Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-07-04

poured o round of pistol. shots into us, which
riddled our sail, but without causing any
other damage that could perceive.
"Down-down-for your life, lad" 7
cried to Donna Paulina. "Get into the
bottom of the boat Another discharge
like that and you will be killed"
"Think you I ain a coward, Michael" ?"
returned the lady. "No! 1t is my duty to
assist you in the defence of our boat against
those bad men and shall do it, or die in
the attempt, like you, my brave. noble
sailor!"
And fight she did. Never did woman,
or man either, for that matter, show more
heroism than did that beautiful young Creole
on that night. Her nature seemed sudden
ly changed; and taking deliberate aim at
the approaching pirates, she picked them
lof, one by one, each time re-chargiug her
piece with the cooness of sportsman, till
when they finally pulled up alongside of
our launch, their number had been reduced
to but four.
The remainder, furious with passion, dis.
charged their pistols almost ii our faces
The ball of one passed through my left
shoulder; and cry from the lady's maid
told me she had received another. The four
were about to leap into the launch, when,
with my pistols, 1 laid two of them in the
bottom of their skiffs but as was raising
my sabre, to strike another who stood over
me, l felt crashing sensation through my
head, and from that moment / knew no
more of what occurred about me.
Daylight was streaming over the quiet
waters when / revived, and found myself
still on board the launch, which was now
bounding gently landward. \ soft, wester-
ly wind was filling our sail, and the waves
broke musically upon our bows and quarter,
as the boat sped along. l was lying on the
bottom of the boat; and in the stern sheets
sat the Spanish lady, directing our course,
with countenance as undisturbed aud trust
full. as if the last night had not been one
of terrible interest. Near me reclined the
maid, who could perceive, had been but
slightly hurt. The lady turned her eyes
upon my face, and perceiviug that | had
returned to consciousness, gave an exclama-
tion of JOY, and came to my side, and held
water to my lips. The draught still! more
revived ME, and begged to know how We
had escaped the pirates, after my last wound.
"Your sabre. stroke" said she, "was true
to its mark, and the pirate fell into the sea
as his companion levelled his pistol at your
head and fired. The ball passed through
the scalp, and knocked you insensible; this
guessed from the amount of blood that
Immediately followed. Taking advantage
of the mans position, raised the stock of
the gun had brought with me, and throwing
all my strength into the blow, I knocked
him from the launch, when he sank into
the sea to join his fellows and now, thank
God, we are safe ! for, look-youder is the
landw
In two hours more, We were among the
lady's friends, at La Guayra. When l was
sufficiently recovered from my wounds to
be moved, Don Gregorio, the husband of
Donna Paulina, conveyed me, in company
with his brave wife and servant, to his es
tates in the island Of Margarita, where
spent six of the bappiest months of my life.
But life of idleness did no longer suit me,
and l notified my friends of my intention
to leave them.
The planter, seconded by the heroic Don
na, would have heapod gold upon me; but
I refused all, asking for no other remem-
brance of the event that had given me two
such warm friends, than the Spanish fusee
you now find in my possession. And such,
sir, is the story belonging to it. And
now, poor and homeless as l am, there is
no money that would tempt me to part with
that old companion and souvcnier Of the
past