The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-07-27
CHAPTER TX
A Question Of Diplomacy.

A Question OF Diplomacy.
They had been a roaring, unruly lot
forward until Beluche. as second Of
ficer. with Bohon and Nez Coupe, had
brought discipline, at times with the
watches were picked and the mess or
ganized, and the desultory plundering
of stores and the finery left in disor-
der by the gentlemen crew of the Ma
poleon ship was sternly stopped. In
deed, three fellows who had set-to
with the rum at once. were in the brig
by nightfall; and a trio more had
broken heads. But when the Captain
Jean, with Monsieur de AlmoEaster and
Dominique, went on inspection during
the second watch, they were greeted
with cheerful and subdued respect.
The former second officer Of the
Black Petral muttered to his chief.
"There be sixty-four in all. Some
old artilierymen of Jackson's day at
Chalmette; some fo'cas'le lads who've
sailed wi David Porter and WI Deca-
tur against the Tripolitans; some es-
and there be a score of our old fell
lows, Jean. Men Of Grand Terre. and
of Galveston Island, some WI the
Presidents pardon-some not"
The gaunt. shifty-eyed John Crack
ley. stepped from the line. 1--WE have
made bold to ask. sir-under what
flag this ship"
rumble of laughter stopped him.
Aft. by the captains companion. hung
stiff. painted banner already fraying
in the gale. And by 1t. fast asleep,
sprawled the artist-jester who had
painted the thing to amuse the city
of the Creoles.
But Lafitte stopped the levity. I'VE
shall attend to that. We are on ven
ture the end of which will be dis
closed TO you In due time"
But when he had dismissed them to
quarters, old Beluche voiced his
doubts. mot a ruffian of them all
but thinks we are privateering again.
AS to Napoleon, they would roar with
laughter; and as to this rescue of the
English woman, well-you can lead
them to that. but 1t is plumber that is
In their minds"
The chief looked thoughtfully at De
Aimonaster. When they sat again over
their brandy and coffee In the tapes
tried luxury Of the emperor's suite,
the young man adverted to II.
1--WE have the excuse, sir, that
MndemoIselle Lestron was unlawfully
seized out of the city. Only violent
action could save her. She must ex-
plain the mystery of her abduction to
clear us with the admiralties-"
1.-THE watch already reports vessel
making SOUTH" grunted BeIuche. "And
the Genaron Will be clumsy lout In
weather that this clipper loves. The
mists kept the Englishman hid in the
passes, but out to sea we can pick him
up at our pleasure"
Old Dominique twirled his thumbs
upon his stomach. He had declined
to take any active part in the ships
hurried organization, pleading his govt
and corpulence. but they had gibed
him well.
''If trouble comes of it--as 1t WILL"
grinned Beluche sourly. you will still
be the worthy councillor of New Or
leans, Ell? Pummeled aboard and Off
against your will Ho, Dominiquel"
"And you may yet need an honest
to plead your cause" re-
.orted Dominique. "And you get your
selves into admiralty court, the big
wigs will be hard to convince this is
lot open lawless piracy. The Captain
Teams love-affairs-eh, well Can you
get an advocate to speak them to the
of Jamaica, or even In
Charleston or New York p
A lanky tousled form came Keeling
lnder the rocking cabin lamp.
"a magistrate - chuckled Jarvis, "the |
UNI, old gabbler-that is the prime /
Since when did Domi-
lique mewl of the lawsY
"Be still, Jarvis !" said Lafitte, this
S a serious council. The lady Of the \