Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1855-04-19

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Ever and anon the fash oe Walters
sword would catch my eye. and failed
not 10 see man fall when il descenced.
Ny own men looked to him as their lea
ding spirit, and | did not feel offended.
| rather felt proud of him. How could
help it? The very genius OF Mars seem
ed 10 sill within him. Ii was almost a
miracle how he swept away the foul viii
lains from before him.
at length the deck began TO grow Thin
Of standing men, and streams OF blood
were flowing towards the scuppers. !
reached Legrend's side and saw stout
men flee from before him. saw his arm
move, and saw another pirate fall
Then cry broke upansour ears. 1t was
a cry for quarter, for mercy. The fight
ing ceased. and the living pirates were
huddled together in The s!arboard gang
way and disarmed. They numbered cleo
en- men, My next work was TO count my
own. and found eighteen of them. and
nine Of the infantry officers. In the cen.
tire of The quarter deck stood Walter lie
grand. lie was leaning upon his sword.
md a tiny stream Of blood trinkled down
his faithful blade and made dark pool
upon The deck about its point. He was
still and calm und serene, but the old look
of sedate m.lancholly had once more Ia
ken possession Of his counienance. 4
Captain Favor" said he. addressing
me, "can you take care OF the prisoners?"
Iquickly answered rim. yes Then.
said he. 1 viii go 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 out workmen. and ere
long the dead were sewed up in old sails
buried in the deep. blue sea-friend and
foe together. Such as they were how
ever. we:e properly cared Cor.
That evening, when we sat down to
supper, no one could have told, from the
appearance of Waller Legrand. that any
thing unusual had happened. He met US
with that same smile of recognition. and
his face wore that same look of unob-
strusive modest reserve. The meal
was eaten mostly in silence. | could
see tina, the other officers gazed upon the
youth with looks OF admiring wonder,
and even Captain Savage was BUNDLED
and awed.
Legrand saw the looks that were cast
upon him and he knew we'll what they
meant. After he had finished his supper
he wiped his lips. md se knew from his
my truIeu,o, ruat ~os sv,"s ,v-sPcun
A pin might have been heard to drop a,
tina; moment.
Gentlemen lie said. while a slight
tremulousness was manifested in his net
her lip. You all know what has passed
since l came on board this ship. and
shall not recoun, the painful tale. |
have heard the word .copard.' and
have not resented il, and had not this
days events come TO pass. should 10,
have made the explanation which l am
now about to make, for it might only
have been received as the hollow excuse
of one who dared not fight.
You have some of you heard Of my ia
Their. He was brave man. and good
officer. but in an evil hour he had diff.
fculiy with a brother officer. ana he &C
copied the challenge TO fight DUEL
He met his companion upon the field
aud he fell. He had marched boldly VI
10 the cannon's mouth for his beloved
country. and his life was spared that his
bosom friend might take it. My mother
heard the sad story. Sheknsw my heart:
blood-she knew l was my fathers child
ind she feared for me. She drew my
head upon her grief laden bosom anil
asked me 10 promise her that | would ne
yer give or receive a challenge TO mortal
and that | would never lend my counte
nance er assistance to the same in The
capacity Of a friend. made the promise
and sealed it with vow. and mother
prayer went up that ! might be true t.
it. Gentlemen, you know all now.'
There was a tear in his eye, but he turned
quickly away and went on deck.
For some m oments after he had gone
there was death Like stiffness Gent
lemen.' uttered Savage starting quickl,
from his seat, follow me quickly OF
deck
lie started for the ladder. and we al
went after him. Legrand stood by The
lee quarter railing. and Savage moved
quickly TO him.
Mr.. Legtond. said the humble officer
in trembling. but frank tone. i have
wronged you most deeply. and here before
all the living witnesses of my error.
humbly ask your pardon. Forgive me
sir and will never do such wrone
again.
Walter took the proffered hand. and
white tears trembled upon his dark lash
es. he replied:
Captain Savage. most joyfully do l &C
cede TO your request. Let the past be
forgotten. sir. and may its darkness be
moTe than oblIterated by the friendship
of this hour,
The temptation could not be resisted
Ny first mate "a noble hearted sailor
threw up his cap. and called out for three
cheers. And they were given-three
times three-for the noble youth who
had not only been the direct agent OF
saving our ship and crew. but who also
had the moral courage TO do his whole
duty. even though it brought out the jeer
and scoff of bis companions against him.
The widowed mother had followed her
son on deck, aud she had seen all that
had transnired. and shall never forge