The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-07


 than the gale. I am not bit valiant"
 Ludlow listened in amazement. Then,
 suddenly, a still greater amazement
 showed in his face. Stepping back he
 cried "You cannot be the plucky skim
 mer of the seas! Strange that I did not see the truth at oncel Come, gallant Mas
 ter Seadrift. let me lead you to Miss
 Alida's hiding place. The enemy would
 fear your presence on my deck as little
 as I now fear 1t with her!'
 Events were crowding too much to per- init him to dwell long on the extraordi- nary discovery he had made. The Frenchman came on fast-a pretty ship,
 but badly handled, as Ludlow saw at once. They passed each other close to and each took and gave a broadside. They
 whirled about and passed again with an other 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 Co.,
 quette luffed across his bows. grappled,
 and cleared his decks by murderous
 discharge of grape.
 Before Ludlow could follow up his ad-
 vantage the topmen cried that a second
 French cruiser was bearing down. Cut" shouted Ludlow. The Coquette dragged away heavily poured her whole broad side into the Frenchman and ripped her self clear.
 Her enemy tried to follow, but as soon as the sails drew the mainmast smashed across her deck, and while she was clear ing the wreck the Coquette was running free with her men repairing damage and all the orderly routine of a man-of-war restored.
 Ludlow at once shaped his way toward the Capes, and would have escaped had
 not the wind died away forcing him to come to anchor. As soon as it was
 dark the French cruisers lowered all their ! boats and attacked savagely and with preponderating numbers.
 Twice masses of Frenchmen gained the
 head and bowsprit of the Coquette and twice they were driven into the sea with pike and cutlass. 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 forbade another attempt to
 face the men who were climbing the bows
 of the ship. The defense became hope , less, desperate, silent resistance, with
 every man expecting death
 The assaiants were mastering in force
 on the bows Ludlow cast glance back
 ward toward the cabins preparing for a last stand there. At that moment there rang out a shout, Abide the shock" A
 horde of tall, active men boarded the ves-
 sel from>the side that was still clear of
 foes. and sprang furiousy at the French
 men.
 Fresh. and with all the advantages of surprise to aid them, the newcomers turned the fight at once. The enemy was swept from the corvette like dust before
 broom The British, heartened anew. echoed the shout of the strangers who had come so strangely and opportuneiy to their help In an incredibly short time the deck of the cruiser was their own again and the Frenchmen driven back into their boat fled before the charge of grape that flashed from her sides !, breeze had come during the fight, and | Ludlow hurriedly ordered sail made. Not | till the corvette was forging eastward | did he have leisure to speak to the man | who had come to his aid and who now | stood quietly on the quafterdeck. | He saw young, handsome man with
 an immensely firm and sinewy frame and l a face that spoke daring in every feature. l He wore garb similar to that of Lud- | lows prisoner save in richness of orna- ment. On his cap was worked figure | that Ludlow recognized with start. It l was that of the sea green lady.
 "I am the man you have been hunting | the Skinner of the Seas said the I stranger with a smile. we escaped your 1 Coquette by hiding in bay wonder and l when we saw your fight with the French | men we came to your aid in our boats.'
 q owe my ship-my life to you," said