New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1915-11-10
CHAPTER XIV.
In Which We Burn All Bridges.

I "a WHISPERED as we came to
III the wharf: "Yonder, one step,
I'll and your parole Is over. Here
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 do?'
7 sShe stood silent for some time. tight.
ening 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 win not
!, do"
what is itT' 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 l knew the Joy of the COM
/ mander feeling that loyalty is his.
"'Tis 1, Black Bart" I answered,
full and clear. "Cast of. my friendsP
! 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 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 of and sprang on board
and as heard EOlonnois' 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.
ging Of the street beyond And then
I saw her Aing back her cloak and
stand with cupped hands. Her voice
was high, clear and unwavering, such
voice as pirates bride should have
fearless and bold.
"Ahoy, therel Help, help!' she cried.
Some sort of shout came from the
street, we knew not from whom. A
noise Of an opening hatch came from
the Sea Rover at our stern. and a
mans tousled head came into view.
whats goin' on here?" he demand
ed as quaveringly as querulously.
I made no answer. but saw our bows
crawl out and away, felt the sob Of
the screws, the arm of the river also
and knew a vast and pleasing content
with life.
'L'Olonnoisr' l called through the
megaphone.
FAYE. aye. sirr' heard his piping
rejoinder.
''Cast loose the stern chaser and fire
her at yon varlet If he makes move"
knew our deck cannon was loaded
with nothing more deadly than news
papers, but also knew that valof
feeds on action, not that had given
orders to fire on the world In general
So, I confess, was somewhat sur.
prised soon after the shout Of approx.
al which greeted my command to hear
the air rent BY the astonishing rever-
beration Of our long tom, which roll
ed like thunder all along the river
'front.' breaking into a thousand echoes
In the night.
I heard the patter Of feet along the
deck and had sight Of Jean Lafltte
tugging at halyard Not content
with our defiance Of law and order he
must needs break out the Jolly Rover
with its skull and crossbones. And az
we swung swiftly out into midsueam,
ablaze In light from bow to stern,
ghosttike in our swiftness and the a.
lence Of our splendid engines, had
reason to understand all the descrip.
tive writing which, as I later learned.
greeted the defiant departure Of this