The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1919-06-13

Eyes, an yer might IND another aft
If yer looked fer it. Morn tibet, we
know how ter use 'cm. Now see here,
Gates; thar's no reason why we should
beat about the bush-fact is we're sea
rovers."
"Sea rovers-pirates, sir?"
"Bahi what's a name! We take
what we want; it's our trade, that's
all. No worse than many another.
The question is, are yer goin' ter take
a chance long with us? It's the only
life, lad-plenty of fun, the best of
liquor and pretty girls, with share liz
all the swag."
"What is the name Of this barkT"
"The Namur-out o. Rotterdam till
we took her."
"Who's the captainw
"Silva Sanchez"
"Gawdl Sanchez-not-not Black
SanchezY
"That's him; so yer've heerd of
Black SanchezY Well, we're sailin'
long with him, all right mate. an
yer ought ter know whut tibet means
fer good man."
I hesitated, yet only long enough to
leave the impression I sought to make
on them both.
"Likely thar amt no sailor but what
has heerd O. him." / said slowly. SIT
don't look like thar wus much choice,
does it?"
TaUoro orpoorod ovo,,cod ~, Iic xr,ox,
which was not a pleasant one.
"Oh, yes, friend, there is choice
enough. Bill, here, had exactly the
same choice when he first came-hey,
Bill? Remember how you signed on,
after we took you off the Albatross?
This is how it stands, Gates-either
go forrard quietly yerself, er the both
of us will kick you there. That will be
enough talk. Go on, now"
It was curt dismissal, coupled with
plain threat, easy to understand. I
obeyed the order gladly enough, stink
ing away into the black shadows for
ward, realizing my good fortune, and
seeking some spot where I could be
alone.
The crew had disappeared, lying
down no doubt in corners out of The
wind. And this wind was certainly
rising. I wondered that Levere hung
on so long in his perilous position, al
though, in spite Of the increased strain,
the anchor still chung firmly. It seemed
to me that no hawser ever made could
long withstand the terrific strain of
our Juggling, as the struggling bark
rose and fell in the grip of the sea. To
him must have come the same con-
viction, for suddenly his high-pitched
voice sang out from the poop:
"Stand by, forrard, to lower the star
board anchor; move lively, men. Every
thing ready, Haines?"
"All clear, sir. Come on the jump,
bullies!"
''Then let go smartly. Watch that
you don't get the line fouled. Aloft
there! Anything in sight, Cavere?'
From high up on the fore-top yard,
the answer, blown by the wind, came
down in broken English:
'Non, m'sieur; see nottings."
I Joined the watch forward. The
number of men on deck was evidence
Of large crew, there being many
more than were necessary for the
work to be done. Most of them APP
peared to be able seamen, and Haines
drove them mercilessly, cursing them
for lubbers, and twice kicking vicious
~ at STOPPING form. Then the great
rope began to slip swiftly through the
hawse hole, and we heard the sharp
splash as the iron flukes struck the
water, and sank. Almost at that same
instant the voice of Cavere rang out
from the masthead:
"a sail, m'sieur-a sail"
s'Where away?"
soft re port quarter. make eet to
be re leetle boat-she just round re
point"