Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-08-23

life; and to no human means"
Harydon looked down and was silent. AT
length clapping his hand to his forehead: 4" DO
you not recollect." said he, "the young man
who begged SO hard TO be admitted on board,
while we lay in the cove 30
"Yes, sir" said Barry, starting. "there is
a resemblance"
"I saw not his face" said Harrydon, "but
his dress and appearance is certainly the
same
"He must then have belonged to the ship"
said Barry.
"No, saw him not amongst the prison.
ers.''
"The wounded!" said Barry
"Nor there ''-replied the youth.
"By Heaven, it's very strange" eaid the
old man.
"I fear he was lost overheard" said Har-
rydon, " but it is a most singular affair."
A consultation was next held in regard to
the best mode of disposing of the prisoners.
Upon the quarterback were assembled the
Captain, Barry, and the more experienced sea-
men. while the remainder of the crow crowd
ed mid-ships to hear their sentence.
The prisoners-with their hands bound
we're placed in the centre, where they fearfully
awaited the decision of their lawess conquer
ors. The old merchant betrayed marks of
great agitation. He turned his eyes upon the
savage crew--in their countenances he beheld
nothing but proud defiance and brutal ferocity.
But when he surveyed the noblo features Of
Harrydon, and saw Grmness, united to generos-
ity and candour depicted there, he hesitated
no longer; but springing forward, threw him
self on his knees before the youth, and, in the
most abject manner besought him to gave his
life. "Spare mo, brave Captain" cried he,
"Spare my life, and will load you with riches!
posses unbounded wealth ,and one half Of my
fortune shall be yours, if you will restore me to
my family and friends! Mercy! mercyl for
Gods sake, show mercy, and he will be mer-
ciful to you"
Harrydon regarded him with a mixture of
pity and disdan. "Await" said he, ".he
decision of the court As regards your wealth,
l want it not; and little experience in this
worlds affairs, has taught me that there is no
keeping faith with coward Supposing you
saw me led to the scaffold, degraded and de-
spised, would you then speak word in my be-
half? No, no, your cowardce has its root in
selfshness; and it is only to preserve your
hat froo oh
respect, the man whom you would gladly see
suspended by halter"
The merchant wrung his hands and casting
his eyes upward cried out in smothered and al
most narticulate zones: "Oh, then, my poor
daughter! my poor daughter!-thy bridal bed
must be wet with thy fathers bloodr'
The iron passed away from the soul Of Har-
rydon. He turned to Barry and whispered
" talks he of daughter?" Barry was ST.
lent,
sold man." cried Harrydon have you a
daughter'"
"Yes, but | shall see her no more"
"By the life OF the injured Caroline,
swear" cried Harrydon with burst Of grief,
"thy daughter shall never have cause to re-
gret that her father fell into the hands of Ed
win Harrydon!"
In rapturous delight, the old man kissed the
hand of the captain, who waved him TO be 81.
lent.
Now began the debate. d" Death! death!
for the rascals" was echoed from every quar-
ter. Even Barry seemed to have steelcd his
heart against compassion and he gave a
silent assent to the voice OF the multitude.
Harrydon arose." My gallant friends"
said he, "We have secured all that is valuable
from the conquered foe-We have rifod them
Of their treasures because we needed them
we have taken their money, because it will be
Of service to us-we have split their blood in
our own defence-we have taken their lives to
preserve our own-But, for what purpose shall
we butcher these defonceless prisoners! we
ards are cruel; but, the brave remember mer-
cy.
"We must kill them," replied dozen vol
ces at once, cor they will betray us! five re-
store them their vessel the first step they will
take, will be to reward our kindness by sending
a cutter after u.s."
"Kindness!'' retorted Harrydon, "coll not
simple act of justice, kindness. That they
have fought against us, 1 acknowledge; bat
respect their bravery, They havc battlcd it in
their own dofence--every man Of honour
would do the same, Lot US then deal fairly by
them; and give them their lives regardless Of
consequences.
"And who will thank us'" cried surly tar,
"will not the halter be our doom whether they
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