Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-01-18
Original Storg.
Written for the Spirit Of the Age.
J JACQUES ST. CLAIR:
A TALE OF LAND AND SEA.
ICoPY-RIGHT sECURED.1
Written for the Spirit Of the Age.
BY WILL: WILLoWILL.

The voice and tumult on the Sea Gull
was prodigious; the clanking of chains, the
moving Of cables and blocks and the tunl-
bling about of almost everything on deck
added to the general medley Of the scene.
The guns were hastily loaded, pixies, pistols,
muskets, swords and cutlasses were carried
on deck, and all began to load the small
guns and to arm themselves for the coming
conflict.
On swept the pirate vessel, her hull was
soon plainly visible from the desk, and the
stranger eyed her with a keen gaze. On
she came, her splashing sweeps, as she
seemed to leap from one wave to another,
rapidly gained upon the Gull. Everything
on the brig was ready, and the crew, fred
with determination to sell their lives dear
ly, stood ready for action. The men on the
pirate craft were plainly visible; their black
and hairy faces looked threatning and hor-
rible as they cleaned over the ships edge.
The pirate craft commanded the admiration
of those on board the Gull so graceful and
elegant was her motions 1t was one of
the most complete and beautiful specimens
of naval architecture then aAoat. Her sails
seemed to be fitted to catch every. breath
of air, however gentle, and lift her along
from wave to wave with the case of strong
sea bird. No matter how rough the sea
might be, when its elementary strife was
such as to wiring other crafts in twain on the
crest of an angry wave, the Pirate craft
could glide from wave to wave with the
ease and gentleness of a skating pebble on
pond from the schoolboys hand.
The pirate came round with graceful
sweep and tarned her side, like dolphin,
S to the Gull. On the side of the vessel, just
above the water, was painting that struck
new terror to the crew on the Gull. 1t was,
as if painted with blood, deep red figure,
r representing the Devil holding in one hand
human heart and in the other red hot
$ trident
The RED DRAGON Y screamed the mate.
'All hands bout ship-starboard your
helm-mainsail haul-sheets and tacks-
. down with your helm-belay! were orders
! rapidly given by the Captain, and as rapid
!, ly ohcyed by the crew, and the Gull sat up
on the water.
The decks Of the Red Dragon were filled
with heartless and savage looking pirates a;
ever boarded ship, each armed with a mus
ket and heavy cutlass.
Courage, my hearties,' ssid the Captain
in low voice. Stand by the guns and
remember your sweethearts, your wives and
your children
l. The Gull now had the chance of full
It broadside, apd in voice like young lion,
Captain Jerrold gave the word fire!
i Not shot for the wealth ofthe Ocean !!
~ cried the stranger, who was sitting among
: : the rigging half way up the mast. But he
W was too late double volley told that each
y vessel had fired at the same instant, and the
- cries on both vessels warned them that sac
a havoc had been the result. The stranger
was too late; but in full view of the Pi
rates deck he remained perched in the rig
to ging waving in his hand small flag, OIL
ID which was painted in bright red sWorC
A trans6xing human heart
OF The moment it was seen by the pirat
= crew cry of JOY and a loud shout burste
u from their deck, drowning in its exultin
e. notes the groans of the wounded and th
1t means of the dying
After the first shout of joy from the Re
Dragon moment of breathless quiet ensue
- on the decks of both vessels nought wa
heard save the loud roar of the waves, tn
" winds and the dull tapping of the shattere
: , sails.
no =, The stranger in the rigging waved b
~ flag in the wind and cried Not anotht
II ~ shot, my hearties. No blood and courag
- to-day!
Three cheers burst from the Red Drago
10 crew, and they wheeled around and lay
longside the Gull, whose crew stood sileI
:, ,, spectators of the scene-at sad loss to a
% % count for the proceedings.
~ He of the flag sprang from the riggir
sN to the deck and said loud enough to be heal
~ by all on both vessels:
Captain Jerrold, l have saved the Ii
tile Of yourself and crew
me The stranger seemed to sway Nigh
lad influence over both crews his words seer
sa- ed oracles which all felt willing to respec
art either from affection or fear.
lav- The Red Dragon hove close alongsi
me- the Gull and threw out her graphing iroI
'ed- Jacques St. Clair gave vent to curse
mingled fear and rage at this proceediI
but the stranger cried out let not g
tul, be fired, nor cutlass raised-let no mt
blood stain the decks !
~ A murmur of admiration ran through
'ue Sea Gull The bearded pirates stood in
w. line upon the deck of the Red Dragon, "
7 7, - their swords sheathed and their pistols
olI their belts The little flag was way
-. quickly above the head of the stranger a
19e, D.. the pirates crew sprang upon the Gu
d. deck, crying aloud down on your KIN
e and beg mercy at the hands of our comm
i VI der, Nicholas st. Clair
ned Blood and booty cried him of
flag.
~ A most murderous conflict ensued,
bard the GulPs crew was overpowered and
lrni- living were securely pinioned, among VIII
were Capt Jerrold, his mate, Jacques
Clair and Agnes. Many Of the brave
tand on both sides rolled in the blood on
mPs deck, wounded and dying
WY, After the victory was complete Niche
only said: Now, my hearties, you can sec
afeh the booty, As for my part take this
prize