The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1859-12-28

down by the officers side, and raised the
head it was cold and lifeless and the
skull was brokenl Gently he laid it
back upon the sand, and then moved on
again. And he saw more dead men also!
Could it be possible that he had been the
only one left alive?
Ha l--wait-what is this? 1t moves
it has lifel
Captain Lester hurried forward, as fast
rs his feeble strength would permit, and
found two men lying by the side of a
heavy spar. One OF them was dea l: but
the other gazed up into his commanders
face, and stretched forth his hands as
though he would ask for mercy. His
name was Dick Mangle, and he had been
one of the best seamen on board the
ship.
"Poor Dick" said Lester. kneeling by
his side and lifting his head. care you
badly hurt?"
They've done it for usl" the sailor
answered, in weakening voice. "Thc've
killed Tom. Amt he dead?"
1t was the body Of stout Tom Bricket
that lay close by, and when the captain
had made himself sure that there was no
particle of life in it, he reported the same
to Dick.
But" he added, "what do you mean?
Who has done you harm7
Haven t. you seen 'em?" the man ask
ed, struggling for breath.
''Seen whom? What do you meAn?',
demanded Lester. eagerly.
Dick started up to his elbow, and gaz-
ed around; but be seemed to find nothing
Tor which he was looking, and be sank
back again. Had he not made this effort
ke might have spoken further but the
act Of rising had exhausted him, and the
last grain of strength was leaving him.
"What do you mean?" cried Lester, as
he saw that the poor fellow was sinking.
Has any body harmed your"
Dick managed to raise his hand to his
head-to point above the lett e,r--and,
as he did so, be whispered
"Look out-they asked for the Ca pt'n.
That's where they struck" He tried to
speak further. but his voice failed him.
What could this mean? Maurice Lest
er started to his feet and gazed around.
Who had killed his men?
The captain was disturbed in his medi-
tation by the sound of voices not far off,
and upon turning he beheld four men
coming up from the water. He who
came in advance was q tall, muscular
man; with gaunt, heavy frame; some
where about fifty Or ffty-fve years of
age; and habitod in garb of blue cloth,
cut into trock, Or shirt, which was Sc
cured at the waist by a broard pistol, belt.
Maurice Lester WIGS startled when he
beheld the stalwart leader and his three
ruffianly companions; and, considering
all the circumstances, it is no wonder
that he was startled. However, be had
not much opportunity for reflection, for,
by the time he had fairly made out the
party, they were upon him.
"Hollo," the leader cried, as he saw
our hero, "here we have another" Aud
as he he came up, he added: "And l
guess we've found live one, too,-one
that knows something. -Say--who are
YEP"
This last sentence was addressed to
Maurice, who quickly answered:
"My name is Lester. And now, to be
fair, what is your name?"
"Well-I guess you've heard it before.
Men call me Ryan Wolfgang."
"WoLFaANo!" repeated Lester, with
start.
eyes, That is my name"
Then WoLFdAEa was not a myth after
all. That mysterious wrecker, whose
name was a source of terror to honest
sailors, was being of flesh and blood,
like other men. Maurice gazed upon
him with wonder; and, as he gazed, he
felt that he looked upon tiend incar-
nate. He had often heard of the pirate
wrecker, and so dark and mystic had
been the tales which the North-Sea sail
ors had told, that he had been inclined to
believe that the whole theme was fabri-
cation. Now, however, he had no more
doubt, for the man before him looked as
dark and bloody as were any of the pic
lures he had heard drawn OF him upon
the forecastle.
But our hero was not allowed much
time for reflection. Wolfgang piled him
with questions, to all of which Lester
gave straightforward answers;well know
ing that evasion would serve no practical
purpose, and hoping by his frankness
to propitiate the merciless fend in whose
unrestrained power he knew himself to
be.
When the wrecker chief had elected
all the information he could, aud learned
with what rich cargo the vessel was
freighted, and that she had $4,000 in
specie on board, he smiled grimly, and
remarked to one of his confederates that
she would perhaps be richer prize even
than the White Fascn had been few
years before. The mention Of the name