Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-02

at last it was adroitly done, and the stranger
sprang lightly through the entrance, s%ecreting
himself behind one of the pillars of the innel
court of the palace. The s~entinels paced on
undisturbed.
The figure which had thus stealthily effected
an entrance, now sought the broad stairs tina,
led to the Governors suite of apartments, with
a confidence that evinced a perfect knowledge
of the place. A second guard-post was to be
passed at the head of the stairs; but, assuming
an air of authority, the stranger offered a cold
military salute and passed forward, as though
there was not the most distant question of his
right so to do; and thus avoiding all suspicion
in the guards mind, he boldly entered the
Governors reception room unchallenged, and
closed the door behind him. In a large easy
chair sat the commander-in-chie busily en-.
gagged in writing, but alone. An expression
of ~undisguised satisfaction passed across the
weather-beaten countenance of the new conner
at this slate of affairs, as he coolly cast off his
cloak and tossed it over his arm, and then
proceeded to wipe the perspiration from his
face. The Governor, looking up with surprise,
fixed his keen eyes upon the intruder
who enters here, unannounced, at this
hour" he asked, sternly, while he regarded the
stranger earnestly.
zone who has information of value for the
Governor-G General. You are Tacon, ! sup
pose."
Il am. What would you with me or, rather,
how did you pass my guard unchallenged! =
"Of that anon. Excellency, you have offered
a handsome reward for information concerning
the rovers of the gulf"
"Ha? yes. What of them 7" said Tacon,
| with u~ndisguised interest.
"Excellency, l must speak with Caution"
continued the new conner; otherwise l may
condemn and s~acrafice myself"
"You have naught to fear on that head"
"The offer of reward for evidence against the
scapegraces, also vouchsafes a pardon to the
informant. You may speak on without fear
for yourself, even though you may be one Of
the very confederation itself"
"You offer a reward, also, in addition, for
the discovery Of Marti-Captain MART, of the
smugglers-do you not??"
"We do, and will gladly make good the pro-
mise Of reward for any and all information
upon the subject" replied Tacon.
"First, ExceNlency, do you give me your
knightly word that you will grant a full par
don to me, if l reveal all that you require to
know, even embracing the most secret hiding
places of the rovers!!"
9" pledge you my word Of honor" said the
commander.
mo matter how heinous in the sight Of the
law my offences may have BEEN, still you will
pardon me under the kings SEAL"
purpose" answered Tacon, weighing in his
mind the purpose of all this precaution.
" Even it | were a leader among the rovers,
myselfw
The Governor hesitated for a moment, can
vassing in a single glance the subject before
him, and then said:
seven then, be you whom you may +; if you
are able and will honestly pilot our ships and
reveal the secrets of Marti and his follow
ers, you shall be rewarded as our proffer sets
forth, and yourself receive a free pardon"
"Excellency, | think know your character
we'll enough to trust you, or else l should not
have ventured here"
"Speak, then; my time is ~precious;' was the
impatient reply of Tacon.
"Then, Excellency, the man for whom you
have offered the largest reward, dead or alive,
is now before you"
sand you are"
"Marti!" !
The Governor General drew back in won. |
der, and cast his eyes towards a brace of pis-
tolls that lay within reach of his right hand
but it was only for a single moment, when he
again assumed entire self-control, and said:
81 shall keep my promise, sir, provided you
are faithful, though the laws call loudly for
your punishment, and even now you are in my
power. To insure your faithfulness, you must
remain at present under guard" Saying which,
he rang a silver bell by his side, and issued a
x,orho1 pr1ar IN tho ofta,1,pf ,x,L,o orc,ro sd e |
Immediately after, the officer of the watch en-.
tered, and MART was placed in confinement,
with orders to render him comfortable until he
was sent for. His name remained a secret with
the commander; and thus the night scene
On the following day, one of the men of.
that lay idly beneath the guns of Moro
Castle, suddenly became the scene of the ut
most activity. and, before noon, had weighed
her anchor, and was standing out into the gulf
stream. MART, the 'smuggler, was on board, as
her pilot; and faithfully did lie guide the ship,
on the discharge Of his treacherous business,
among the shoals and bays of the coast for
nearly a month, revealing every secret haunt,
Of the rovers, exposing their most valuable
depots and well-selected rendezvous; and
many a smuggling craft was taken and Destroy
ed. The amount of money and property thus
secured was very great; and Marti returned
with the ship to claim his reward from the |.
Governor-General, who, well satisfied with
The manner in which the rascal had fulfilled his
agreement and betrayed those comrades who
too faithful to be tempted to treachery
summoned MART before him.
"As you have faithfully performed your part
Of our agreement" said the Governor-Gene lei
Il an now prepared to comply with the articles
my part. In this package you will find a
and unconditional pardon for all your past
against the laws. And here is an
order on the treasury for"
"Excellency, excuse me-. The pardon I gladly
As to the sum of money you propose
give to me, let me make you a proposition.