The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-05-25

great speec OF ms larry crai, that sne WAS max
Ing more rapid run out than he had ever knewn
before.
As the wind held to the northwest, keeping in
smooth water along shore, Marston concluded to
| keep inside the Gulf Stream all the way out,
skirting the Florida reef instead of going over
| the Bahama banks, Us he would have otherwise
done
They were down in the vicinity of Cape Gear
uauceral before anything occurred TO disturb
Marston in the least. Then after he came into
| the cabin from keeping the forenoon watch, both
of his passengers being on deck, his wife called
him into her state ROOM Her face was pale and
anxious and her manners nervous.
Edward" said she, addressing him by his first
na'ae, II do not want to alarm you necdlessly,
but do believe that Captain Gonzales, as he calls
himself, is n very bad man. On every opportun-
ity that he gets when you are not present, he is
talking to me of love, limiting ut wealth and lux
ury far above your means, and his eyes seem to
look right through me-"
III will watch his motions hereafter, dear Kate"
said Marston kindly "Spaniards and French
men have different ideas of women, from the
dent natures of their own nations, than those we
are accustomed to. The man may only mean to
be rely gallant; but if he prcsumes to annoy
you more will put damper on his fire. Both
no and his friend are II laundering to thick with
the crew. AT any rate / dol not like it. All, that
cry There is something wrong on deck. Kate,
get my rcvolvers and bring them to me; both are
loaded"
And the young captain sprang ON deck just in
time 10 the body of his mate with throat cut
from ear to ear, tossed overheard by Gonzales and
one Of the crew.
The next instant, as he turned to rush below
for his weapons, for he saw that the crew were
all with tho SpaniardS, he was knocked down by
handspike and instantly tossed overheard.
The terror of poor Mrs, Marston us she heard
the fearful noises overhead can be better imagin-
ed than described. She had just secured the two
navy rcvolvers. when she heard splash over
board, and looking ont at the stern cabin window
she saw the face and form of her husband in the
water. With rare presence of mind she took a
life-preserver from its beckett overhead and cast
it out of the window. and saw that il iell almost
within reach of her husband. and turning she saw
the hateful face Of Gonzales and moment after
that OF his companion as they entered the cabin
'Now, my pretty lady, as the schooner is ours
we will see if you cannot treat little more
kindly than you have done heretofore" cried Con
GALES his eyes cleaning red with passions fire.
Her answer was given with the Quokness Of
thought 1t was from the muzzles of one of her
revolvers, placed SO nearly in his face that his
shattered brains spattered all over her.
His companion turned to fly, but her blood
was up, and second ball. sent fairly through his
spine, brought him to the cabin floor and then.
springing over his writhing body, she rushed on
deck.
The first man she saw was the Spanish cook,
with long knife covered with blood, in his hands
for it was he who cut the throat of the mate. As
he rushed toward her ball pierced mis- forhcad,
and two more of the crew fell in second after
Us with handspikes in their hands they showed
signs of attacking her.
YurNinv IN th, MAN ar fha ba1,, ,ho st,,j
terror stricken. she instantly ordered him to put
the helm alec, and to put the schooner about.
For ut glance astern she saw thar her husband
had got hold of the lfe-preserver, and was strug-
Cling to follow the schooner.
Springing to the stern of the vessel with one
revolver yet full charged and load in the other,
she shouted, in voice as shrill and clear as the
blast of bugle.
The first man who disobeys an order Of mine
shall die ON the spot Your leaders are all dead
Il am well armed, and never miss my aim Flat
ten aft the sheets, and stand by to tack ship
Hard down that helm till she comes by the
windvs ffst&E ~ I'm
The men, terror-stricken by the fate of their
leaders and the dauntess bearing of that heroic
woman, obeyed the orders which her brief knowl-
edge Of seamanship enabled her to give, and in
less than twenty minutes she had the vessel
again hove TO, just toswindward of where her
husband, restored by the effect of water from
The stunning blow ne had received, was swimming,
easily by the aid of the life-preServer.
In couple Of minutes more he was on deck
and by her side and now the mutineers begged
7 NSArSmises wers made; but they were told
that tlihr oaly chance tor life was obedience TO
every orIersS ~ .-,-f
The Aodies Il the S,nniards were brought ont
ttom ~ cabin. andwith the three Others laid
atae Nv side gu the deck, and the vessel, being
again put on her course down the Florida coast,
EstOcd ON with'a speed that brought them in sight
vi Cape Florida light that night.
In the inor,,ing Captain Masston ran inside Of
the rcef " here tn his great JOY, he found IT, s.
Revenue Cutter, to the commander OF which he
taruedover his mutinous crew, receiving from him
laen enough to continue his voyage.
The dead men were taken ashore to Gey Lar
20 and buried, and the mutneers removed 10 the
Key West Jail, and held for trial-two of the
number turning stats evidence TO conyictthe rest
Y The Sylphide made her voyage to Hayanna
SAFELY, where new crew shipped. Captain Mars
tom soon sold out his cargo, purchased the return
load and III a few weeks more had vessel and car
70 III New York harbor
n When Mr., III. heard how narrowly the vessel
! had escaped being taken BY the Spaniards. both
oi Whom were old pirates, as the mutneers ac-
knowledged on trial, who intended to pursue
their aSuslerous trade in her, he expressed his
gratitude To the heroine of my story in a most
substantial nlaanen Owning pretty cottage,
and a snuS little farm in Westchester county, on
the line Of the HARLEM railroad, he gave her free
! deed OF the cottage and farrs on which, at this
time OF writing, she and her husband are resid.
ng, nor she would never consent to his going 10
sea again. 5tf t-a eaas8 sax a..
Aud he, who owed his life to her .heroism,
eoGId not refuse any wish u hers. So his maui
tieal life came to an end; Lat on small pond,