New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-11

rising. made It's SLOW way toward the FTenChTnan
Baddlng and one archer had single oars the second
archer in the PROV while Black Simon and
Nigel huddled into the with the water tapping
and Kissing at their very elbows. shout of
defiance rose from the Frenchman, and they stood in
d line along the side of their vessel shaking their
fists and waving their weapons Already the sun
was level with Dungeness, and the gray of evening
was blurring sky and water into one dim haze
great silence hung the broad expanse of nature
and no sound broke 1t the dip and splash of
the and the slow deep surge of the boat upon
the swell. Behind them their comrades of the
Marie Rose stood motonless and silent, watching
their progress with eager eyes
They were near enough to have good look
at the FrenChman. One big swarthy man
with a long black beard. He had red cap and
an AK over his shoulder There ten other
hardy-ooking 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 we'll within bow
shot"
Only one OF you can shoot at time, for you
have no footing, said Badding With one foot
III the PROV and one over the thwart YOU will get
your stance, Do what YOU may, and then We viii
close upon them"
The archer balanced himself in the rolling boat
with the dizziness OF man who has been trained
upon the sea, for he was born and bred in the
Cirque Ports. Carefully he nocked his arrow,
strongly he drew it. steadily he lOOscd it. but the
boat swooped at the instant, and 1t buried itself
in the waves. The second passed over the little
ship, and the third struck in her black side. Then
IN quick suCcession-so quick that two shafts were
often IN the air at the same nstant-he discharged
a dozen arrows, most of which Just cleared the
bulwarks and dropped upon the deck. There was
a cry on the Frenchman, and the heads vanished
from the side.
Enough" cried Badding. "One is down, and
II may he two Close IN, close in, IN Gods name,
before they rally"
L. ND N. :.
same instant there was sharp ZIP in the air and a
hard clear sound like a stone striking a wall Bad
dlesmere clapped his hand TO his head groaned and
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 a short
thick crossbow-bot was buried deep in the side OF
their boat.
Close in. close I'M" reared Baddng, tugging at
his Saint George for England! Saint
Leonard for Winchelsea, Close in"
But again that fatal crossbow twanged. Dicon
OF Rye fell back with a shaft through his shoulder.
God help me, l can do no morel" SAID he.
Badding seized the 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-shpman," cried Nigel.
What has befallen to stop us? Surely the matter
does not end here
Two down out of five" said Badding and
twelve at the least against The odds are too
long, little Let us at least go back, I'LL up
once more, and raise a manteet against the bolts
for they have arbalst which shoots both straight
and hard. But what do we must do quickly,
for the darkness falls apace."
Their repulse had been hailed by wild yels OF
delight from the Frenchmen, who danced with JOY
and waved their weapons madly over their heads.
But before their rejoicings had finished they
the little boat creeping out more from the
shadow OF the Marie Rose a great wooden screen
in her bows to protect her from the arrows With