The Washington times., 1910-06-02
CHAPTER vi.
Broadside To Rroadside.

wv HEN day broke II showed 10 the
W anxious. haggard watchers the
English frigate close at hand. Susan
had remained on deck a large part Of
the night but had finally gone below
at her fathers urgent insistence. When
day broke, although he was loath 10
awaken her. knowing how she must
need sleep, her father summoned her
20 the deck. He did not know what
might happen, and she was TOO valuable
an adjunct 10 be neglected in the
scheme Of things
You sent for me. father?' said the
young woman, as she slowly climbed
the ladder 10 the raised poop.
Yes, daughter"
And for what reasOn2"
ITO show you our friend OF yonder, "
he replied, pointing 70 Windward a. the
loom Of the English ship, bright in the
early sun.
Susan turned and stared at the frig-
ate.
THE Hiram and Susan has in her a
match" she said at last
Aye, yOn ship has the heels OF Us.
and look how she's weathered on Us"
Susan nodded her head thOuEhLfully.
said.
wiser father. Indeed, II she were 70
put her helm up"
He stopped. The conclusion was too
obvious TO need description.
The mate here spoke.
II wonder why they haven't opened
fire yet2''
What's the use OF knocking up a prize
already in their graspT' returned the
captain gloomily.
'I suppose you've tried them on every
course. father2' asked Susan
Trust me for that
"Well. then. let me try" said the girl,
unwilling TO believe her eyes.
II YOU like" said the captain. ET1il-
ing E little although he felt not at all IN
c!Med to merriment.
The men-how DO they behave7'' she
asked
"Ohi well enough They are a set OF
worthless Iubbers-"
Perhaps I can inspire them" said the
girl. Men" she called in clear II
somewhat high-pitehed voice, II yon
frigate takes US II Is farewell 10 the ship
and q British prison for all OF you,
Wen try once more 20 shake her on
Stand by the wear. and when I give the
word, jump as II your lives depended on
IT,"
There was a hurried running to and
fro Of the heavy crew Of the Hiram and
Susan. A more Misunderstanding set OF
men could hardly have been Assem- bled
Only the offscourings OF creation had
been available for the merchantmen. and
they looked IL The nOndescripts on the
served under the British as under any
other flag, and II capture had meant only
a transfer OF allegiance they would
scarcely have raised a hand save under
cOmpulsiOn TO prevent IT,
But some Of them were deserters from
the British navy and had felt the rigors
OF its iron discipline; they knew that a
shCrt and summary justice would be
meted out TO them.
Others had no mind 20 exchange the
81 L.
even though Captain Hiram ruled them
with a necessarily heavy hand, for the
horrors OF DaItmoor or the British pris-
on ships. So they sprang TO their sta
tions with ala crity-an alacrity that
would not have been manifested were
mand Of a woman.
Lifting the zl2ss from the hatch-cover
where the mate had laid it, Susan To-
cused IT on the frigate. Her quick eye
discovered movement, apparently, for
ward. All They were casting loose one
OF the bow guns Susan was not very
familiar with the power Of great guns
but she guessed that the friEate was In
range, or nearly so, and that a Iona
eighteen would probably send a shot
over them or into them.
A single shot, If Il struck Alright
meant a crippled spar and a lost ship
II she intended TO endeavor to save tho
Hiram and Susan, time for action had
q vicious snap, faced downward again
and without a trumpet, or even hoi-
lowing her hand, cried in her clear
voice:
stand by"
At this peremptory signal the men,
who, under the direction Of the mate,
had quickly arranged themselves at the
sheets and braces, set taut upon or
made ready to slack away the various
ropes The wheelsman steadied himself
for the order.
up with the heImi
"Flatten in forwardi
Cast off the lee braces. Hands bv
the weather fore and main and lee
cross-jack braces. Mind the tacks and
sheets.
Brace inI
Hard up with the helmP' she cried.
leaning over the break OF the poop
to the old sea-dog on the quarter deck
who whiTled the wheel over spoke by
spoke.
Then she turned and herself Stacked
off the spanker sheet.
STEADY with the braces!' she cried
as the great yards swung around
Now meet her with the helm Aft.
here, some Of you. and brazil in the
spanker."
Her calculations had been made with
the utmost accuracy, and the simple
evolution had been performed with a
dispatch and precision which bespoke
alike the skill Of the commander and the
responsiveness Of the crew.
The two ships had been sailing side
by side on the starboard tack Now
the Hiram and Susan was rushinE