Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-01-06


ally alive and sensible; but sought 20 recall
the events of the past, which he did, very
clearly, up to the time when his ship struck
upon the rocks-he could go no farther. After
this he raised himself upon his elbow, and
tried to gaze about him. He found himself
upon bed Of sand. between two immense
rocks. He had been landed there in that deep
nook, and the tide had gone out and left him.
In a little while he rose to his feet, and man
aged to crawl up, by the aid of G stranded
spar, over a low part Of one Of the rocks.
After seeing all that was to be observed
from this point, he moved on towards where
he thought he should soonest find an open
beach, for he felt faint and sick, and he wish
ed to find help as soon as possible. After
toiling over slippery, Shiny rocks, and cruel,
tearing crags, until his clothing was all torn
and his flesh bruised and lacerated, he finally
reached an open space among the rocks where
many pieces Of the wreck had been lodged,
and whore he found the bodies Of three Of his
men. lie FASTENED to the spot where they
lay-two Of them being clasped in each 9TH
cr's arms-but he found no signs of life
With sad, heavy heart, Lester passed on,
and presently he found two more dead ones,
and one of them was David Griffin, his chief
mate He kneoled down by the officers side,
and raised the head but It was cold and lie
less and the skull was broken Gently he
laid II 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 !-wait-what is this It moves-it
has life
Captain Lester hurried forward, as fast as
his feeble strength would permit, and found
two men lying by tho side Of a heavy SPAR
One Of them was dead 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 Manglo, and he
had been one Of the best seomen on board
the ship.
"Poor Dick r. said Lester, kneeling by his
side and lifting his head. "Are you badly
hurt "
They've done it for us - the sailor an
swered, in weakening voice. They've
killed Tom. Amt he dead p
II 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 ho added, "what do you mean =
Who has done you harm 2"
Haven't you seen en- the man asked,
struggling for breath.
"Seen whom; What do you mean :" de-
manded Lester, eagerly.
Dick started up to his elbow, and gazcd
around but he seemed to find nothing for
which he was looking, and he sank back again.
Had he not made this effort he might have
spnknn further. hnt tho not of ri9ir-, hal
hausted 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 you; :"
Dick managed to raise his hand to his head
to point above the lett ear--and, as he
did so, he whispered
Look out-thcy asked for the capt tn
That's where they struck I" He tried to
speak further, but his voice failed him.
What could this meant Maurice Lester
started to his feet aud gazed around Who
had killed his menu
The captain was disturbed in his meditation
by the sound Of voices not far off. and upon
turning he bcheld four men coming up from
the water. He who came in advance was a
tall, muscular man with a gauut, heavy
frame; somewhere about fifty or fty-fye
years o. age and habitcd in a garb of blue
cloth, cut into a lrock, or shirt which was Sc
cured at the waist by a broad pistol-bclt.
Maurice Loster was startled when he be-
held the stalwart leader and his three ru(ian-
ly companions and, considering all the cir
it was no wonder that he was
startled, However, he had not much oppor-
lumty for reflection, for, by the time he hat
auiy made ont the party, they were upon him.
Halo, tho leader cried, as he saw our
hero, here We have another" And. as he
came mp, he added And ] guess we've
found live one, too,-ono that knows some
thing Say-who are yc? r.
This last sentence was addressed to Maui
rice, who quickly answered
My name is Lester And now, to be fair,
what is your name;"
well guess you've heard it before
Men call me Ryan Wolfgang."
"WoLFGANG F." repeated Lester, with A
start
Yes. That is my name,
Then WoLFGANG was not myth after all
That mysterious wrecker, whose name was
source OF terror TO honest sailors, was a being
flesh and blood, like other men. Maurice
gazed upon him with wonder; and, as he
ga1ed, he felt that he looked upon a fond in
carnate. Tic had often heard Of the pirate
wrecker, and so dark and mystic had been the
tales which the North-Sea sailors had told
that he had been inclined to believe that the
whole theme was fabrication Now. how
ever, he had no more doubt, for the man be-
fore him looked as dark and bloody as were
any Of the pictures he had heard drawn ofhim
upon the forecastle.
But our hero was not allowed much time
for reflection. Wolfgang piled him with oues-
tons to all Of which Lester gave straightior-
ward answers; we'll knowing that evasion
would serve no practical purpose, and hoping
by has iraRkness to propitate the merciess
hend IN whose unrestrained power he knew
himself to be-
When the wrecker chief had elected all the
information he could, and learned with what
a 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
coniederates that she would perhaps be a rich
or prize even than the White Faton had been
few years before. The mention of the name
OF the Inflated ship in which Carrie Thornton
and her father had been lost, gave Maurice
Lester such a shock that he nearly fell TO the
earth tie grew deadly pale. and his frame
quyerod convusively.
What's the matter said Wolfganp.-
You don't seem to have much strength ieft ,
Bring him along, boys, where we can doctor
him"
The sinister glance which accompanied this
last remark and fba nnc,I;.r