The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1911-12-08

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and looked for herself.
"Wha' makes ye think she's a pi
rateT'
shes built only for speed and fight
ing"
The old lady said no more. Brought
face to face with that which she had
heard Of only at q distance her non
resistant theory collapsed. But she
was too proud to admit 1t.
The stranger was evidently steering
course to head OF the Scotia. Miss
Macgregor sat immovabie, while the
two ships were inevitably dra wing
closer together. There was no fear In
her face. but a thundercloud. Were
there a NEUROLOGICAL goddess Of war
she would have been its impersonation.
Presently the stranger broke" the
skull and crossbOnes. firing at the
same time q shot across the Scotia g
bows. Immediately Miss Macgregor
heard the rolling Of guns on a lower
deck.
"Wha's that?" she asked.
Gums" replied the captain.
The curve Of the old lady's lips
turned from downward and upward in
grim smile. But she said never a
word She had no encomium for Cap
tain Hardwick for disobeying her or
ders and no reproof.
Strike the Hag." the captain ordered.
Up jumped Miss Macgregor. "Strike
the 6ag!" she cried. Never. Not on
my sheep while I'm aboard OF her."
ITS ruse." explained the captain.
II wish to get her within range and
when our broadside faces her we'll run
out our guns for the fight"
"Ah. weel." said the lady, II did ma
think O. that"
The pirate unsuspectingly drew near
er and the two vessels stood side by
side. a cables length apart. The buc.
cancer did not consider 1t worth while
to open his ports. thinking his prize
mere trader. Suddenly the Scotia's
ports few open and broadside thun.
dered forth.
"Weel done. captainv' said the old
lady. Can ye ma give him another?"
Some confusion was manifest on the
pirate. but his guns were run out and
the fight was opened.
A great change came over Miss
Macgregor. her appearance suggesting
her ancestor highlanders' "wha' wi
Wallace bled." Hardwick endea vored
to retain the command. but soon gave
way to the little Scotchwoman. In
fortunately. she did not have the
knowledge Of seamanship and ord
nance with which to carry ON such an
encounter and 1t went against her.
The pirate kept dra wing nearer. final
" getting into position favorable for
graphing. Hardwick told the men to
60 below and bring up the muskets
and cutlasses. They did so. and the
captain suggested to his commander
that the crew lie beneath the bull
warks and II the pirates attempted to
board surprise them. She consented
and. taking cutlass. screened herself
among them on the bows near where
the buccaneers were evidently aiming
to grapple.
Presently above the heads Of those
waiting was the sound Of irons catch.
Ing on the gunwale. Hardwick had
told the men to wait till he gave the
signal to rise. but as he was about to
do 20 Miss MacGregor sprang with an
agility betting young girl on to the
bulwarks and. holding with her left
hand to the foremost ratlines, waved
4 Cutla00 with the Othor
"Come on. ye imps O Satan," she
cried.
One Of the pirates was about to
leap to the Scotia, but this strange
apparition threw him hat aback. But
only for q moment The Scotia's men
supported their leader and for time
repelled the attack. But at last the
buccaneers gained a foothold on the
Scotia's deck. and her crew were driv-
en- back.
In hour passed. but the pirates could
not score . victory. A number of
times the Scotia's crew would have
given up the fight but for the indom-
liable resolution Of Miss Macgregor.
One glance at her adamant face and
they were ready for another thrust.
The officers realizing her value pro-
tected her from many a stroke that
would have cleft her IKE an apple.
Get awa'v she cried to them. But
they refused
Her men. fighting as they were for
their lives. az time went on killed and
disabled more pirates than they lost
themselves. Finally Captain Hard
wick. seeing that he had his enemies
gave a signal for one
effort. It so reduced the
pirates numbers that they gave way.
Miss Macgregor broke through those
Of her own side in front Of her and
followed tho retreating buccaneers.
chopping them with her cutlass, till
Captain Hardwick caught her by her
skirts and pulled her back. Most of
he fleeing men were killed. The rest
Jumped INTO the sea. Then Miss Mac
sfegor stood on the forecastle, cover
ID with blood. her skirts torn to
shreds, her white hair embossed and
lying In the winds. not a whit Of her
sternnesS gone. and said:
s"Thursa ua karkr an thn ahnnn h,,&