The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-07-04
The Pilots Revenge

1t was toward night on the 2lst OF
September, 1884. A small English war
brig, which had been fitted out for the
suppression of smugglers, was lazily
creeping along over the heavy, mono.
tonous swells, just on the coast OF Gal
way, and en- her deck was being enact
ed q scene of somewhat more than COM
mon interest. The day before she had
captured small boat laden with contra
band articles, together with an old man
and boy who had charge of them, and the
captain of the brig, whose name was
Dracnt, had ordered that the smuggler
should be put in irons. To this indig-
nity the old man made n stout resist
ance, and in the heat of the moment
had so far forgotten himself 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 offence the
smuggler had been condemned to die.
A single whip was rove at the star
board 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 small suatch-block upon
the deck. Until this moment not a
word escaped the lips of the boy. He
trembled as he beheld the awful pep
arations, and as the fatal moose was
passed and drawn tight the color for
sock his cheeks, and he sprang forward
and dropped upon his knees before the
incersed captain.
Mercy, sir; mercy"
"For whom ?" asked tho officer, while
n contemptuons smile rested upon his
lips.
"For that old man whom you are
about to kill"
HE dies, boy"
"But he is my father, sir"
"No matter il he were my own father:
that man who strikes an English officer
while in the performance of his duty
must die"
But he was manacled-he was in
suited, sir, urged the boy
"Insultedp repeated the captain.
"Who 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 tho saine 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 bis captor, he raised his head,
and while look of the utmost defiance
passed ever his features, he exclaimed.
"Ask no favors, Robert. Old Karl
Kintock can die as we'll now as at any
time; let them do their worst"
Then turning to Captain Dracut he
changed his tone for one of deep sup
plication, and said;
"Do what you please To me, sir, bnt
do not hurt my boy, for he has done no
wrong. ! am ready for your sentence,
and the sooner yon finish il the het
ter"
clay hold of the whip~ shouted the
Captain. Lay hold, every Blan of
you, and stand by to run the villain
up"
In obedience tn the order, the met,
ranged themselves along the deck, and
each one laid hold of the rope. Robert
Kintock looked first az his father, and
then he ran his eyes along the line of
men who were To be his eNecutioners.
But not one syppathizing or pitying
look could he trace. Their faces were
all hard and cold, and they appeared
anxious TO consummate their murderous
work.
"Wbatr exclaimed the boy, while u
tear started from his eye, and his lips
trombled, sis there hot one, even, who
can pityT7
"tp with him." shouted the Captain.
Robert buried his face in his hands,
and the next moment his rather was
swinging ct the forearm. He heard
the passing rope and the creaking
block aud he knew that he was father
less.
Half an hour afterwards the hoy
knslt by the side of CHASTITY corpse, and
. simple prayer escaped his lips. Then
another low murmuring sound came mp
from his bosom, but none OF those who
stood around knew its import. IL was
q pledge o deep revenge!
Just as the old mans body slid from
the gang-board into the water, vivid
fash Of lightning streaned through the
heavens, and in another instant the
dread artillery of nature sent forth a
roar 30 loud and long, that the men ac-
tuslly placed their hands to their ears
to shut ont its deafening power. Rob
ert Kintock started ut the sound, and
what had caused dread in other boSoms,
sent thrill Of satisfaction to his own.
sob, revenge! revenge!" he mutter-
cd to himself, as he cast his eyes over
the foam-crested wares which had al
ready risen beneath the power of the
sudden storm.
The darkness had come as quickly as