The Empire County argus., 1854-06-10

lowed to take q passage in the brig with the PROP
ability that should not live to finish it.
Modiego had had the ball extracted from his
thigh, but the wound threatened to be dangerous
one, for the leg had swelled, and there was every
appearance of mo- tifcation. But yet he fingered
on for two months without leaving his cabin, and
to this may be attributed the fact that the pirates
attacked no other vessels. During this time had
devoted every mental energy to the studying up OF
some plan by which to carry out my wishes, and at
length hit upon the only thing that seemed lay
within the range of possibility.
We were now in the vicinity of the Cape de Verbs,
and knew that if anything was to be done it must
be done quickly for felt sure thai the plan ofput-
ting an end to my life was freely discussed and ia
vorably entertained by the crew At length the
time for my trial came, and had fully resolved to
stake my life in the hazard One day, towards
noon, thick mist began to arise the water that
came in with westerly wind but it did not pre-
vent the officer getting an observation of the sum-
which found to be in latitude IA degrees A min
utes north, and the longitude Is degrees west.
knew now we were directly opposite Cape Verde
and not far from fifty miles distant. By two o'clock
the weather was quite thick, and the wind veered
little to the southwark At four o'clock there were
some indications of storm, and the officers were
all on deck. | went down into the cabin and found
the captain asleep. In small chest lashed under
the table were two spare compasses, one exactly
like that in the binnacle. This compass took cut
1t had copper bowl and the rim that held the
glass top was fastened on by screw | took the
rim off and took out the card. Then | concealed
the small box in which the whole bUng beneath my
bedding, keeping only the card 1y me. | listened
q moment to be assured that all safe, and then
I took my pocket-knife and loosened the magnetic
needle from the bottom of the card. The course
through the night knew would be nearly due north
so swung the needle round until the magnetic
point was directly under that point Of the card in
dicated by N. w. by w. This brought the north
~ tl,oo -1 To h1- 4b1tI
were IL brig to be steereG by that compass had
fixed t. and her head kept where the compass nd
Gated north, she would in reality be going n. Z
by E. secured the needle to the card again by
means of little wax and having placed IL back in
the bowl and screwed the top again, hid the
whole once more in my bed.
And now the most difficult part OF the task was
to come. must exchange compasses with the bin
nace and how this to be done when the helms
mans eve was never off from the spot! But my
life had been pledged, and took courage; and
should have surely failed had not lucky idea come
to my assistance. [ took the compass from my berth
and nut it back into the chest from whence had
first taken it, and then ncrvously waited for the
moment when could carry my plan into execu-
ton.
The night came on dark and early Not star
was to be seen and the atmosphere had grown
damp and cold. As soon as it was fairly dark
possessed myself of small single block / found in
the deck-anywhere to escape observation. At eight
o'clock the watch was changed, but before the off
watch went below the officer concluded to take
reef in the top sails so as to be on the safe side in
case of a blow. Providence seemed to be with me,
for at that moment the wind began to veer to the
westward.
"Stand by the braces !" shouted the officer and
as he gave the order could see the duskv forms of
the mon as they moved through the thick darkness.
crcpt as to the binnacle possible with
out being noticed, and there awaited my opportuni-
| ty. The top Of the pinnacle was in the form of
pyramid, that the glass was exposed to anything
that might chance to fall from a point above it.
Just as the men commenced to move the braces,
poised the block that had secured, and aimed it
at the top of the binnacc. | was sure ofmy mark,
and let it 90. herd crashing of the glass and
on the next instant gided unperceved down the
companion-way into the cabin, and leaped into my
berth. 1t was not more than minute before the
second officer OF the deck down literally over
running with curses.
'What's the matter ?" asked the captain, who
: had been awakened by the rumpus.
'Some lubber left loose tail-block aloft, and it
fell upon the binnacle and smashed in the compass
glass; returned the officer, he stopped down to
get at one of the compasses in the chest
"Fnd out who left it there, and have him put in
irons,n said Modego.
Flooked out from my berth and saw the mate
take the compass had altered knew he would
take that one. for the other would not lit the bnna
Gle. l went up after him. The compass was placed
in the pinnacle, and the pyramid top turned SO
as to bring side with whole glass next to the
Wheel the broken part having been covered up
'San Jago, how the wind has hauled" uttered
the officer of the deck as he looked at the
pass. "I1ere are clear way round to the west'rd
Jump to the braces Port the helm Larboard
braces-round in !"
"It has changed said the helmsuan as he threw
the wheel over.
"Let her be steady at north"
"Steady it is. You're up"
"Belay all
And all was accordingly Delayed According to
the compass the wind was now southwest, and the
brig was heading due north knelc that the wind
was nearly west by north, and that the brig head
ed northeast by east
1t was halfpast eight and the brig was
ming off ten knots clear. As soon as had seen my
plan thus begin to work. went below and turned
in but did not sleep. | lay there in my berth
listening to the blowing Of the wind. At midnight,
when the first watch was relieved the officer Of the
dec reported that the wind was steady and that
the brig was running off fnay Yet it was hazy,
and no stars could be seen.
Al four o'clock | went on deck, and | knew in
an instant that were near land. could tell by
the peculiar feeling of the atmosphere for it had
lost its chill and was becoming more dry and warm
Yet the pirates mstrusted nothing The mid
had been relieved and gone below, and it would be
nearly an hour before daylight could open its Win
dows upon the true state Of the vessel