The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-11-11
CHAPTER XIV.
In Which We Burn All Bridges.

~ it is not That boat, just
astern. is the one in which Cal David
son chased us all the way from
Natchez in which chased him all the
way from Dubuque. His men do not
know we are here, nor does he as yet
Now, what is it that you wish to dor
She stood silent for some time. tight.
ching her wrap at the throat against
the river damp, and made no answer.
though her gaze took in the dark hull
of the low lying craft made fast below
us. When at last:
Zone thing" she began, II will not
do"
What is it," l asked. We spoke
low, but we'll knew my men were
aware of our coming.
II shall ask no favor Of you" And
as she spoke she stepped lightly on
the rubbered deck of the Belle Helene
Halt! Who goes there?" called the
hoarse voice Of Jean LATTE, the faith
full and knew the Joy of the com.
mander feeling that loyalty Is his.
"'Tis l. Black Bart" answered,
full and clear. Cast of. my friends!'
At once the Belle Helene was full OF
activity.
And now, revealed full in the food
OF light as she stood at the side portal,
Helena did what l had not planned
Freed Of her parole she was-and she
had asked no favor of me-so she had
right to make attempt to escape, and
| gently stepped before her even as
Jean cast off and sprang on board
and as ! heard L'Olonnois voice i'm
peratively demanding silence Of the
pounding at the after cabin door. All
at once heard what Helena heard
the rattle Of wheels on the stone flag.
cling Of the street beyond And then
saw her fling back her cloak and
stand with cupped hands. Her voice
was high, clear and unwavertng. such
voice as a pirates bride should have
fearless and bold
"Ahoy, there: Help, help!" she cried
Some sort Of shout came from thu
street, we knew not from whom. 4
noise OF an opening hatch came from
the Sea Rover at our stern, and
mans tousled head came into view.
whats goin' on here?" he demand
ed as Quaveringly as querulously.
made no answer. but saw our bow
crawl out and away. felt the sob o
the screws. the arm of the river ais
and knew vast and pleasing conten
with life.
"L'Olonnoisv' ! called through tn
megaphone.
AYE. aye. sirv' heard his pipin
rejoinder.
"Cast loose the stern chaser and fir
her at yon varlet if he makes move.
l knew our deck cannon was loade
with nothing more deadly than news
papers. but also knew that valo
feeds on action. not that had give
orders to fire on the world in genera
So. confess, was somewhat sn1
prised soon after the shout of appro,
!, al which greeted my command to hea
the air rent by the astonishing revel
beration of our long tom, which rol
ed like thunder all along the rive
> front. breaking into a thousand echoe
y in the night.
+ heard the patter of feet along tt
deck and had sight of Jean Latit1
n Juggling at u halyard Not confer
q with our defiance of law and order
must needs break out the Jolly Row
q with it's skull and crossbones. And
a we swung swiftly out into midstrea1
), ablaze in light from bow to ster
ghostlike in our swiftness and the
q lence of our splendid engines, nj
a reason to understand all the desert
:. tive writing which. as l later learne
a greeted the defiant departure OF tn
- pirate craft and its rut1ian crew. TIL
% babe all the world come and tai
from me what had taken for q
!, own.
>. turned now to find Helena and m
L'Olonnois. his face beaming.
- wasn't that peach Of shot
said he. ut would of blew yon varl
out of the water if I'd had anything
n load with except just them marble
- Are you looking for Auntie Hele
She has just went below"
le My boy had ironed my trousers-th
'e is to say, the trousers had given h1
the year previous and which he nc
had loaned to me, my extremity bel!