The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-01-17

maj talk with his principal, and i
was arranged that he should awaken
Jack in the morning.
At four bells Ralph went to Jack:
bunk Jack was sleeping quietly
Ralph stood looking at him for few
moments, then stole away on tiptoe
took up cutlass and went on deck.
whats the matterY' said Parsons
as Ralph approached. HAS he backed
out?"
mo; he's asleep. I've come in hi:
stead"
"Oh. don't want to fight a boy.
must have the man who challenged
me-"
you'll fight me before you fight
him, for I'm between you and him
and you can't get at him without go
ing past me-
With that Bronson took up a posi-
ton he had learned in the British
army. Parsons went at him as ht
would attack Malay pirate. Ralph
stepped lightly aside Parsons turn
ed and brought his cutlass down ovel
Ralph's head. Ralph received it OF
his own weapon. His arm was barred
his sleeve being rolled above the Ell
bow. The arm was round, but there
was fair muscle on It. Parsons, an
CRY at not being able to get at his en-
envy. thought little Of caution and ex
posed his left side, and Ralph rammei
his weapon clean through it. Parsons
looked about him wildly for a few mo
ments, the blood spouting out of his
wound. then fell in a heap on the
deck. Then Ralph Bronson topplet
over too.
When Drury awoke and saw the
sun shining in through a portfolio hs
could not understand the situation
There was no one near him at the time
Of whom to ask questions. So, spring
ing up. he got into his clothes and
went on deck. Everything was peace
full. The crew were going about theil
duties, as usual. The only noticeable
feature was man on his knees swab
bling place on the deck. Drury weni
up to him and. seeing that the watel
in his bucket was red, became moIe
mystified than ever.
what are you doing?" he asked the
man.
"Swabbing Parsons blood"
Parsons bloodw
Yes; he was killed In fight this
morning at three bells"
'Who fought him?" asked Jack, fair.
ly aghast
'Ralph Bronson"
"Then," said Drury, I'm goins ia
kill Bronson
But Bronson knew what his friends
first emotions upon knowing that be
had been tricked would be and had
gone into hiding.
Drury sought the boy, half minded
to carry out his threat, but could moi
find him. Then Ralph's devotion be.
gan to dawn upon him. and he sought
him to take his hand and gulp out his
thanks. Still not finding him, he wait
ed till 1t was time for Ralph to 90 on
watch. Ralph did not appear. Then
for the first time 1t occurred to him
that Bronson might have been killed
or at least mortally wounded. But O
member Of the crew treasured him
telling him that the boy had not re.
ceived a scratch.
'Then what's he hiding from me
for?" asked Drury.
Dunno. After the fight they tux
him to the captains cabin. The cap
tain gave i'm bunk by hisself. That's
all knows about it."
Drury fretted and fumed. At four
bells in the afternoon an American
ship appeared, coming right on the
Eaglet's course. When she drew near
she was spoken. and the Eaglet's cap.
tain went aboard Of her. He returned
with a bundle.
At six bells Drury received word that
the captain wished to see him In his
cabin. Drury hurried there and found
not the captain. but Ralph Bronson In
woman's clothes.
That's the end of the story. In a
few days the Eaglet stopped at New
port. where Drury and the woman
whatever her name might be-went
ashore and were seen no more on the
privateer. Later a sum of prize mon
ey was paid to John Drury and Emma
Bronson Drury in equal shares.