D'Artagnan, the King Maker — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

The Messenger. 93 ensign which thas no meaning to me. They are at war again—for this is an act of war!” “Or of gallantry! If that is a crippled ship, to inter- vene on behalf of the stranger is fine!” declared the officer of fortune. The Messier passed between the galleys, but fired in passing, and continued tto fire from stern-guns in the cabin after drawing off. The Spanish brigantine came into range thereby, and the two exchanged. shots, in- effectual on account of the heaving sea. The galleys showed a confused, struggling mass in the midships, like a knot of snakes. The oarsmen had been hit hard. They fell off; the banks of oars were short- ened, bodies ‘were thrown over, and they headed round as for San Sebastian. eee: of oars, the chance of reaching that port was sug nt. Not to share the fate of the unknown enemy, their bows ‘were turned seaward, but the wind and the wash kept them southeastward. The Spanish brigantine found the shooting wild, hauled in the guns, closed the ports, secured the long guns, and, keeping more out to the sea than the galleys, sped along; but returned from time to time, as if to make sure that the disappeared vessel should not be joined by the Frenchman. This last had other work to do. Strained, as Pedro ‘had perceived, the shock of the guns had further injured ther. In a kind of despair, which induces human beings to try to die together, she steered for the poor XipMias, now a-wash. Perhaps, though, it was to assist her with its boats, which, it could be seen, were being got ready for launch- ing. The Xtphias showed hardly any freeboard by this. “She is buoyed up by what comes in Delow,” com- mented Pedro, grimly. “I am as likely to sit in that cabin again as in St. Peter’s chair.” “Our boat, I think, is gone,’ observed the amateur seaman, timidly. “Long ago, my gentleman! If those spars will not make a catamaran, it will be because they shall have been Eomichbooks (CO)