Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1855-06-23

rather felt proud of him. How could l
help it The very genius Of Mars seems
ed to sit within him. IL was almost
miracle how he swept away the proud
Williams from before him.
At length the deck began to grow thin
of standing men, and streams of blood
were flowing toward the scuppers. l
reached Legrand'S side, and l SOW stout
men flee from before him. | saw his arm
move and another pirate fall.
Then cry broke upon our ears. 1t
was cry for quarter, for mercy. The
fighting ceased, and the living pirates
were huddled together in the starboard
gangway and disurmed. Thsy number
ed eleren msn! My next was to count
my own, and found eighteen of them,
and nine of the infantry officers In the
centre Of the quarter deck stood Walter
Legrand. He was leaning upon his
sword, and tiny stream of blood trick
led down its faithful blade and made
dark pool upon the deck about its point.
He was still calm and serene, but the old
look Of sedate melancholy had once more
taken possession of his couptenance.
Capt Favor he said addressing me,
can you take care of the prisoners ?
quickly answered him, yes
Then said he, i will go and comfort
my mother She may be anxious
The prisoners were put in irons, and
placed iu safe confinement, and then we
set to work and cleared un the deck
All hands turned workmen, and ere long
the dead were sewed up in the old sails
and buried in the deep blue sea-friends
and foes together. There were but few
wounded men. Such as there were,
however, were properly cared for.
That evening, when we sat down to
supper, no one could have told, from the
appearance of Walter Legrand that any
thing unusual had happened He met
u, with that same calm smile of recog-
nition, and his face wore that same look
of unobtrusive, modest reserve. The
meal was eaten mostly in silence.
could see that the other officers gazed
upon the youth with looks of admirlng
wonder, and even Captain Savage was
humbled and awed.
Legrand saw the looks that were cast
upon him, and he knew well what they
meant. After he had finished his sup
per, he wiped his lips, and we knew from
his movements, that he was going to
speak. a pin might have been heard to
drop at that moment.
Gentlemen he said, while a slight
tremulous was manifest in his neither
lip. 'You all know what has passed
s.nce l came on board this ship, and |
shall not recount the painful tale. |
have heard the word 'coloard, and have
not resented it, and had [ not this day
event come to pass, should not have
made the explanation which | am now
abou. to make for it might only have been
received as hollow excuse Of one who
dared not fight.
You have, some of you, heard of my
father. He was a brave man, and
good officer, but in an evil hour he had
difficulty with a brother officer, and he
accepted challenge TO fight a duel He
met his companion on the field, and he
fell. He marched boldly up to the can
mons mouth for his beloved country land
his life was spared that his bosom fliend
might take it. My mother knew my hot
blood she knew | was my fathers child,
and she feared for me. She crew nv
head upon her grief laden bosom, and
asked nae to promise her that | would
never give or receive challenge to NOR
tai combat, and that | would never lend
my countenance or assistance to the
same in the capacity Of a friend. | made
the promise, ard sealed it with vow,
and a mothers prayer went up that [
might be true to it. Gentlemen, ysu
know all now"
There was tear in his Eye, but ,ae
turned quickly away and. went OF deck.
For some moments after BE had gone.
there was deatsl-like sallness.
'..GentleD.en,'' . uttered Savage, start
ing quie.ay from his seat, follow me on
decl'
! He started fos the ladder, and we al
wat after him Legrand stood by the
lee quarter railing, and Savage moved
quickly to him
Mr. Legrand, said the humble off