The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-03-04
8, RACHEL MACK

Yesterday: At sea, Jerry and
Banks attack a British merchant
man, their first chance at prize
of war. And at home, Polly bears
q son for Jerry.
CHAPTER XXVlI
The Gray Gull, by means OF the
sweeps, WAS held poised like a
restless bird in the darkness while
the long boat was lowered away.
In the boat were Jerry Whitfield
and II volunteers, hastily chosen.
He had said TO the crew, Those
that 90 with me Will get no more
in prize money than those that
stand BY in the Gull. Let that be
understood" Yet many had clam
ored TO 40. 1t was very hearten
inc. These IL who accompanied
him were Americans, all, each
with a crow to pick with England.
Revenge, il seemed, could flick as
keen whip as greed or patriot
ism.
According TO plan, the Gray
Gull again ran out to sea dis
lance and stood by.
The long boat was rOwed to the
merchant ships stern. Now the
great hulk doomed and lowered
above them. The OarSmcn held
the boat pressed to the hulPS
great timbcrs while Jerry Whit
XII TOD IN q, tl,,,..,,t apl ,.,.ac,
ed i piece of loose tackle that
hung from the ships stern like u
ribbon on an untidy woman's bon
net. BY means Of this ne hauled
himself aloft, gaining foothold
here and there by any means at
fOrded.
His muccaSincd feet came ST.
lently over the taffrail, and now
ne StOcd on the quarterback be-
hind The slouchmg helmsman. 1t
was true. that thing they had OBJ
served from the Gull: the quarter
deck was deserted except for the
man 1T the wheel, and he was
none too keen. A rum bottle
stood beside him on the deck. .
Jerry Whitfield seized and
bound this man, gagging him
against outcry. He felt no pride
in his achievement, tor the fellow
had forfeited half his strength
and wits to run. Jerry dOused the
lantern and looked down onto the
main deck He counted score
of sailors Frustrated from drink
and poSSibl, 10 that were still
active. The watch was Il late one.
All others had evidently gone be-
low TO forecaStle quarters. No
officer was visible, either.
Armed with this knowledge he
went astcrn and SigHalcd mis- men
to come aboard. This they did,
each man drawing. another after
him like Stcalthy Indians taking
4 st0ckadc. As the last man left
the long boat it bobbed away in
the darkness, the symbol and the
reality of Il retreat now beyond
reach. Jerry, seeing it go, uttered
a SmOthered exclamation of con-
Germ 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 a
moment at the turn of the quar-
ter-deck while they picked their
opponents on the main deck.
The events that followed were
as swift as vengeance and as bru-
tai as warfare. The II Americans
rushed upon the English sailors,
overpOwered them and herded
them into forecaStle quarters like
so many sacks of meal, throwing
them, showing them, pitching
them with a sort of gleeful ex-
filtration. This accomplished, they
closed the matches and secured
them with the locks that they
found there. The locks were
stout, as English locks-were al
ways stout against the chance OF
mutiny at sea.
No shot had been fired, no cal!
piped. There had been only the
subdued, repressed noise of men
in bodily combat, scuffling, thud-
ding, falling. Jerry ran up to the
quarterback 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
assembled. There were but four OF
them, and the captain was their
spokesman.
Who are yOu?" ne shouted al
Jerry.
First mate off privateer, sir
American"
Pirates"