Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-08-23

Stand back!' said Walter.
sOn, boys--or dier
! Thus spoke the pirate leader, bu
he spoke no more, for. the young
mans sword swept the air like light
ming, and the villains head was clef
in twain. Another stroke and :ht
lieutenant shared the same fate.
Nov. men of England, show The
blood of your proud nation!'
Every man heard these words, fol
they were like bugle notes--clear
ringing and distinct. remember how
Legrand looked at that moment. He
had just forced his mother below
when he spoke, and then he turned
upon the crew. His head was up,
his teeth set. his finely chiseled
nostrils distended, and his eyes lit
orally emitting sparks of fire. He
dashed like lightning shaft among
the foe, and we all followed him.
Ever and anon | could see the flash
of his bright blade where it was not
covered with blood. j fought with
all my might-so did all my men.
Savage fought, too, but he did not
seek places of danger, rather seeming
to keep his back against the bull
warks.
Ever and anon the flash of Wal
ter's sword catched my eye,and Ifailed
not to see man fall when it descend.
ed. My own men looked at him
as their leading spirit and | did not
feel offended. / rather felt proud
of him. How ! could help it? 1t
was almost miracle how he swept
the foul villains from before him.
At length the deck began to grow
thin of standing men, and streams OF
blood were flowing towards the soup.
pers. l reached Lsgrand's side, and
/ saw stout men flee from before
him. | saw bis stout arm move, and
| saw another pirate fall.
Then ciy broke upon oufears.--
1t was cry for quarter, for mercy.
The fighting ceased and the living pi-
rates had huddled together in the
star-5oard gangway aud disarmed.--
They number eleven men. NJ y next
work was to count my own, and 4
found eighteen Of them, and nine OF
the infantry officers. In the CEN
tire of the quarter deck stood Walter
Legrand. He was leaning upon his
sword, and tiny stream OF blood
trickled down its faithful blade, and
made dark pool upon the deck
about it's point. He was still calm
and serene, but the old look of Sc
date melancholy had once more ta-
ken possession Of his conntenance.
Captain Favor he said, address
ing me, can you take. care Of the
prisoners =
] quickly answered him, yes
Then said he, i will 60. and
comfort my mother. She may be
anxious
The prisoners were put in irons
and placed in safe confinement, and
then we set to work and cleared up
the deck. All hands turned work.
men, and ere long the dead were
sewed up in old sails and buried ih
the deep blue sea-friend and foe
together. There were but few
wounded men. Such as there we're,
however, we're properly cared for. i
That evening when We sat down
to supper, no one could have told,
| from the appearance Of Walter Lee
grand, that anything unusual had
happened. He met US with that
same calm smile of recognition, and
his face ~wore that same look oil
unobtrusiye modest reserve The
meat was eaten in silence. | could
see that the officers gazed' upon the
youth with looks Of admlr;Dg wonder,
and even Captain Savage was hum
blsd and awed. Legrand saw the
looks that were cast upon him and
he knew well what they meant. AT
ter he had finished his supper he
wiped his lips, and we knew from bis
movements that he was going to
speak. A pin might have been heard
to drop at that moment. rsf.
"Gentlemen,' said be, while
slight tremulousness was manifested
/ in his neither lip. lyon all knos
what has passed since ] came or
board. this ship, and shsN not re-
count the painful tale; l have heare