and the third struck in black side. Then
in quick successon-so quick that two shafts
often in the air at the same instant-he discharged
a dozen arrows, most of which just cleared the
bulwarks and dropped upon the deck. There
a cry the Frenchman and the heads vanished
from the side.
Enough" cried Badding. lone is down. and
it may be two Close in close in, in Gods name
before they ray"
He and the other bent to their oars; but at the
same instant there was sharp zip in the air and
hard clear sound like a stone striking wall. Bad
desmere clapped his hand to his head, groaned ard
fell forward out of the boat leaving swirl of blood
upon the surface moment later the same fierce
hiss ended in loud wooden crash and Short
thick crossbowbolt was buried deep in the side of
their boat.
CLOSE in, close n!" roared Badding Juggling at
his Saint George for England Saint
Leonard for Winchelsea! Close n!''
But again that fatal crossbow twanged. Dcon
of Rye fell back with a shaft through his shoulder.
God help me, | can do no more! said he
Badding seized the oar from his hand; but it
only to sweep the boats head round and pull
her back to the Marie Rose. The attack had
failed
What now, master hipman?" cried Nigel
What has befallen to stop u.s. Surely the matter
does not end here?'
1.-Two down out of FIVE" said Badding land
twelve at the least against us. The odds are too
long, little master. Let at least go back fill up
once more, and raise mantelet against the bolts,
for they have arbalst which shoots both straight
and hard But what do must do quickly,
for the darkness falls apace."
Their repulse had been hailed by wild yells of
delight from the Frenchmen, who danced with joy
and waved their weapons madly their heads.
But before their reoicings had finished they
the little boat creeping out once more from the