The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-09-01
THE DAILY DISPATCH.
THE PILOTS REVENGE.
A SEA SKETCH, BY sYLvAsUs COBB, JR.

SEA SKETCH, BY sYLvANUs COBB, JR.
ltwas towards night on the 2lst of Septem.
ber, 1884. A small English war brig, which
had been fitted out tor the suppression Of
SNUG CLING. was laziiy creeping along over the
heavy, monotonous swells, just off the coast
of Galway, and on her deck was being enacted
a scene OF somewhat more than common in.
terest. The day before she had captured
small boat laden with coniruband articles,
together with an old man and boy, who had
charge Of them; and the Captain Of the brig,
whose name wos Dracutt, had ordered that
the old smuggler should be put in irons. To
this indgnity the old man made a stout re-
sistance, and in the heat of the moment, he had
so far forgotten himself as to strike the Cap
tain blow which laid him upon the deck
endurance, and, in punishment for this of.
fence, the smuggler had been condemned to
die.
A single whip was rove at the starboard
foreyard arm, and all hands were called to
witness the execution. The rope was noosed
and slipped over the cuprit's head, and the
running end was rove through small snatch
block upon the deck. Until this moment not
a word had escaped the lips of the boy. He
trembled as he beheld the awful preparation,
and as the fatal moose was passed and drawn
night, the color forsook his cheeks, and he
sprang forward and dropped upon his knees
Mercy, Sir, mercy
'For whom? asked the officer, while q con.
temptuuus sneer rested upon his lips.
For that old man whom you are about to
kill
He dies, boy
But he is my father, SIR
No matter, if he were my own father; that
man who strikes an English officer while in
the performance ofhis duty, must die
'Buthe was manacled-he was insulted
SIR urged the boy.
'Insultedr repeated the Captain. 'Who in
suited him?'
'You did, SIR replied the boy, while his face
was flushed with indignation.
Get up, sir, and be careful that you do not
get the same treatment said the Captain in a
savage tone.
The old man heard this appeal of his son,
and as the last words droPt from the lips ofhis
captor, he raised his head. and while look of
the utmost defiance passed over his features,
he exclaimed
ASK no favors, Robert. Old Karl Kintock
can die as well now as at any time, let them
do their worst
changed his tone to one of deep supplication,
and said
DO what you please with me, sir, but do
not harm my boy, for he has done no wrong
am ready Tor your sentence, and the sooner
You finish it the BETTER
Lay hold of the whip shouted the Captain.
LAY hold every man of you, and stand by TO
run the villain up.
In obedience to this order, the men ranged
themselves along the deck, and each man laid
hold of the rope. Robert kintock looked first
as his father, and then he ran his eye along the
line ofmen who were to be his executioners.-
But not one sympathising or plying look
could he trace. Their faces were all hard and
cold, and they all appeared anxious to con-
summate their murderous work.
'Whal!' exclaimed the boy, while tear
started from his trembling lid, lis there not one
even, who can pity?'
up with him.! shouted the captain.
Robert buried his face in his hands, ard the
next moment his father was swinging at the
yard arm. He heard the passing rope and the
creaking block, and he knew that he was faith
erless!
Haitian hour afterwards the boy knelt by the
side of CHASTITY corpse, and simple prayer
escaped his lips. Then another low murmur-
ing sound came from his bosom; but none of
those who stood around knew its import. 1t
was deep pledge of revenge!
just as the old mans body slid from the
gangway into the water, vivid flash Of light
ming streamed through the heavens, and in
another minute, the dread artillery of nature
sent forth roar so long and loud that the men
actually placed their hands to their ears to
shut out the deafening roar. Robert kintock
STATED at the sound, and what had caused
dread In others bosoms sent thrill of satls-
faction through his own.
'Oh, rerenge! reUeage" he muftered to HIM
self, as he cast his eyes over the foam'crested
waves which had already risen beneath the
power OF the sudden storm.
The darkness had come as quickly as did the
storm, and all that could be disting guished from
the deck of the brig, save the breaking sea. was
the fearully craggy shore, as flash after flash
OF lie btning illumined the heavens.
Light hon' shouted man forward, and the
next moment all eyes were directed to bright
light which had suddenly flashed up among
the distant rocks.
The wind had now reached its height, and
with its giant power it set the ill.fated brig di-
rectly upon the surf>bound shore of the rocks
and reefs, and every face save one, was blanch-
ed with fear.
In vain did they try to lay the brig to the
wind, but not sail would hold for an instant,
until at length the men managed to get up
q fore and main storm stay sail, and the brig
StUOu u HP o6o"Sa
the heaving sea. But il was evident that even
should she succeed in keeping to the wind, she
must eventually be driven ashore, for the pow
er of the insetling waves was greater than that
OF the wind.
Boy, do you know what light that ISL ask
ed the Captain, as he stood holding on to the
main rigging, to keep his feet.
Yes, sir, replied Robert, it is Bullymore's
craig
what is il there for?'
1T marks the entrance TO a little harbor, Sir,
which lies in the buck ofit.'
'And can ii be entered by vessel OF this
sizel' asked the captain, while gleam OF hope
shot across his face.
%, yes, sir, large ship can enter there
'And do you know the passage
Yes sir; / have spent my whole life upon
this coast, and know every turn IN IT,.
Can you take the brig IN there IN 'n's
storm? =
Yes, SIR answered the boy, while strange
light shot from his eyes: -.
And will you do it, eagerly asked 'he
captain.
On two conditions