The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-07-14
THE PILOTS REVENGE.

THE PILOTS REVENGE.
It was toward night on the 23d of Sep.
tember, 1884. A small English war brig
which had been fitted out for the sup
preston of the smugglers, was lazily
creeping along over the heavy, monoto-
nous swells, just on the coast Of Galway,
and on her deck was being enacted scene
of somewhat more than common interest
The day before she had captured a small
| boat laden with contraband articles, to.
gether with an old mati and boy who had
charge Of them, and the captain Of the
brig, whose name was Dracut, had order
ed that the smuggler should be put in
irons. To this indignity the old man
made stout resistance, and in the heat
of the moment had so far forgotten him.
self as to strike the captain blow which
laid him upon the deck. Such an insult
to an English officer was past endurance,
and in punishment for this oAense the
smuggler had been condemned to die.
A single whip was rove at the starboard
foreyard-arm, and all hands were called
to witness the execution. The rope was
noosed and slipped over the culprit's head,
and the running end was rove through q
small snatch. block upon the deck. Until
this moment not . word escaped the lips
of the boy. He trembled as he beheld
the awful preparations, and as the fatal
moose was passed and drawn tight the
color forsook his cheeks, and he sprang
forward and dropped upon his knees be;
fore the incensed captain.
"Mercy, sir; mercy"
aFor whom2" asked the officer, while
contsmptuous smile rested upon his
lips.
"For that old man whom you are about
to kill" ii9f
"He dies, boy"
"But he is my father, SIR"
aNo matter if he were my own father;
that man who strikes an English officer
while in the performances Of his duty must
die.n
"But he was rnanacled-he was insult-
ed, sir" urged the boy.
"Insulted?' repeated the captain.
aWho insulted him."
"You did, sir" replied the boy, while
his face flushed with indignation.
"Get up, sir, and be careful that you
do not receive the same treatment, " said
the captain, in savage tone.
The old man heard this appeal Of his
son, and as the last words dropped from
the lips Of his captor, he raised his head,
and while look Of the utmost defiance
passed over his features, he exclaimed:
"Ask no favors, Robert. Old Karl Kin
took can die as we'll now as at any time,
let them do their worst"
Then turning to Captain, Dracut be
changed his tone for one of deep suppli-
cation, and said:
s.Do what you please to me, sir, but do
not hurt my boy, for he has done no
wrong. I am ready for your sentence,
and the sooner you finish it the better"
aLay hold of the whip!' shouted the
captain. "Lay hold. every man Of you,
and stand by to run the villain up.
In obedience to the order, the men
ranged themselves along the deck, and
each one laid hold Of the rope. Rob-
ert Kintock looked first at his father, and
then be ran his eyes along the line o:
men who were to be his executioners.
But not one pitying or sympathizing look
could he trace. Their faces were all hard
and cold, and they appeared anxious to
consummate their murderous work.
aWhat!'' exclaimed the boy, while a
tear started from his eye, and his lips
trembled, sis there not one, even, who can
pity2"
4aUp with himl' shouted the captain.
Robert buried his face in his hands,an
the next moment his father was swinging
at the fore yard arm. He heard the pas
sing rope and the creaking block and he
knew that he was fatherless.
Half an hour afterwards the boy knelt
by the side Of a.ghastly corpse, and asim-
pie prayer escaped his lips. Then anoth-
er low, murmuring sound came up from
his bosom, but none of those who stood
around knew its import. Itwas q pledge
of deep revenge! -
Just as the old mans body slid from
the gang board into the water, a vivid
fash Of lightning streaned through the
heavens, and In another instant the dread
artillery of nature sent forth roar SO
loud and long, that the men actually plac-
ed their hands to their ears to shut out
its deafening power. Robert Kintock
started at the sound, and what had caus-
ed dread in other bosoms, sent Q thrill Of
satisfaction to his own.
a0h, reyengel reyenge!" he muttered
to himself, as he cast his eyes cVet the
foam-crested waves which had already
risen beneath the power of the sudden
storm. sss,s
The darkness had come as quickly al
did the storm, and all that could be dis,
tinguished from the deck Of the brig,savt
the breaking sea, was the fearful, craggy
shore, as fash after flash Of lightning il
Illuminated the heavens.
"Light ho!' shouted man forward
and the next moment al eyes were di.
rected to bright light which had sud
denly flashed upon the distant rocks. s
The wind had reached its height, and
with it's giant power it sent the ill-fated
brig directly upon the snrf-bound shore
Of rocks and reefs, and every face, save
one, was blanched with fear. In vain did
they try to lay the brig to the wind, but
not sail would hold for an instant, unit
at length the men managed to get up :
fnra storm skau sail and than the hril