The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-07-09

ing us promptly flung down their
arms, glad of the excuse to quit the
fight; but the wolves of the James
crew were not schooled TO show
mercy. and they killed three poor fell
lows before Peter and l could knock
up their cutlasses.
Murray's whistle blew a second
time. There was sudden hush, pune
tuated by the grinding of the two ves-
sells, the thudding Of unshod feet as
more of the James pirates dropped
aboard the treasure ship, the gagging
cries of the wounded, the nasal sing
song Of a priest pattering Latin
prayers.
i seized the opportunity to look
around. We were too close under the
poop to see what went on beyond the
rail directly overhead; but the main
deck, fore and aft, was pitiful spec
tacle-cluttered with wreckage and
dead men and bits of men and wo-
men wounded in every conceivable
fashion, its yellow-sand carpet
gemmed with carmine pools and rivu-
lets.
I My great-uncle, as immaculate as
when he had assembled the James bull
warks, stood a little ahead Of the mass
of his followers, his serene face and
rich clothing in startling contrast with
their nakedness and frank brutality.
A trickle of blood dripped from the
point Of his slender sword. His at
titude was that Of an honorable man
who wishes to be reasonable in a diff
ficult situation.
81 believe / heard an appeal for
quarter" he said quietly.
"Sir, you did," replied O'Donnell.
81 have spoken for the gentleman be-
side me, Senior Don Ascanio de Hur-
tado Custa, who is captain Of this
vessel"
81 am honored, SIR" returned my
great-uncle. "And yourselfY
O'Donnell did not altogether relish
the playing of his part. He bit his
lip and hestitated an instant before
he answered.
II am Colonel O'Donnell, an officer
In the service Of his Most Catholic
Majesty"
"Ah; and what can I do for yeu,
gentlemen?" inquired my great-unche
O'Donnell hesitated again and con-
ferred with the Spanish officer.
"Sir," he said then, Don Ascanic
asks you by me: Since when have
your country and Spain been at WARP
ITO the best Of my knowledge, they
are not at this present" my great
uncle answered blandly.
Then to what cause must me at.
tribute his-this-ah- unwarrantable
attack" demanded O'Donnell.
Il am afraid" replied my great
uncle almost with sorrow, "that 1 am
unable to satisfy your curiosity upon
that point"
The Spaniard burst into a declara
ton of passionate intensity, which
Murray interrupted.
II am so fortunate as to compre
bend the noble Spanish tongue" he
said. would you be so kind, Colonel
O'Donnell, as to acquaint your friend
with the fact, and to assure him that
regret he must accept the situation
as 1t stands? l am DESTROYS of spar
ing the lives Of those of his people
who survive, but at a pinch l viii
STAY them all to compass my inten
ton"
"And what is that?" asked O'Don
nell
"To relieve Don Ascanio Of the con
signment Of treasure he carries" an
swered my great-uncle. 'When 1t 1.
aboard my ship he shall be at liberty
to continue his voyage"
O'Donnell proceeded haltingly tt
translate this statement He never
finished 1t. The Spaniard Launched
a fresh torrent Of curses, broke hi.
sword across his knee and tossed TIT
pieces oversize. My great-uncle nod
ded alphabetically.
"'Tis an unpleasant plight, 1 know,
he said. "Had Don Ascanio not dis
carded his sword I should have beer
delighted to yield him an opportunit!
for such satisfaction as one gentle
man may give another.
"HoweverII must stipulate further
Colonel O'Donnell, that the crew o.
the Santissima Trinidad shall b,
placed in confinement for 80 long al
suits my purpose. Any resistance
must cause additional bloodshed
which, 1 am sure, you will agree il
unnecessary"
"Don Ascanio will say no more,
returned O'Donnell. "He washes hi
hands of the whole proceeding
Abandoned by his crew"
Enough" interrupted my great
| uncle.
He ratified off a sentence in Spanish
and there was an answering rattl,
| of arms thrown on the deck. III,
spoke again, and the Santissima TRIM
dads men all shifted to starboard ant
marched into the fo'csle, herded by ;
bristle of pirate cutlasses.
| Murray walked aft to where Pete
and l stood, uncertain what to d,
| next.
Have you seen herr" he asked.
ST think she is ia that group o
priests and nuns under the stern Ian
| thorn" l said.
He compressed his lips, habit h,
| had whenever he must turn to som,
| task he did not overly, care for.
"'Tis a trick / shall find as dis
| tasteful as O'Donnell did our colloqu!
| Just now" he said shortly. But W,
| must be about 1t without delay. Oul
| cannonade will have been hear(