The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-05-07
CHAPTER II
The One-Legged Man and the
Irish Maid.

for several hours In checking over the
needs of our trading stations with Pc
ter Corlaer, so that it was the middle
of the forenoon before was able to
leave the counting room to go aboard
Captain Farraday's ship and concert
with her people the Tightening of that
portion of the cargo which was des-
tined for our warehouse.
Darby McGraw eyed me so visit
fully when l took my hat that sent
him TO the kitchen to secure a bag
of fresh-killed chickens and winter
greens, knowing such food would be
welcome to sailors after long voy-
age, and babe him carry it to the
dock
We walked down Pearl street to
Broad street, where the landing basin
indents the land; and l was passing
on, with intent to secure a wherry
from the foot of Whitehall street to
row me out to the Bristol packet, when
Darby drew my attention to the soar
ing masts and tangled cordage of a
great ship lying at anchor in the East
river anchorage.
"'Tis a frigate, Master Robert" he
exclaimed.
There was no mistaking the rows of
painted gun-ports and the solid bull
warks; and for moment l fancied
Commodore Burrage had anticipated
our needs. Then the flag at her miz-
zen truck rippled out, and l beheld
the red-and-gold banner of Spain.
"D'ye suppose he hath come after
the pirate?" whispered Darby, all
agog.
mot he" I answered, laughing.
"'Tis a Spaniard, and he and his kid
ney are not hungry for pirate gore.
But look, Darby! There's another
strange vessel-beyond the frigate."
/ pointed to battered little brig
with patched and dirty sails and
spatter of white showing in her black
painted hull where round shot had
sent the splinters flying.
"And he hath seen the pirates, or
] am amiss," / added. 'His escape
must have been exceeding narrow"
Darby's eyes waxed as large as
cats in the dark.
"Whurra, whurra, do but look at
the shot hole in the side of himI 'Tis
he will have made noble prayer.
And now will We mock me for saying
there are pirates abroad, Master Rob-
ert?"
Not ], Darby Yon fellow has been
closer to death than 1 like to think
Of" / answered.
''NUF there was as true a word as
ever was heard spoke" proclaimed
pleasant voice behind me. "And
shows most unaccountable under
standing and humanitee, so it do, see
ing as there's precious few landsmen
as stop to figger out the chances a
poor sailor must take and never
thankee from his owners nor aught
but curses from his skipper, like as
not. True as true, young gentleman.
/ makes you my duty, and says as
how, seeing was one of them vouch-
safed miraculous salvation, hopes
you'll permit me to offer my most
humble thanks"
/ swung around to scrutiniZe the
owner of the voice and saw a hand
some, open-faced man In the prime of
life, big and strong of his body, but
with only one leg. The other, the
left, had been Topped off high up near
the hip, and he supported himself
upon long crutch of very fne-carved
hardwood = mahogany, I afterward
discovered. This crutch he employed
with all the dexterity Of his missing
limb.
While / looked at him and he was
first speaking he hoped up beside me
with confidential air that was very
flattering to young man and i'm
pressed Darby even more.
Are you from the brig yonder?" 1
asked curiously.
AYE, aye, young gentleman, am !;
and one Of the miserable sinners as
was saved by an inscrootable Provi-
dence as takes no account o. mems
deserts, just or unjust, as the preach
ers' sayin' is. Out Of Barbaders,
am, in the brig Constant. Name o.
Silver, sir-John, says my sponsors In
baptism.
But my mates most generally calls
me Barbecue count o. my being held
a monstrous fine cook. And there's
tale to that, young sir. All, yes
This weren't the first time suffered
at the hands o. them pirates that