Adventure, January 20, 1922 — page 44: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

wit music at her forefoot. Except for the dan-' gerous list from the guns, not yet hauled over to their proper places, she was as snugly under control as it was possible to get her in the midst of the reefs she had to navigate. Goliath and his men had effec- tually split up the followers of Kestral, as a modern policeman splits up a crowd, and only isolated knots of men still fought, snarling like wolves. “ll bark when ’tis time,” cried Davies. He was listening intently for sounds that would indicate the whereabouts of the king’s ship, and fancied he heard the creaking of yards and the tumble of bow wave not far away; but the night had gone black when the shaving of silver moon dipped over the land, and the stars were coy. But he felt the swing of the-sea underfoot, and only feared that other feeling which would ap- prise him of solid ground at the keel again. “Into the chains wi you, Carr!” he called. “Lee side. Sing out as often as y’ can, lad. “Goliath! Rig me upa tall mast in the jollyboat and hang a lanthorn on’t. Bring it to the lee side, and light the lanthorn. Tumble Kestral and as many of his dogs as she’ll hold into the boat, too. By the lord o’ —— he wanted to take my ship to seek the king’s pardon, I'll treat him hand- somely, by the Great Horn Spoon—give him a craft o’ his own, and let him go seek his own pardon.” Cay “Keep her full, Nell. Full an’ by, if she won’t lie the course I gave ye. Rap full, lass—that’s you!” “T thought I made out white water ahead—”’ cried Nell sharply as she hove up the great wheel. As she spoke the ship struck rock with a shudder, staggered, and plunged on as the great sails filled again. “What says the lead, Carr?” yelled Davies. ‘What a plague’s the matter wi’ that lead?” ‘‘New line; ain’t marked,” swore Carr with lurid embellishments concerning Span- ish seamanship. The plop of the lead was heard, and then the shout— “No bottom at more’n ten fadom!”’ The lead plopped down again; but Davies was. taking chances, and waited for no more. ‘“‘How’s she heading full and by, Nell?” “Southeast by south.” THE great topsails flapped heavily. Adventure “Steady as ye go then. Haste with that boat and gear, Goliath. What in the fiend’s name’s come o’ the cruiser? D’ye see him, any o’ yer? I'll give a fistful 0’ gold to the man as sights him.”’ ‘““Ah’ll seek him soon’s dis yar party gits launched,” said Goliath, lashing a big lan- thorn to the top of a tall boat mast and lighting it. Into the boat Kestral and a dozen of his misguided followers were pitched, some bound, the rest hurt in the scrimmage be- yond any possibility of present action. “Now turn ’em adrift!” chuckled Davies, and the light went sailing away astern as the fast moving ship thrust it off on her own broad lee wave. _'The moment the light floated clear, far out in the windward darkness flashed the warship’s gun again, and the shot could be heard whistling across the stern of the Cadiz: “No bottom!” sang out Steve Carr, swinging his lead mechanically, holding no faith in the fear of more shallow waters, but very sincerely disgusted with Davies in that he had permitted his ship to be fired upon and hit, his men killed, with never a shot in retaliation. ‘Why he ain’t spread a tar-barrel flare abroad’s more than I can fathom,” Davies mused, joining Nell at the wheel and calling a seaman to relieve her. ‘““Ah’ll soon tell ye whar she is, cappen, soon’s she bangs off anudder gun,” cried Goliath, already half-way up the main lower rigging. To give him every assistance, apparently, the cruiser barked again, and now she registered a hit indeed, for the anthorn astern-leaped high in air, and went out like a snuffed candle, while the crash of the jollyboat’s planking, and the howled im- precations and pleadings of Kestral and his men filled the air above the singing of canvas and cordage. Faintly down the wind came the sound of lusty cheering. At last the king’s gunner had seen tangible evidence that their shots at a venture were on the target. “Can ye make out how she heads?” Davies called aloft. “No, sar. Dat gun was fired from de udder bow dat time.” Goliath was silent for a moment, while every ear aboard the Cadiz listened keenly for sounds to guide their understanding. - COMplcooo cS (C@)