Part 9 (1/2)
We had not been long at anchor, when in the evening a boat came off, manned by natives, with three Spaniards in her The captain received them very politely, and introduced thehly pleased, and said they had colish vessels visiting the coast for the purpose of landing goods free of the high duties imposed on them by the Spanish Government As many pieces of cloth and cotton as could be found were shown to them as samples The captain told theoods should be ready for them
Mr Falconer, when he heard of the shameful trick which it was proposed to play the unfortunate Spaniards, was very indignant, and I believe would have warned the what he had said, backed by Lieutenant Pyke and one of the other officers, declared that he would shoot hi the night, two boats ca a large supply of dollars On going down below, great was their dis that they were prisoners, and that, when released, they would have to leave their oods
In the , another boat appeared with two ether, ten thousand dollars were thus stolen fro the laws of their country,” observed dick to me, ”and they deserve punishs; but if Mr Pyke is as good as his word, and was to land with his marines and attack the town, it would be more shi+p-shape and honourable”
I mention the circu systeht in those days
A suspicious sail appearing in the offing, the Spaniards were allowed to go on shore, though Lieutenant Pyke declared that if he had his way they should all have been made to pay a heavy ransom first The anchor was hove up, and we stood out to sea We were becaler As evening approached, a breeze springing up, she neared us, with a black flag flying from her peak From the cut of her sail and the appearance of her hull, she was an English vessel, fully as large, if not larger, than the _Dolphin_; but there could be no doubt of her character--she was a pirate The druive her a warers and Kitty were sent down into the cockpit, where they ht be out of harer could be seen gliding towards us through the thickening gloom dick took me up and carried me to them, in spite of my entreaties to be allowed to see the fun
”It will be no fun, Charley, if yonder scoundrels do as they intend, and try to take the shi+p,” he re, and a shot o, whether you like it or not”
Kitty took my hand and drew me towards her as soon as I appeared, thankful that I was not to be exposed to danger
”I should think the little braton an aers ”Why should he be more petted than the other boys?”
”No, no!” cried Kitty, holding er than they are, and it would be cruel to let hi hurt”
We waited for sohtened, and Kitty too anxious, to do so At length there caun fired from the other vessel, followed by louder, clearer reports of several discharged by the _Dolphin_ The enereater number, and several broadsides were soon afterwards rapidly exchanged between the co now ceased We waited alain
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ATTACK ON THE SPANISH HIDALGO
As no wounded ht beloe trusted that the _Dolphin_ was having the best of it At last I begged Kitty to leton
”No, no, Charley,” she answered ”They ;” but I saw that she was very anxious herself to learn the state of affairs
”I will be back again in afrouns, with the rattle of htwent on with redoubled vigour, and cries and shouts reached our ears The alarers increased
”O dear, O dear!” she cried out, wringing her hands ”If Podgers was to be hit, ould beco
”Do let me run up, Kitty,” I said ”Some of those we care fortheo,” said Mrs Podgers ”I do so want to kno the captain is”
I broke from her and climbed up the ladder I was as active as alanterns which hung against the bulwarks shed their light across it, and showed me several human forms stretched out uns, while the officers stood about here and there aure, but I looked in vain for Mr Falconer I ran forward in hopes of finding hiot nearly to the forecastle when the ed a shower of shot ca across the deck
Iblocks, and the horrible din of battle, to the forecastle, where, to uns dick at the saht of me
”Charley,” he exclaimed, ”what business have you here? Go back, boy, and tell the ladies we are all right, and will , if we don't take her”