The Argosy, Vol. 75, No. 4 — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

SAILING WITH MORGAN. ran down the coast gaily enough, hoping that some Spanish vessel along the coast would venture out into the jaws of the lion. None came, how- ever, and we finally dropped our an- chors in the little bay and waited for our consorts. Day after day passed and the ships did not arrive. It was the hurricane season, and there had been much rough weather, which may have accounted for the delay; but, nevertheless, every day that passed lessened our hopes of intercepting the plate-fleet, and with it our chance of gaining prize-money. Finally, seeing that no good could come of any further delay, Morgan called a final council. It was held on board of our vessel, and’ I was called upon to write down what took place. Two small vessels were ordered to be left in the island to inform our con- sorts on their arrival to hasten north to Savona, whence we could make our attack on the Spanish convoy. It was while that council was still in the cabin that, happening to glance through the windows of the open quarter-gallery, I saw the topsails of a large vessel showing above the hori- zon. “There they come, gentlemen,” I said, I can see now those grim-faced fighting captains as they gathered in the quarter - gallery speculating upon the character of the incoming vessel. She swept in from sea a royal sight, with every stitch of canvas set alow and aloft, and bringing the sea-wind with her as she came. . Then very swiftly her yards were manned and every thread of canvas was furled as spontaneously as a bird folds her wings, in true man-of-war fashion. There was no singing such as is customary aboard merchant craft. A big ship she was, of perhaps five hundred tons, and she was pierced for eight-guns on a side in her main-deck batteries, besides heavy carronades upon her poop. I saw Dillon—he was captain of the 863 Bona Esperanza—smile into his beard as he watched the stranger come to an anchor. No sooner had she brought up to her anchor than we had a boat in the water, and Morgan, with Dillon and Hetherington, were set aboard her. They were met by her captain, a French gentleman whose name I have forgotten, very polite as to his man- ner and most exquisite as to his clothes, whereby he might have given us les- sons, and on his invitation they went down into the cabin. I remained on deck so that I heard but little of what was said save such disjointed chatter as floated up through the open transoms. “TI can promise you,” says Morgan, “good fighting if we meet the Span- iard, as well as gold and wine, for they carry both, if you will join us. You have a fine vessel, sir, and a large crew, and it is easy to see that they have been well trained.” “ Mats non, monsieur. C'est impos- possible. It cannot be. I am a priva- teer,” replied the Frenchman with a bow. “ And under special orders from my owners I am bound to enter into no partnerships nor to make any joint cruises save in European waters, and I am ordered to cruise for single ves- sels of the enemy. Not even to enter into free companionship with such a gentleman as yourself can I disobey my orders. Steward, bring wine and tobacco.” Ofi the way back to our own ship the four captains fell silent, eying covetously the fine lines of the French- man and openly envying him his tiers - of guns. With her to aid them, their chances would be increased from four to seven in ten. As the boat swung up alongside the Black Prince and hooked on to her mizzen chains, Hetherington spoke in a low voice to Morgan. “‘ Send the boat back,” he said, “‘ and ask the officers of the Frenchman to dine with us to-night, and let some of our old hands go aboard of her to talk Eomichbooks (E)