Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-06-19
She stopped.

well, I'm very sorry for ! you
miss" said Capt. Tugsses, but the
best can do Is to take you with your
friend. You can gel. OF at Bordeaux
and 60 where you please, meanwhile
the ship is yours"
will those boats catch us. can
tain" queried Ellen, stepping slowly
across the deck to the landward side.
Not II don't want 'em tor sais
Tuggles, grimly. Mr.. Manthy," he
added, turning to q surly-looking mate
who was pacing the quarterback. 'the
breeze is fresh'nin', better give her
more sail. An we've had enough OF
southin', better set our course for the
BASTARD until we get well up the chan
mel. You're safe, miss. There amt
no small boat in England that can
overhaul jeremiah Tuggles an the
Flying Star, an there amt many
ships can do It either"
Are you sure, captain?"
"Sartin," said the captain.
Ellen did a strange thing. She ran
across the deck to the gangway, leaned
far over It, lifted her hat and waved IL
three or four times at the boats vainly
pursuing. Then not waiting for a re-
turn Of her salute, she rejoined the
captain.
IF you please, captain" she said,
wed like to have something to eat
and place to sleep. We've had moth
ing but hard tack and water since
yesterday morning, and what sleep
I we got we had to take in the cutter"
You shall have everything the ship
affords" said Capt. Tuggles, a
worthy seaman, there's only one
thing within reason that l can't sup.
ply"
"And what Is that%
Female toggery." answered the cap
tain.
Il don't need that / like these
clothes" returned the girl, boldly.
The captain himself took the two
below. He called his cabin boy and
set before them q prodigious guam.
tity Of substantial fare. They were
both hungry enough to have eaten
ruder provision with a hearty zest.
When their appetite was stayed, the
captain showed them to a cabin with
two berths in it. Both women we're
30 tired that recriminations which
trembled In the air were deferred I'm.
III they had taken needed rest.
Dressed as they were, each crawled
into her respective berth and soon was
sound asleep.
It was dark before either awoke.
What disturbed her, Ellen could not
tell, but she suddenly found herself
sitting up in her berth listening to a
faint hail that came down the wind
and through the open air port into the
cabin.
A voice said grufiy:
This is his majesty's ship-of.the.
line Britannia Heave to and I'll send
. boat aboard"
THE Britannia" exclaimed Ellen
under her breath, Admiral Kephard's
flagship"
What could II mean? She rose to
her feet and stepped to the port hole.
It was pitch dark outside. She could
see nothing. The moon had not yet
risen. Over her head Capt. Tuggles
was replying.
What do you want with me?" he
cried, roughly.
You'll find out" answered a voice
from the darkness, when we send a
boat aboard"
A moment after Ellen caught a
glimpse Of the running light OF a
large ship slowly closing upon the
Flying Star. Other lights cleaned
from port holes here and there bring.
ing the huge liner In fair view. -.
This is the high SEAS" answered
Capt Tuggles, with great spirit. I'm
q peaceful merchantmen from the
United States, and I'm damned II I'll
heave to for anybody"
Brave Capt. Tuggles! Ellen thrilled
In her soul, but she knew that the
game was up. No merchantmen could
brave war vessel, and one flying an
admiral's flag at that, with impunity
The next instant a gun flashed from
the side Of the ship-of-the-llne and a
deep boom rolled across the black
water.
IF you don't heave to-" cried the
voice from the other ship, the next
shot'll go into you"
To hesitate longer was madness FL.
len could hear Capt. Tuggles dash hi,
trumpet to the deck and the next min.
ute his hoarse voice bidding the watch
swing the main yard. The ship slowly
shot up into the wind and present.,
lay still. On the ship-ot.the-line Ellen
could hear the shrill whistling Of pipes
and hoarss voices calling away the
crew OF the cutter. Unless she acted
Immediately she was lost. The ship
of-the-line could have overhauled the
merchantmen only for her. :
She turned from the portfolio to iind
Deborah, who had been awakened BY
the cannon shot, standing half dazed
at her side. 20 I
Debbie."' she cried, I've changed