The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-24

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all that were alive-and their chienain
stepped out in front of them. He was
Spaniard, but spoke English very well.
"Do you surrender your ship" he
asked.
"Of course we surrender" spoke Sa-
wage, seeing that | hesitatcd. eve may
receive quarter if we surrender quietly"
"Ncuer !" spoke calm, clear voice,
and on turning we bcheld Walter Legrand.
4" Nererr' he repeated, while his dark eye
flashed fire, Z" ire ,rc Eaglishmen ?"
| saw that these words produced won
dcrful effect upon my crew, and SO they
did upon the other passengers, and ! must
confess that they went to my heart WIN
nerving power. Only Captain Savage
seemed to dislike them. Upon him they
seemed to crate harshly.
At this moment Mrs. Legrand came
upor deck. She had heard her sons voice.
and perhaps she thought he was in danger
Santa Maria that is my prize eH-
claimed one who seemed to be second IN
command among the pirates, as soon as hc
saw the beautiful woman. 80,
a. No. no. hv San Paulo-she's mine 4"
cried the chieftain: and as he spoke ne
started towards the spot where the widow
ed mother stood. His lieutenant followed
him, and so did several of the others.
"Stand back" said Walter.
cont, hoy, or die"
Thus spoke the pirate leader; but he
spoke no more, for the young mans sword
swept the air like lightning, and the vii
lain's head was cleft in twain. Another
stroke. and the lieutenant shared the same
fate. g,
"Now, men of England, show the blood
of Your proud nation
Every man heard those words, for they
were like buglc notcS-clcar, and ringing,
and distinct. | remember how Legrand
looked Mt that moment. lie had luSI
forced his mother below when he spoke,
and then he turned upon the crew. MS
head was up, his teeth set, his iincly-chi-
scllcd nostrils diStcnded, and his eyes lite
rally emitting sparks OF fire. lie dashed
like a lightning shaft among the foe, and
we all followed him. Ever and anon could
distinguish his form amid the smokc-ior
there were many pistols fircd-and |
couId see the flash of his blade where 1t was
covered with blood. | fought with all my
m;rlt-and so did all my men. Savage
fought, too, but he did not seek places of
danger rather seemed 10 keep his back
against the bulwarkS.
Ever and anon the flash of Walters
sword would catch my eye, and | failed
not to see man fall when it descended.
Nv own men looked to him as their lead
ing spirit, and | did not feel offended.
rather felt proud of him. How could |
help ii? Tie very genius of Mars seemed
h. sit within him. Ii was almost miracle
how nc swept away the foul villains from
before him. At length the deck began TO
grow thin of standing men, and streams Of
blood were lowing towards the scuppcrs.
reached Logrand's side, and saw stout
men lice from before him. | saw hiSarm
move, and | sawauother pirate fall.
Then a cry broke upon our ears. 1t was
cry for quarters, for mercy. The fight
ing ceased, and the living pirates were
huddIcd together in the Starboard gangway
and disarmcd. They numbered eleven
men, Ny next work vas to count my
own, and ! found eighteen OF them and
nine Of the infantry officers. In the CEN
ire Of the quarter deck stood Legrand. He
was leaning upon his sword, and tiny
stream of blood tricilcd down its faithful
blade and made a dark pool upon the deck
about its point. He was still calm and
serene. but the old look of sedatc and
melancholy had once more taken posses
sion Of his Couutcnlnce.
Captain Favor" he said, addressing
mo. "can YOU take care of the prisoners /"
/ quickly answered him, Yes"
"Then," said tie, 81 will 90 and COM
= Il Ia, Ia,
The prisoners were putinironsand placed
in SAT-, confinement, and we set to work
and cleared up the deck. All hands turn
ed workmcn, and ere long the dead were
scwcd up in old sails and buried in the
deep blue sca-fricnd and foe together.
There were but few wounded men. Such
as there were, however, were properly
cared for.
Thatevcning when we sat down to sup
per 40 one could have told trcm the APP
pearancc Of Walter Lcgrand that anything
unusual had happened. He met us with
that same smile OF recognition, and his
face wore that same look of unobtrusivc,
modest reserve. The meal was eaten
mostly in silence. | could see that the
other officers gazci upon the youth with
looks OF admirIug wonder, and even Cap
tain Savage was humbled and awed.
Lcyrand saw the looks that were cast
upon him, aud he knew we'll what they
meant. After he had finished his supper
hc wiped his lips, and We knew from his
movements that ne was going to speak. A
pin might have been heard TO drop at that
moment.
Gentlemen" he said, while slight
tra nj 49, Ia ~ "A
lip, "you all know what has passed since
| came on board this slip, and | shall not
recount the painful tale. have heard the
word coward" ard | have not resented
il, and had not this days events come to
pass, | should not now have made the eX-
PLANTATION which | am about to make,
for il might only have been received as the
hollow excuse Of one who dared not tight.
You have some of vuu heard OF my father.
He was a brave man, and good oihcer,
but in an evil hour lie had difficulty with
= brother officer, and he accepted the chal-
lenre to fight a duel. He met his cOmpa-
mon upon the field, and he fell. He had
marched boldly up 10 the lannon's mouth
for his beloved country, and his life was
spared that his bosom friend might take 1t.
Ny mother heard the sad story. She knew
my hot blood-shc knew was my fathers
child, and she feared for me. She drew
my head upon her griet-ladcu bosom, and
asked me 10 promise her that would never
give nor receive challenge 10 mortal com
bat, and that ! would never lend my coun-
tcuance or assistance IL the same in the
capacity Of friend. | made the promise
and sealed il with vow, and mothers