The Argosy, Vol. 75, No. 4 — page 162: what you’re looking at

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

864 to his crew of what we had at the ta- king of Porto Bello on the last raid.” Morgan’s eyes gleamed as he gave the order, and I went below, feeling sure that trouble was brewing for the Frenchman. The dinner given that night in the state cabin of the Black Prince began as a formal dinner, but ended as a wild carousal, Our officers came in state, every man clad in his best apparel; many wearing rings and golden chains, and using every pretext to talk of the last expedition, such as: “ Yes, sir ’— this was from Nettleton, the first offi- cer of the Osprey—* the place was rich, and I had this ” — pulling from his pocket a great gold watch as big as an apple which was literally encrust- ed with rich jewels—‘ to say nothing of seven thousand crowns.” This was true enough, for his matelot had been killed, so that Nettle- ton had both shares. ‘ And for what? For sailing on a six days’ trip over a summer sea, with two days’ fighting thrown in at the end of it. Can you do better, monsieur, with a single ship?” The Frenchman laughed and looked covetously at the rich jewelry that our men displayed. Four sentries clanked | past me and took post by the door of the cabin, but I paid no especial atten- tion to them, for I was trying to hear the talk at the far end of the table, where Morgan and the French captain were having high words. At first I thought it was perhaps due to the wine that they had drunk, hut a speech of Morgan’s soon showed me- _ that it was but a part of a well-con- cocted plan, “No, monsieur,; the case lies thus. I have been informed that you stopped an English ship upon the high seas and that you took from her certain stores of food and water—”’ ‘““T was short of both,” broke in the Frenchman. | “You did not pay for them, mon- sieur,” ‘T gave them bills of exchange upon my agent in Jamaica—” THE ARGOSY. “Aye, aye. So you did, but the agent promptly dishonored the bills, so the Englishman lost his goods and received no payment for them. Our two nations are at peace, and more than that, for both of them are at war with Spain. It was an unfriendly act, sir, which I will now give the chance to mend by coming with me on this venture! ”’ The Frenchman refused and_ sat back in silence. All talk had ceased about the table, and the four sentries who were in the cabin took post behind the Frenchmen, Morgan learied forward in his chair, a set smile upon his face. “ Then, if you will not go, gentlemen, I must tell you that your ship goes, if necessary under our own officers, I shall be more than glad to entertain you gentlemen on board my own ship.” There was no possibility of mistake in his intention, The French officers swore excitedly. “Send word aboard the Frenchman that their captain has changed his mind, and that they will join their for- tunes with ours and sail with us at day- break,” said Morgan, | The news was received with cheers and shouts of approval, and there was no longer any doubt of the wishes of the French crew. It was evident that the men who had gone aboard the stranger to excite the cupidity of his crew by making a show of their own wealth had done their work well. The revelry kept up till late, when the French officers were transshipped to Morgan’s own ship, and it was two bells in the morning watch when I at last found my way to my cabin. I had not got fairly into my berth when I was thrown violently off my feet by the thunder of a heavy explo- sion that seemed to heave the Black Prince bodily from the water. A silence of even more frightful im- port followed; then a soft patter as of objects falling on our decks and in the water around us. Horror-stricken, I sprang for the Gomichbooks (©) may ge eg A gee a ig NE le Ye CE a a ee ks, ee im