The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-08
CHAPTER XVII

The Gary Gull, by means of the sweeps, was held poiced like rest less bird in the darkness while the long boat was lowered away. In the boat were Jerry Whitfield and F volunteers, hastily chosen. He had said to the crew, "Those that go with me will get no more in prize money than those that stand by in the Gul. Let that be understood" {" Yet many had clamored to go. It was very heartening. These 12 who accompanied him were Americans, all, each with a crow to pick with England. Revenge, it seemed, could flick as keen a whip as greed or pa triotiSm.
 According to plan, the Gray Gull again ran out to sea dis tance and stood by.
 The long boat was rowed to the merchant ships stern. Now the great hulk loomed and lowered above them. The OarSmen held the boat pressed to the hulls great timbers while Jerry Whitfield stood on a thwart and grasped a piece of loose tackle that hung from the ships stern like a ribbon on an untidy woman's bonnet. By means of this he hauled himself aloft, gaining foothold here and there by any means afforded |.
 His moccasined feet came si- lently over the taffrail, and now he stood on the quarter-deck be- hind the slouching helmsman. It was true, that thing they had ob- served from the Gull; the quarter deck was deserted except for the man at the wheel, and he was none too keen. A rum bottle stood beside him on the deck
 Jerry Whitfield seized and hound this man, gagging him against outcry. He felt no pride in his achievement, for the fellow had forfeited half his strength and wits to rum. Jerry abused the lantern and looked down onto the main deck. He counted a score If sailors prostrated from drink and possibly 10 that were still active. The watch was late one. All others had evidently gone be- low to forecastle quarters. No officer was visible, either.
 Armed with this knowledge he vent astern and signaled his men 10 come aboard. This they did, each man drawing another after him like stealthy Inidans taking q stockade. AS the last man left the long boat it bobbed away in the darkness, the symbol and the reality of retreat now beyond reach. Jerry, seeing it go, uttered \ smothered exclamation of con- cern. And yet, what matter? They must take this ship or fail
 Delay would be deadly. Jerry put one of his men at the wheel. With the others he stood for 8 moment at the turn of the quarter-deck while they picked their opponents on the main deck.
 The events that followed were as swift as vengeance and as brutal as warfare. The 12 Amer jeans rushed upon the English sailors, overpowered them and herded them into forecastle quar- ters like so many sacks of meal, throwing them, showing them, pitching them with 8 sort of glee- full exhibition. This accom- plished, they closed the matches and secured them with the locks that they found there. The locks were stout, as English locks were always stout against the chance of mutiny at sea.
 A shot had been fired, no call piped. There had been only the subdued, repressed noise of men in bodily combat, scuffling, thud- ding, falling. Jerry ran up to the auarter-deck and stood at the opening of the companionway. He had not long to wait, and it was no hero's work that followed. Several of his men had joined him; as the officers emerged they were overpowered and herded down the ladder they had just ascended. There were but four of ' them, and the captain was their spokesman.
 Who are you?" he shouted at Jerry.
 "First mate of 8 privateer, sir. American"
 "Pirates!"
 T disagree, sir. We carry let ter of marque from President Madison. This is an old custom in warfare. England helped make the rules. A good game if you know how to play it. We're learn ing They were divesting the in- fslriated officers of their weapons. we bid you good night, sirs," " Jerry said. My men and I bid you good night" He spoke without malice or triumph, but with satis- faction.
 s'This is preposterous,' said the lieutenant who was second in command. Its beyond reason. were just off the coast of Eng