The Boy Captain of the Black Swallow — page 26: what you’re looking at

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04 pron back? He would not go to law; eould ie?” “No; but what are you aiming at, Bissey ?” *T was thinking that we might have the twenty thousand as well as they, after we get it into our possession. There is no usein tak- ing the trouble to carry it to Harpswell, as I see. The sea is broad, and there are other places in the States besides Harpswell.” “) think I understand you. You propose that we run off with vessel and money after we land our cargo on board the British ships ?” “Yes.” “Then the matter is fixed. We shall just be serving old Sapping and his partners right, for they have had no business in fitting out a vessel to sell provisions to the enemy.” This conversation took place over the head of the tiller and out of hearing of the crew. Tothem Thurrel now communicated his project. It met with a unanimous approval, and, elated by his prospect of wealth, he returned and took his place by Bissey at the helm. ‘he schooner now was moving on at about six knots, with everything drawing. Her course was E. by §. Seguin bore northward about a mile distant. Thurrel took his glass and surveyed the sea before the vessel's course, After afew min- utes’ close observation, he turned quickly to Bissey, and cried: “There is a sail ahead, lam confident, but whether far or near, frigate or sloop, I can’t yet make it out!” ‘Then we are near the end of our voyage,” said Bissey. “Let me take the glass an in- stant; perhaps lam more used, captain, than you are to Jooking out at night.” “Take it. It looks to me like a vessel very near.” “JT gan see it now plainly with the naked eye,” said Bissey, “It is not half a mile off, Perhaps it is the frigate’s #ender in waiting for us.” Bissey put the helm down so as to steer more directly for the strange vessel, which it was now clear was a small schooner, carrying a. gaff-topsail, and either lying to or running snug to the wind, CHAPTER X., LYING IN WAIT, \ RTHUR, in the schooner, after running A out of the river and getting a suitable offing, hove his craft to, and lay in wait- ing for the expected schooner. He had every- thing prepared for attacking her by boarding. Two grapnels were fitted with ropes firmly bent on to them for the purpose of being cast on board and holding her, and a small kedge was hoisted into the fore-rigging, and suspended about five feet from the deck, rigged so as to be drawn to windward and then let loose to swing aboard the schooner and fall upon her deck with a firm bold. Every weapon was — — THE BOY CAPTAIN OF THE “BLACK SWALLOW.” prepared with the nicest care, and laid ready for instant use, Each man was individually instructed in the part required of him. “ You will be guided wholly by my voice and movements,” said Arthur, in that tone of dig- nified command which had already secured the respect of hig party, whose confidence in his courage and prudence was complete. “We shall lie here and wait until the schooner comes out; She will pass this way, and directly in range. ‘This was part of Sapping’s instruc- tions to Thurrel, the British frigate lying about a league to the south-west. It is my intention to run her aboard, “TT will take the helm myself, and lay her alongside upon the starboard bow. You will, the moment she touches, cast the grapnels and let the kedge swing full upon her deck. As she will be under strong headway, the shock will doubtless do our craft great injury, if not sink her, we are so small. You will, therefore, at once leap on board and fight them on their own decks, leaving the schooner to take care of herself. Once upon her decks, we shall have little difficulty in getting possession of her, as we shall take them completely by sur- prise. No life is to be taken except in abso- lute self-defence. Let the achievement be without any bloodshed, if possible; but at all events let it be done! You will board with your pistols in your belts, and cutlasses in hand. Thurrel’slife must be spared, for lhave my own punishment for him.” They had been about an hour in their position, when Jerry, who was looking out to leeward, came up to Arthur and silently pointed to the southward, ‘‘ What do you see, Jerry ?” “] tink I see a vessel, massa.” Arthur levelled a glass which he had pur- chased for the expedition in the direction which Jerry pointed out, and was able to separate from the darkness the faint outlines of a large square-rigged vessel. “It isan Englishman! Let go the halyards fore and aft!” he eried. “ An English brig is standing westward not a mile distant! “She is under topsails, with her courses hauled up and spanker set,” said Arthur, so that all could hear him; for the men, in their deep interest in the discovery, bad all thronged aft and were watching the brig, which could be made out by the unaided eye, her position cnee known, though faintly, as she moved slowly along like a shadowy sprite of the vasty deep. Gradually she disappeared in the darkness to the westward, without having been aware of the neighbourhood of the schooner. “Tf ig one of the blockading squadron, doubtless, steering for Portland,” said Arthur. “ We have had a fortunate escape. One mile further out to sea and we should have been in her track! We can put canvas on again, my friends, for she is fairly out of sight. We rust be in free steering trim when the schooner comes in view. Man the halyards fore and aft!” oO COTMiclooc S (©) 5}