The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-12-04

u
hho had seen once boforo-.on tragic
day In Barbados three years ago. II
her II was Just a great ship that wa,
heading rosolutoly. mnJoBtlcnlly
toward Thorn, and an EnglBhman, q
1 Judge by tho pennon she was flying
Tho sight thrilled her curiouAly; II
nwolo IN her an uplifting sense oil
pride that took no account OF the
danger 20 herself In the encounter
that must now be inevitable.
Beside her on tho poop. whittier
they had climbed TO obtain "A better
view. and equally arrested and al
gaze, stood Lord Julian. But lac
shared none or her oxultatlon. lie
had been In his first sea fight yes.
terday. and he felt that the expert.
onee would suffice him for n very
considerable time. This. insist. Ia
no reflection upon his courage.
Look" said Miss Bishop, pointing;
and TO hia Infinite amazomcnt he oh.
served that her eyes were sparkling.
Did bde realize, he wondered, what
was 1footp Her next sentence re.
solved his doubt 'She Is English.
and she comes resolutely on. She
means 10 fight"
God help her. then" said his
lordship gloomily. Her captain must
be mad. What can he hope TO dc
against two such heavy hulks as
thcscR II they could 80 easily blow
the Royal Mary out Of the water.
what will they do 10 this veselY
Look nj that devil Don Miguel. He's
utterly disgusting In his glec."
From the quarterback. where no
moved amid the frenzy OF propn ra.
ton, the admiral had turned 10 flash
backward glance nj his prisoners.
His eyes were aiight. his face trans.
figured. lie flung out an arm 10
point TO the advancing ship. and
bawled something IN Spanish that
was lost 10 them in the noise OF the
laboring crew.
They advanced 10 the poop rail,
and watched the hustle. Telescope
In hand on tho quarterback. Don
Miguel was Issuing his orders. Al.
ready the gunners we're klndllng
their matches. sailors were aioft,
taking In sail. others were spread.
ins stout rope net above the waist.
na protection against falling aparn.
And meanwhile Don Miguel had
been signalling 20 his eonsort. In re.
sponss 10 which the Hldalgn had
drawn steadily forward until she was
now abeam OF the MilnRrosa, half a
cable. length 20 starboard, and from
the height OF the tall poop my lord
and Misa Bishop could SEQ her own
hustle OF preparation. And they
could discern signs OF u now aboard
the advancing English ship as we'll.
She was furllng tops and mainsall,
stripping In fact TO mizzcn and spirit
for the coming action. Thus, almost
silently without challenge or OK.
change OF signals. had action been
mutually determined.
OF necessity now. under diminished
sail the advance OF the Arnbella was
slower. but Il was none the less
steady. She was already within
saker shot. and they could make out
the figures stirring on her forccastle
and the brass guns cleaning on her
prov. The gunners Of the Miiagrusa
raised their linatocks and blew upon
their anouldcrinK matches. looking
up lmpaticntly at the admiral
But tho admiral solemnly shook
his head.
Patience" he exhorted them.
Save Your fire until we Have him.
lie is coming straight TO his doom
uirRight TO the yardarm and the rope
that have been 20 long waiting for
him
stab me- said his lordshlp. This
Englishman may be gallant enough
10 accept battle against strh odds.
But there arc times when discretion
Is better quality than gallan,ry
IN n commander
'Gallantry viii often win thru,
even against overwh
strength" sald Miss Bishop. lie
looked at her. and noted in her bear.
Ing only excitement. or fear he
could siiil discern no trace. His lord.
ship was past amazemen,. She was
not by any means the kind Of woman
TO which life had accustomed him.
Presently" he said. you win sui
fer me TO place you under cover"
II can see best from here" she /
answered him And added quietly: |
II am praying for this Englishman.
lie must DO very brave"
Under his breath Lord Julian
damned the fellows bravery.
The Arnbolla was advancing now
along a course which. II continued.
must carry her straight between the
two Spanish ships My lord pointed
Il out Hes crazy surclyr' nc
cried. Hes driving straight into a
dcnth.trap. He'll be crushed to splint. |
crs between the two. No wonder
that black.faced Don is holding his
fire. In his place, should do the
same"
But even AZ that moment the nd. |
mirnl raised his hand: In the waist, |
below him. n trumpet blared, and |
Immediately the gunner on the prov
touched off his guns. As tho thunder
OF them rolled out. his lordship saw
ahead beyond the English ship and |
TO larboard OF her two heavy |
splashes. Almost Mt once two success.
sive spurts of flame lcapt from the |
brass cannon on the Arabella's beak. !
head. and scarcely had the watchers |
on the poop seen the shower OF /
spray where one of the shots struck |
the water near them. thnn with a |
rending crash and n SILVER that |
shook the Milagrosa from stem to !
stern, tho other came 10 lodge in her
forecastle. To avenge that blow, the