The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1860-08-15
The Foreton.Man.


for misdemeanor on condition that the offender would
serve Uncle Sam three years before the mast
Not only the conviction, but those who stood in
danger of the law have otensought refuge board;
has often found an asylum under the bunting. Dis
cpline in the days refer to- was strict however for
and the ca and cota (ie, the ropes end Aourshed
in unrestrained freedom wherefore the iereest spirits
curbed and the danger of insubordinaon was not
SO great as might appear, | have more than once,
during my night watches the focaste, heard adrnis-
sons which ought to have consigned their utterer to
condign punishment years before. Often have stood
face to face with selfconfessed pirate There were
no specific facts admitted, Of course, which would
rant any proceedings against the individual; but in
regard to the general truth Of them, Ientertaned
! doubt.
Even pirates, however not totally depraved; for
to this frghtful career well to other dark crimes
are sometimes impelled, by force of circumstances
men who undera different state of things might have
gone peacefully and harmlessy through life. Sdch
have no doubt was the case of George Carlton fore
toppan the frgate in which made my last cruise.
had not been long at in charge of the focastle
before noticed him smart active sailor, but one
who seldom spoke unless spoken to- and whose manly
countenance air of habtual thought and sad
ness. said it was by accident that learned Garlic
tons history; this the only occasion which /
ever saw him during the three years cruise moved from
| his usual camness.
! Sailors handy very harsh epithcts with each other
occasionally, almost always without any thought, o..
meaning as to their application, or intention to offend
We had on board Mahonese who was notoriously
foumoutlcd but of whom no one took serious notice.
! One night, we sailing along with fair,
STEADY breeze, and the watch deck scattered
around in groups, spinning yarns Willing away-the
time in chat Tonic began chat Carleton who bore
lit quietly and indltierentlY as "a lion might the
antics OF monkey, only given dsdainfu slap back
occasionally, just hard enough show his superiority
always to raise the lau9h at Tono's expense who, a
little irritaed, perhaps, at his failure and to
escape from encounter where he getting worsed
exclaimed, tauntingly, as he turned to 90 off:
/ "0h, 90 along you bloody pirate: you've made
many an honest tellcw walk the plank, m bct.n
| happened 10 be looking directly to Carleton when
! Tonic uttered these words, and never saw such a
change come over human eountenance. 1t had been
calm haughty and disdaintul; in instant it bazed
with theIage Of demonl He jumped 10 his feet and
made rush at his insulter like the onset of a wild
beast, while Tonic, with laugh, lodged nmbly under
/ the boomS As Carleton passed ME s;w something
CLEAN in his hand and quick thought sprang after
him, caught him by the shoulder, and commanded him,
in sharp, authoritative voice, TO desis He obeyed
without hesitation saying, he returned his sheaf
knife
=" thank you, sir, and beg your forgiveness If you
would only not mention this.
"Ill see about it, Carleton was my reply; for,
somehow or other, the man had interested me, andI
averse to punishment, unless it that of those
for giving trouble on board nlan-ot-war.
was satisfied, before the watch was over, that no
one except nlySelfnot even Ferrs-was aware Of the
drawn knife So, having given the Mahonese warning
not to play his prauks about the oeaste in future,
ntmated to Carleton, after was relieved from duty
that wished few minutes talk with him.
If YOU would not mind running up into the fotop
for short time before you turn m sir l would be
grateful for some conversation with you.
| had noticed that whenever Carleton spoke, except
in relation to his duties his style and language
above his condition. aud his invitation eFnced habits
of observation and Judgment. had seldom addressed
him before perhaps never off duty but he was aware
that | frequently spent my time alott, and that
accustomed to talk freely with the than any
Vti.er efi,or on board and to sympathise with them
And here let me say by way ofparenthesis that HEe
never found it derogate from my dignity or lessen the
respect due to my rank, to acknowledge in my depor
ment the common humanity which bound me even to
the humblest. .-.t
As soon were fairly seated in the top and earle
ton had intimated to the watch that he would
take his place for an hour, he said to me;
thank YOU Mr.. Brace, for not carrying that foolish
matter which happened on deck any further
How do you know that shall not report YOU,
Carleton?9
Because you are not one to geta fellow into trouble
for the error of rash impulse and because you know
that punishmenttor my mistake would not make bet
ter man Of me, that YOU can do kind act with an
easy conscience. You are the only one who observed
what did sir"
You are right Carleton, have no intention of re-
porting YOU, especially see you regret your fault;
but would like to know if YOU have no objection to
tell me said ], "why words, words which were eYi-
IDENTITY used at random, and which are so commonly
banded about on shipboard aroused you fearfuy"
1t is to tell you, SIR that asked you up in the top
You may think it strange, after you have heard me-
that do so, and You will hereafter dstrust me, most
probably, but you have shown me more kindness than
any Of my superiors, and have done generous
act tonight and, even beyond all this that impulse is
upon me which makes men sometimes without apparent
reason reveal the fatal secrets after guarding
them carefully for years. Did you reflect sir on
the doctrine of confession practised by the catholic
ehurch?n
g cannot say that ever did, was reply. And
was truly astonshed at the elevated tone and refined
dicton OF the who was thus conversing with me.
i" Well, sir whoever established that doctrine hit up
on of the chief weaknesses of human nature, and
adopted it most adroy to further the ends of priest
craft The more weghty secret the more earnest are
We at some time other to share it with another even
at the risk of our own uIdoing-but will not detain
you with idle discussions The men say, Mr.. Brace,
you fond of good yarn will tell youa brief enc,
which will add strong testimony to that already aceu-
mulated, that truth is stranger than fiction.
6 was born continued he "of wealthy and most
respectable parents, the shore of Maryland
Their name, if / told it. would be familiar to you for
it is historic in the annals of our country was edu
Gated with care, nor can accuse myself of an evil
disposition My spirits We're naturally high, and took
great delight in physical exercise especially on the
water Atcollege made the acquaintance of Spaniard
Ia young man Of deep and subtle character and an
intriguing disposition, most agreeable and fascinating
in his manner. He Older than by several years Our
family were catholics and on different occasions he /
me home where he made himsefagreea
and wecome-to ore person, alas toe welcome,
though none of us it until it late This was
my orphan cousin Carrie one of the most beautiful
girls ever saw When first began to love Carrie /
hardly know suppose it was from the first moment
she was brought to our home after the death of her
parents. That she loved me always firmly believe;
but there is certain magnetism about peculiar natures
which attracts others in despite of themselves the
snake ssaid to charm the bird Apparently, Raymond
Gomez was the most open and frank person, and his
seeming indifference to Carries presence, polished off
with formal politeness gave no cause for apprehenioh
while the girl actually appeared to avoid him, and /
have doubt did go into his presence with reluctance
but once listening to his glowing and eloquent descrp
lion of southern emes, his tales of daring adventures
she sat as under spell of enchantment. Nothing on
he part of Gomez indicateda knowlede of the power
ne was exercising, nor as sa asofe or les portook
p the saae I-casare p atliEs "a him, vas thjs n
iaenee over tN3ie nGtiasd 0nee, indeed I came
upon shem III tle Hatjog @0ne aid remembered after
Eards slaJ she was pale ud trIn3ng While his deep,
mysterious baeE eyes were fgef u2on her If ea-
leayorirg fo mssmerie lniiuotce Nc suspicious
aa17eaI tfstla aaff fse55