Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-03-14

an indescribablc air of elegance and re- iinemcnt that was in striking contrast with his superior officers rude and dominccring demeanor. But Tom, with all his gentlemsnly ways, which clung to him in spite of his efforts to adapt himself to his humble station, was no milksop. He was about twen- ty years of age, six feet high, broad shouldcrcd, straight limbed, slender, agile, with all the best points of an athlete of natures own making. In tclligent, fearless, and active, he was, although he had been but year in the service, one of the best sailors in the ship. It was in vain that Captain Moore sought to provoke him to insub- ordination by abusive language and by assigning him to disagrecablc and un- necessary jobs about the ship. Tom always responded respectfully, went to work cheerfully, and left no prctext for reprimand and punishment.
 It was the third night out from Ma pies, and the ship was holding steadily for the Dardanelles. A light breeze was blowing, and all sails set, the noble frigate clave the gently -heaving bosom of the Mediterranean. Some of the crew had turned in; others were gath cred in groups spinning their yarns ; and the watch were quietly perform ing their respective functions. Tom was standing in the waist, as near the quartcr-deck as the etiquette of the ship permitted, and, leaning upon the hammock-nettings, was looking mood fly aft, with an impression of uneasi- ness and sadness unusual to him. It might have been murmur of the waves or the breeze singing through the cordage, but something very like n deep-drawn sigh softly broke upon the stiffness of the night. But that other sound--thcre was no mistaking that--it was the suppressed shrick ofa woman. Tom started and from his deep bosom there came groan of pain and anxiety. Then the cabin door abruptly opened, and Beppo came running along the waist, looking wild and frightened. Tom hurried aft 1; they met and the two were claspcd in each others arms. The story, whatever it was, soon told in whispers, broken by sobss and the sailors brow grew black, and his eyes famed with anger. He had but time to utter a few words of encouragement and consolation, when Captain Moore appeared on the quarter-deck, and walked slowly towards them.
 "Go forward, d---n you! Col" he nuttcrcd savagcly to Tom. "Bcppo, get you 10 the cabin gnp s.s.-
 But Beppo stirred not; and Tom said, sternly, "Captain Moore, let there be an end of this poor afreotation of disguise. This lady, urged by wo-, manly impulse, has been 80 imprudent as to assume the attire that so little be- comes her. to follow one she loves. You have been so guilty as to take advantage of that imprudcnce to seek her dishonor. If you have any sense of manhood, you will leave her, till we reach port, under my protection"
 'xYou son of gun!" shouted the. Captain 'none of your fine talk to me. Go forward, l say! Come, BeppoH }.
 "Captain Moore," said Tom, placing himself before the weeping girl, "you arc absolute here, and I am powerless. But, by the heaven that is master above us both. if you wrong that woman, as your lustful heart proposes, your life shall pay for it, if ever Providence leaves my hand free to strike the blow!n
 "Put that man in irons" said the Captain to the sergeant of marines, who stood by, with others, wondering at the strange scene.
 The sergeant laid his hand on Toms shoulder; but the latter shook him ofF and sprang furiously at the Captain :; but before he could reach him, he was surrounded by the officers who had assembled was overpowered in spite of his desperate resistance, taken be- low, and put in irons.
 Beppo, for SO we must continue to call the beautiful unknown, had mean- while, escaped to the forccastle, and had appealed to the honest tars for pro- lection. Powerful as was the habit of discipline, so much were their feelings enlisted in behalf of the defenceless woman, that it is probable that dis turbance, if not mutiny, would have ensued, if the Captain had made any further attempts at coercion. But he sullenly retired to his cabin, evidently impressed with the arguments of his first lieutenant, who, shocked and dis gusted at the scene he had witnessed, had firmly rcmonstrated with his su- pcrior against any further breach of the decorum due to her Majesty's ser vice.
 The next day at noon, startling cry resounded through the ship p:-
 "All hands to witness punishment r
 Slowly the diseontented crew obey ed the call, and assembled in the waist. They knew what was coming, and not man among them that would not willingly have taken the place of the cnlprit, rather than see their favorite, Tom, sthc gentleman lashcd to that grating, and subjected to the indignity of public whipping. But they were drilled to obedience; and though ev- cry man protested, no hand or voice