The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1868-01-09


ders had been obeyed to the letter.
All FASTENED aboard the two maid
ems were concealed below the boat was
stripped of its gay trappings the gaudy
cabin metamorphosed into a common
hatchway. A deck was laid, and Il
number Of fish, recently taken, scatter,
eG over it. The whole was smoared
with mud and slime, and the two oars
men, who remained in sight, could not
in the cleareat sunshine have been Ia
ken for other than ordinary fisherman,
propelling fishing craft OF the COM
monest description.
AS the transformed piDnaoe slowly
glided down the stream, a number of
barges met them, bearing Don Garcia
and his retinue, who, unable to capture
Alonzo by land, had taken up the pur-
suit upon water.
"Tell me knaves," shouted the Don,
" have ye seen the imposter's pinnace
above2 ?"
What ;mposter, my lord "
"What imposter, forsooth :! " yelled
the Don !" "by st. Jago, if thou answer
est not will cleave thee from crown to
sole !"
"Nay, my lord" replied the oarsman,
in feigned tremulous accents, d" we have
seen no pinnace."
"S'death then he has escaped US !.
Row, row on
So the seeming fishing boat passed
by, and reaching a small vessel anchor
ed in the harbor, was, with its occu.
pants, quickly hoisted into it, and that
night weeping and wailing rang through
the ducal mansion, for the lovely Donna
Inez had hidden an eternal adieu to the
shores of Spain.
Arriving at the island rendezvous,
Al0nzo, caused 4 throne to be prepared
in which he conducted lnez, and calling
around him his enthusiastic followers,
announced to them their queen. They
received her with shouts of welcome,
and each man solemnly devoted the last
drop of his blood to her honor and
safety.
The island was one of group so sit
uated that the pirate vessel could be in
its barbor, totally concealed from any
passing ship, yet everything that trav~
ersed the waters within sight Of the
group, could be discernCd from her
masthead, as well as from the nook in
the hills, where the chieltan had con-
structed his dwelling. This last was a
rural bower, shining within with silks
and gems, and its rear opened into a
cavern, extending many hundred feet
into the rocks, where were gathered the
richest spoil. The cottage, the habita.
tions Of the men, the openings IRON the
cavern to the water, even the paths
which led to them, were entirely con,
cealed by the luxuriant tropical growthS
and all the implements of their calling,
were, on their return from cruise, so
carefully hidden away, that one 'un-
familiar with the place, might land
upon the island, without finding any
trace of human life.
Inez reigned here in perfect happi-
ness for few days. But Alonzo's fiery
soul painted for action. His men had
discovered a strange sail in the ofiug,
and he burned to share iu its capture
Our story opens during the preparations
for this cruise.
The litJle vessel lay at the mouth of
the harbor, her slender masts and flmy
rigging delicately traced against the
starlight sky. Alonzo had been point
ing out her beauties to his queen, and
endeavoring to make her share in the
delight of his wild anticipations. But
for the first time in his life, he failed in
this. She sought to stay him with all
her powers of persuasion. Tenderly he
demonstrated with her, bidding h er dis.
miss her fears. And now the full moon
leaped above the horizon there was
hurrying end t-alnping on the deck OF
the schooner, She began to spread her
white wings, and as they rounded out
before the breeze, a boat put off to
shore for the chieftain. He clasped the
betrothed in his arms, pressed one long,
kiss upon her lips, then stepping into
the boat was soon lost to the view Of
Donna Inez.
Months passed and yet he came not
His band sailed on every sea, and visi,
ted every port in search OF him, in vain.
When The sickness of hope deferred
had settled dowd upon her heart, as she
was one afternoon sweeping the horizon
with her glass, she saw a strange sail
bearing directly down upon the island
Nearer, nearer it came, and with JOY she
recognized Alonzo's pennon. IN less
than two hours the fresh breeze brought
the stranger into the harbor. He met
Inez on the beach, and snatohing her in
his arms exclaiming.
"We are betrayed, pursued our on
ly safety is in flight"