Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-10-07
dflistellaneous.
From Blackwooi's Magazine.
TREVANION.
[cosrrsurD.]
CHAPTER VIII.

The time when Ir6VanlOn rate was topt
decided was now fast drawing on. Truste
his word, the Captain made no allusiea t.
the circumstance, having evidently maee III
his mind that there would be no farther
squaaishress on the part Of the young man
The crew appeared pretty generally Of the
|same opinion, and no longer eyed him With
the same undisguised contempt asformerly.
though there was still any thing but good
understanding between them-espe cially or
the part of the first LieutenaptJwho fancied
he saw in John g formidable rival in the
good graces Of his commander Meanwhile
the situation Ct the poor youth was pitiable
in the extreme Till now he had buoyed
himself up with the hope that the yesse
might touch on some coast before his week
expired, which might afford him q remote
chance Of escape; but time few on, and still
they were on the wide ocean, unboundec
save by dim horizon Of sky.
On the morning, however, of the day
previous to thaton which his decision was
to be made, cry Of land was raised from
the masthead, followed almost Immediately
by shout from the same quarter that q
| Spanish galeon was heating ia sight. In
an instant all was hustle and uproar, and
the wild cheers Of exultation raised by the
crew soopSbrought the Captain on deck, who
Immediately began giving orders to his men
to see to the guns and the state of the rig
ping. and, in sort, to make every prepare
ton for desperate conflict These orders
were promptly complied with, and, all sails
being set, the vessel soon came near enough
to the Don to perceive that he also vas on
the alert, and, confding in his superior
weight Of metal, evinced not the slightest
lindisposition to come to close quarters.
"Bravo," exclaimed the pirate chief, eye
ing the Spanish ship with seaman's steady
gaze, "she carries bold front; we'll, so much
the better, it proves she is prize worth
tussling for;" then turning to his Lieuten-
ant, .'harkee, comrade, pipe all hands to
prayers, and be id to you"
Scarcely was the order issued than the
whole ships company made their appearance
on deck, while their commander, putting on
an air of uncommon sanctity, seated himself
on gun, and began reading one or two
chapters Of the Bibles Twas strange
thing to behold these ruAians, who were ca
pable of the greatest atrocities, so far sub
dued by the force of continual habit, as to
appear prodigies Of piety. While Captain
Davis continued reading, revercntial hush
was maintained by all his congregation;
every head was bowed. and the few Span
iards among them kept momently signing
the cross on their foreheads, and giving out
profound signs, as if they were in the ago.
MES of heartfelt remorse But decidedly
the most pious Of the squad was old Tom,
whose aspect was quite picturesque, for his
one eve sprung such leak as to deluge his
entire face, and his head swayed from sid
to side like the pendulum Of a kitch, o,ool
while ever and anon he .,as, nat l1e,
glance towards his commander, as much a
to say, 'c CANINE, it's toe touching, 7 can
- -..ue it"
This farce continued for full half an hou
when Cartain Davis, returning the Bible tt
hia Lieutenant with special command tina
lit should be deposited in the securest part 0
the cabin, started to his legs, and exclaimed
with blasphemous oath, at the same tim'
pointing to the galleon which was now fas
bearing down upon them, s'yonder, lads, il
the enemy; twenty piasters to him who frs
boards her; ten to him who kills the frs
man; and. dye hear, no quarter-dowr
with them all; dead men tell no tales yo'
know"
While he thus spoke, his eye CHANGED t
fall on Trevanion, who stood some PAGES OF
gazing at the approaching vessel with look
Of mingled hope and curiosity.
"Halloo, youpgster," exclaimed the r
rate, forward here, we shall have need
your help to-day: but how is this, sir, sulk
ing still !? Pfaith, we have of this boy
play; you must learn to be man now.
aMan p said Tom. looking towards Ire
vanion with huge disdain, doyou call tina
iaokadandy thing, man? Why, he arm
as much gumption in him as would make
[loblolly boy. In the good old times Of
Notwithstanding that these robbers bad scarce
" anv ideas of true religion, yet they prayed mos
! fervently. and never began single meal Wltnou
previously repeating their prayers. The Catno
lies said the Song of Zechariah. the Magnlheat, Q
( the Miserere; the Pedestrians eltnel reao chal
ter in the Bible. or repeated Psalm. before
battle they never failed earnestly 20 oeseecn 1oa
grant them victory, ana gooo prize' anu aas1
to- be able to Stir hand or foot: On these occs
sona Il was no uncommon thing for their vessels
be wrecked Tor captured by the Spanards, not
man being competent to take the helm, or issue