The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-07
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Blackwelrs between his pursuers and
 himself; and by the time the cruiser
 had traversed the safer passage that
 she had to choose the Water-Witcb was beyond range.
 Swiftly though the brigantine drew away, the Coquette followed. All day
 the chase continued up the Sound, but
 when the cruiser at last passed the Race and stood out into the broad ocean again. there was no sail on the
 dark sea except her own.
 .I fear that the fellow has hidden himself in one of the many secret bays
 on the Long Island coast" said the
 sailing master. and Ludlow agreed
 Slowly the corvette stood down the coast, when suddenly full-rigged snip of great size was made out A glance satfsfied the officers that It was . French cruiser.
 The corvette was sh ort-handed to degree that made battle a desperate choice. but Ludlow did not hesitate Fastening to the cabin. he led Aida to the most secure place in the ship. and then asked the Alderman and Seadr1t if they would lend a hand in the hSht,
 The Dutchman grumbled. but showed i no hesitation otherwise. Seadrift, | however. laughed faintly. and said: T | am filter for the zephyr than the gale | I am not a bit valiant"
 Ludlow listened in amazemeut. Then. suddenly, still greater amusement l show ed in his face. Stepping back. he l cried: You. cannot be the plucky skim mer of the seas! Strange that l did l not see the truth at once! Come. gal liant Master seadrift. let me lead you | to Miss Alida's hiding place. The en- | emy would fear your presence on my | deck as little as 1 now fear 1t with her" |. Events were crowdlng too much to permit him to dwell long on the extra | ordinary discovery he had made. The | Frenchman came on fast-a pretty | ship. but badly handled. as Ludlow saw l at once. They passed each other close | to and each took and gave a broadside. They wfirled about and passed again with another close broadside discharge before any one could even tell what | damage had been done by the first
 The Frenchman blundered with his | top sails and lost way. Instantly the Couuette luffed across his bows, grap- l pied. and cleared his decks by a mur- | derous discharge of grape.
 Before Ludlow could follow up his advantage the topmen cried that a sec ond French cruiser was bearing down. "Cut!" shouted Ludlow. The Coquette
 dragged away heavily. poured her
 whole broadside into the Frenchman | and ripped herself clear.
 Her enemy tried to follow. but as soon as the sails drew the mainmast snsa she ed across her deck. and. while she was clearing the wreck the Coquette was running free with her men repair | ing damage and all the orderly routine | of a man-of-war restored.
 Ludlow at once shaped his way to- ward the Capes. and would have es-
 capped had not the wind died away, 1 forcing him to come to anchor. As | soon as 1t was dark the French cruiser | lowered all their boats and attack ed 1 savagely and with preponderating 1 numbers.
 Twice masses of Frenchmen gained | the head and bowsprit of the Coquette | and twice they were driven Into the l sea with pike and outlasR But more | boats sent their crews to the attack each moment. and at last the British | sailors were driven to the waist. Hand | grenades showered on deck and for bade another attempt to face the men who were climbing the bows of the ship. The defense became a hopeless. | desperate. silent resistance, with every man expecting death.
 The assailants were mastering in force on the bows. Ludlow cast a glance backward toward the cabins. preparing for a last stand there. At
 
 Abide the shockI" A horde of tall, active men boarded the vessel from the
 side that was still clear of foes. and eprang furiously at the Frenchmen.
 Fresh, and with all the advantages
 of surprise. to aid them, the newcomers turned to aid them. the newcomers turned the fight at once. The enemy was swept from the corvette like dust
 before a broom. The British, heart
 ened anew, echoed the shout of the
 strangers who had come so strangely
 and opportunely to their help. In an
 incredibly short time the deck of the
 cruiser was their own again and the Frenchmen, driven back into their boats, Red before the charge of grape
 that flashed from her sides.
 A breeze had come during the fight,
 and Ludlow hurriedly ordered sail
 made. Not till the corvette was forg-
 ing eastward did he have leisure to
 speak to tho man who had come to his
 aid and who now stood quietly on tho
 quarterback.
 He saw young, handsome man with
 an immensely firm and sinewy frame
 and face that spoke of daring in ev-
 cry feature. He wore a &srb similar