Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-10-07
srAUNToN AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA. OCTOBER T. 1857

opening GOd OF Heaven, is ne awake !
Twas moment of intense anxiety job
stood like one spell bound, bowed down be
meath the influence of some mighty curse
while the stony gaze Of those fixed still orb
remained rivetted on him. Had spectr
crossed his path at midnight on some blast
ed heath, he could not have been more be
wildered. His teeth chartered the swea
stood on his brow-his knees knocked con
vulsively together. His agitation, howeve
was but momentary, for the pirate SHOWED
not the slightest token Of recognition, per
ceiving which John fastened to seize one o
his pistols, and then moved on towards th,
door,
Unfortunately, when he reached the fur
Their end Of the table, he made a false step
and stumbled with some violence agains
one Of the spirit casks.
The Captains ears caught the sound
"Gomez, is that you?" be inquired, in |
thick tone of voice, full of sleep.
Trevanion made no reply, but adroitly
secreted himself beneath the table, keeping
his forefnger on the trigger of the pistol
with the determination to blow out thu
brains of the first rufian who should an
proach him.
But fortune favored him in this critica
emergency, for the Captain, after shifting
about on his bench, and half raising him
self on his elbows, sank back into his ole
position, and in few minutes was as fas
asleep as ever.
Trevanion now ventured to emerge from
his hiding place, and soon reached the cab
in steps, up which he swiftly hurried, halt
ing, however, when his head was on lev
lei with the deck, and directing searching
glance fore and aft to ascertain whether any
of the crew were on the watch. The nigh
however, being cloudy, he was unable tt
satisfy himself en- this point, but fancieo
that he could perceive the dark outline O.
two figures stretched upon deck with theil
heads resting on coil of rope near the
ships bows. Here was fresh cause fol
anxiety. But John had gone through toe
much to be daunted by this new obstacle
he waited, therefore, a few minutes before
he assembled into the open air, and ther
hearing no sound or stir Of life, stole noise
lessly along the quarterback.
When he reached the further end, wha
was his dismay to see lying full length or
deck, close by the helm, silent solitary
figure. Curses on him p said the young
man, grinding his teeth with vexation
"shall I?'' No, the sound of the pisto
would rouse the whole crew. besides ht
may be SO fast locked in sleep as to be able
to offer no interruption. will be quiet
therefore, for caution is now my only
chance"
Accordingly. he took his station neal
the sleeper, hoping the best, yet prepared
to brave the worst the hectic fever Of hi
frame cooled by the gentle night-air, which
played over him with freshness the more
grateful from the noxious heat and fumc
of the den he had just quilted. After wait
ing nearly quarter of an hour in state
Of utter inactivity, he could bear this sus
pense no longer; and finding that the figure
neither breathed nor stirred, he knelt dowr
beside him, and looked closely into biz
face. Twas corpse he gazed on-s
corpse gashed with SO many frightful woand
that scarce single feature was discerni-
Bile
At any other time such a sight woule
have completely unhinged Trevanion bu
now austere and desperate thoughts en-.
crossed him; and, availing himself of the
favorable moment, he darted forward, and
leaning over the stern saw, as he had antic-
ipated, the object Of his fondest hopes, which
was moored by a rope to the ship. Thar,
heaven p he exclaimed. concealing tie Mia
tol, "oars too in the boat No.. then. !,
never is my time /; the sea has pone down
and ] may possibly c.ontrive to reach land
out II not' why =, watery grave is the very
worst 1ate can meet with, and as certain
detr'a ction awaits me if I remain here"-
thus soliloquizing, he prepared to undo thu
fastenings, but finding this more trouble
some job than he had calculated on, be tool
up small dagger that lay near the corpse
and had just succeeded in severing the ROPE
when he heard steps ascending from th'
cabin. In an instant he threw down tn
weapon, and had barely time to fling him
self along the quarterback, as if in profoun'
sleep, when the Captain stumbled over him
''Halloo, ''hiccuped the pirate chief
sswho the h-ll have we got here p
/ Trevanion started to his legs, and was be
ginning, with we'll affected anger, to ex
postulate with the individual who had thu
disturbed his repose, when the Captain, VIII
at once recognised him, said, "What,
| it YOU. youngster? Why, I had quite fol
gotten you how IS It you did not join on
brave fellows below? But perhaps 20
were as we'll away, for these bouts Of our
| are apt to play strange tricks with man
noddle. Devil soul is able to stir bu
myself; however, it's nc great odds, for til
lights as calm as sleeping babe; and Nor
gan's squadron will be heav,ng in sigh
I shortly, and it will then be time enough t
| be on the alert rs for me, I'm just a
sober and ct for duty as ever | was," an
| so saving, after vainly endeayoring to bal
ance himself, he gave sudden lurch tina
nearly threw him on his besmsands, =
.sSscadv, brother, steady, and be danne
to you," he continued, Ssean,t you STAN
where you are, without running athwas
nv hawse but I see how it is, you've 60
your grog aboard we'll, another glass vii
do neither of us harm, so come down wit
me below deck"
ssExcuse me, Captain Davis, for this on
night tomorrow l am at you service, an
join your brave crew"
/ "HeN said, lad, didn't l tell you you't
think better Of it! You've heard, Of cours
/ 4b,t olJ Ton, - OOna ~