Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-05-08

might be expected, the crew went below and
ranged themselves in something like order
around the festive board. Not man, however.
such rs the force of discipline among the sailors,
took his seat or touched an article until, the
captain, who had previously placed himself at
the head OF the table, gave the word to fall TO- -
Ihen commenced a scene shall not attempt
TO describe-the rude, wild, savage jests, and
blasphemy; the boasts of lawless deeds, the
bloody legends and fearful oaths With his
cold smile, that sometimes almost chilled their
rufhan blood, and his demon-like eyes, that
now glared with lurid fash, and were now
glassed with cruel speculation, their captain
urged on the revel Yet ere it reached its
height, he rose, and in q clear calm voice, de-
manded attention. In an instant all was
hushed, and every eye was fixed upon him.
Gentlemen Rovers, our cruise is up, and
we are about to part. There is not n wreck on
the ocean to tell our Deeds and their evidence
IS locked in our own bosoms. No one doubts
it is safe there"
None :" was the reply of all.
Yet" continued he, Il propose oath"
Agreed ~ was the general response
Rise !" he exclaimed
Every man was to this feet in a moment.
Draw your knives.''
The weapons glittered in each hand
. The points to your hearts ~ ..-
Each one held the steel to his bosom, as if
about to drive il home.
"RePeat.-We swear, by wind and wave, by
blood and steel, never to betray a ship-mate
or to reveal a deed, we have seen since the
cruise began; we will be swung up without
a word, or shot down without a sign that can
injure him; we will not even claim his acuuan
tance, though we be in extremity, unless he
throw out signal; and we will pursue to death,
wherever he can be found and slay, on land
or water, the man who turns traitor We
swear ..aHd rce seal Tih our hearts blood ~
Strike" exclaimed the leader; and each
man drove the blade deep enough to puncture
his bosom, and kissing its blood stained point,
returned il to its sheath.
NOW, gentlemen, our arrangements are all
made, said the captain, q the treasure is diyi-
ded and each mans share will be handed over
In the morning we shall be near land, if this
weather holds, everything will 60 we'll. You
are all marked down for the different boats
and officers appointed to each, with instructions
how to steer, and what to do. The brig we
will sink in thousand fathOms where resur-
rections won't find her. And now, my lads,
are you satisfied
unanimous shout OF approval was the reply.
Then, my mates, one bumper before we
part. Here" said he, " is runlet of the old
rum we took from the red nOsed Bishop who
was so foolish to trust himself and his treas
ures afioat, and here, drawing cover from a
basket :" are the golden goblets he said were
dedicated to the Virgin-they have been allot-
ted to my share; but take one of them, each
Of you, and keep it in remembrance of your
captain"
His generosity was hailed with applause, and
two men arose at his signal, one distributing
the goblets and the other filling them with
rich strong, fragrant old Jamaica rum, the
captain helping himself from a flask ut his
side. Every man rose to the captains toast:
I" Here's Rover's life =, Gold to him who
has the courage to win it and the soul to spend
Here's to the sea that tell no tales:
The breeze that fills the rover's sails.n
Every bumper was quafed to the bottom,
and wild and long was the shout with which
this cOngenial sentiment was hailed.
Exeusing himself by alleging the necessity of
the brigs course, the captain now
went on deck, and oommending them to that
free indulgence which he well knew required
We'll, Antonio, they have drank your
bumper
"a saw it," said the Italian, his eyes glitter
ing like snakes.
''No doubt, SIgRore CapitaHo. Listen how
they shout. In FIVE minutes not u tongue will
wag. But shall have one-half, you promised -
"OHe-thrf, Antonio; but don trouble your
self man; it will be enough There is more
than you think"
Antonio is satisfied, Capitano ntio," said
the man.
The two proceeded to converse some time
as to the details Of their anticipated escape,
while the jewellers in the cabin grew more
quiet. There was n rattling Of plate, n crack
ing of furniture, wdeep mOans, and heavy
falls, as of drunken men, and aAd all 6cLOtC
tcdS still 0s Heath
The Italian grew pale, and crossed himself
nervously. A wild light of demoniac triumph
cleaned for an instant in the captains eyes
and n bitter smile passed over his countenancc.
While Antonio was still trembling he felt his
hand placed lightly aud calmly Oh
his shoulder. ..-
" See You yonder cloud Antonio ~ he ask
ed, pointing to the horizon "We are nearer
land than you thought That il the shore and
we will reach it tonight Go below and gather
the gold goblets; but let everything else alone
we have enough here"
And he touched an ron-bound chest, placed
between the binnacles.
The Italian complied, with evident reluc-
tance, and in a few minutes returned with the
articles, but pale and livid as a ghost, his
knees shifting each other.
- Courage, man we shall soon be clear Of
her" said the captain, who had turned the
briggs head to the shore which he had pointed
out.
In less than an hour the shore became clearly
defined and preparations were made for leaving
the vessel The chest, by means of whip or
pulley, was got lnUO tne stern DOat, WHICH was
one of Francis's life boats, and the tackles
were made all clear. Taking an axe, the cap
tain went down into the fore hold, where large
holes had been already made in the bottom.
A few blows knocked out the temporary stop
pers, and the water rushed in furiously. The
boat was now quickly lowered, and the two
survivors, pulling of some distance, watched
the fate of their abandoned bark and her pot
soRed cTer0. In half an hour she had settled
until the water ran in at her ports in a few
minutes she keeled over, and, with a plunge
and groan, sank forever beneath the blue
waters, never to rise witness until the sea
gives ap its dead
The next morning coasting vessel picked
up life boat with one seeming half drowned
passenger. He WAS THE CAPTAIN. Where
UGS Antonio!
And do you mean this as the history Of
Captain Knight" asked Charley. -
Qnien sN6e! as the Spauiad says. 1 know
knight reappeared few weeks after 1 saw the
announcement about the boat in a Southern
paper. lie was fush and paid me very liber-