Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-05-19
From tho Eastern Argus.
A LEAP FOR LIFE.

land.
From the Eastern Argus.
A LEAP FOR LIFE.
BY AN OLD SALT.
I am no remancer. The experience of
my life has we'll taught me that "truth is
stranger than fiction" The incidents de-
tailed below are literally true. am per-
sonally acquainted with the hero of our
story, who has; since the occurrence relatr
ed, commanded vessel out of one Of ou-
neighboring ports. 1 happened to be at
Havana, at the time of his imprisonment,
and was lying in the harbor when he made
! his escape. L was also with him in the
Fox, privateer, of Portsmouth, n. H., du-
ring the last war with England, and have
had long conversations with him in rela-
ton to the affair. And although the story
may appear rincrcdibIe, and romance, yet
It is strictly true.
In tue yesr 1909, brig commanded by
man by the name of Smith, sailed from
port in Massachusetts,. for Kingston ia
maica, with cargo of lumber. At this
place she discharged, and took in Nicara-
qua wood for ballast, and proceeded to
Havana, it being then contrary to law to
take cargoes from an English Island
| The brig arrived at Havana in the month
of February, 1910, where she commenc-
ed loading with logwoOd from Spanish
ship which lay alongside. After while
the Spanish captain and the American
mate, whose name was White, became
very intimate, and so much so, that Capt.
Smith became jealous of their acquaint-
! G,ra ,F
sought to break it up, but without success.
Captain Smith was what is generally call
cd clever man, when not under the in
/ fucnce of liquor-but when he was all
went wrong, and at such times he took
particular pains to quarrel with the mate.
This state of affairs continued for some
time, until his abuse being too outrageous
for the mate to put up WITH he asked for
his discharge TO this the captain would
not consent, but told him he would pay
! his wages if he would leave the vessel
The mate acceeded to the proposition
received his wages, and went on shore,
accompanied by the Spanish captain whose
name was Estefano.
There was physician at HsvanS, ma
tive of Massachusetts,, and an acquaint-
ance of the mates, with whom he took,
lodgings until he could get voyage
The Dr.. and White frequently visited a
billiard room and had gentle game to-
gethor, where they were often j9oined by
Estefano One night, White and the Span
ish captain were playing for money. The
stakes were small at first ; but soon get
ting heated with wine and excitement of
the game, Estcfano proposed to play high
Grand at last thew down doubloon,
and insisted upon his antagonist covering
it, White objected for while, but Estan-
to urged him so stongly that he met the
stake. The game was playcd-and to
his chagrin, the Spaniard lost. lie was
/ greatly enragcd at the result of the game,
and was all for fight. To avoid squab-
bic, White agreed to play one game more
for two doubloons, declaring that he con
sented to do it merely to let his opponent
have a chance to get his money back and
/ that lose or win, he would not play anoth-
or game, The conditions were agreed to
and the game commenced, For while
the Spanard had evidently the advant-
age, and the probabilities were greatly in
his favor of being the winner but just
before victory decided in his favor, by a
mastery stroke White turned the tables
and won the game. The fury ofthe Span
lard was unbounded. Heraved and sworc
as a Spaniard only can rave and swear
declared the stroke was unfair, and ended
by striking White severe blow, which he
as promptly returned with cue he held
in his hand, causing the Spaniard to meas
ure his length on the floor. Several OF
the bystanders then interfered and peace
was restored. Shortly after this the Span
lard left the room. In the course Of an
hour or so, it being almost midnight, the
DIR. and White started for home. They
had arrived within a few yards of the
house when they were met by three men
armed with swords, who Immediately be-
gan an attack upon White. Being un-
armed, and taken unawares, he would in
stantly have fallen victim had not his
friend interfered and with heavy cane,
which he luckily had with him, disarmed
one Of the assailantS, who dropped his
sword, which White hastily picked up and
run his antagonist, who passed him the
hardest. through the body 1t proved to