The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-05-01

got to come out O. the tube an out O.
the breech mechanism before we COM
mence shootin'."
The enemy had approached within
three miles by the time the piece was
ready for action. Under Mr.. Gibney's
instructions Captain Scraggs held the
fuse setter in case it should be nee
essary to adjust with shrapnel. Mr..
Gibney inserted his sights and took 6
preliminary squint. "A little differ
cnt from sun-pointin' in the navy, but
about the same principle" he declared.
I'm the army believe they call this
kind o. sh0otin' direct fire, because
you sight direct on the target" He
scratched his ingenious head and ex-
amined the ammunition. mot high
explosive shell in the lot" he mourned.
''Tll have to use percussion fire to get
the range; then I'll drop back little
an spray her with shrapnel. Seems
a pity to smash up fine schooner
like that one with percussion fire. I'd
rather tickle 'em up bit with
shrapnel an scare 'em into runnin'
away" "..-
He got out the lanyard, slipped a
cartridge in the breech, paused, and
scratched his head again. His calm
deliberatfOn was driving ScraggS
crazy. He reminded Mr.. Gibney with
some asperity that they were not at
teEding strawberry festival and for
the love of heaven to get busy:
I'm estimatin' the range, you
snipe," Gibney retorted. "Looks to be
about three miles to me. A little long,
raebbe, for this gun, but-there's moth
in like tryin'," and he sighted ccre-
fully. Fire" he bawled as the Mag
gle rested an instant in the trough Of
the sea-and a deckhand jerked the
lanyard. Instantly Mr.. Gibney clapped
the long glass to his eye. .ss,$gssssgS...
Good directiOn-over," NhesFmur-
INJURED. "I'll lay on her waterline next
time" He ierkcd open die breech,
elected the cartridge case. and rammed
another cartridge home This shot
struck the water directly under the
schooner's bow and threw Water over
her fOrecastle head. Mr.. Gibney
smiled, spat overheard, and winked
confidently at Captain ScraggS Like
spearn' fish in bath tub" he de
clared. He bent over the fuse setter.
"Corrector three Zero" he intoned,
-four eight hundred" He thrust a
cartridge in the fuse. setter, twisted
it, slammed it in the gun, and fired
again. over" he. ygrowled. ~
Something, whined over the Maggie
and threw up a waterspout half q
mile beyond her.
"Dubs," jeered Mr.. Gibney. and
sighted again. This time his. siirapnel
burst neatly on the schooner. Almost
simultaneously shell from the
schooner dropped into the sacked coal
on the forecastle head Of the Maggie
and cnvelored her in black nall Of
smoke and conn dust. Captain
Scraggs scrpamed1
"Tit for tat Il, e philosophical Glib
ney reminded HIM I'VE can't expect
to get away with everything, Seraggsy,
old kiddo." The ords were scarcely
out of his mouth before the MaSgie's
mninmast and about ten feet Of her
ancient railing were trailing along.
side. Mr.. Gibp ey whistled softly
through his tee tn and successfully
sprayed the Mex can again. "lthreaks
my heart to ruiz, that crafts canvasY'
he declared. ami let her have it: once
more. X
MY Magsih's tail is shot away
Captain Scrrggs walled. "an' only
rebuilt 1T n week ago" Three more
shots from the long gun missed them.
but the fourth carried away the cabin,
leaving the wreck Of the pilot house,
with the nelmsman unscatheG stick
Ing up like Il sore thumb.
Turn laer around and head straight
for them," the gallant Glbney reared
shes q, Smaller. target eomine bows
on. Weir, broadside to liver now"
"Gib. will you ever sink that
Greasery' Captain Scraggs sObbeG hys
tericallN.
"Don3. want to sink her." the super
cargo I'etOrted. "She's MICE lMtle
schoone r. I'd rather capture h er. May
be We can use her in our business
Scrag ys;y," and he continued to show
or the,enemy with high bu slim ;shrap
mel. When the two vessels were less
than two miles apart the one-po Nnders
CAME into action. 1t was pretty shoot.
ing and the wicked little shells arlpped
Though the old Maggie like buc kshot
through roll Of butter. Mr.. G'bncy
Sid fiat on the deck beside his CUR
and Captain Scraggsf spraw4ed ~ side
him.
"A feller,". Mr.. GibneyJ amour, ed
has ,got to take n beatin' while looa in
for an openin' to put over the knN tx
out blow. If the old Maggie holds ITO
gets,er till we're within cable lanG1
o that schooner an we amt alIskNle(
by; that time. I bet TIL make then
sSmks sing soft an low" %,s555S'
Howl Captain Scraggs Chartered.
with muzzle bursts" Mr.. Gibney
replied. "rll set fuse at zero, nm