Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-07-28
SfIeft Story.
DANISH JUSTICE.
Story OF the War Between England
and France.

"A
and France.
The war had broken out between Eng
land and France; Bonaparte had broken
the treaty of Amiens; all was consterna-
tion among the English in India, par
tieularlv those who had valuable cargoes
at sea. and those who were about to re-
turn TO their native land. 1 was one OF
the latter class; so joyfully accepted a
massage home on board Dane-Den-
mark, as yet, remaining neutral IN the
quarrel.
So far as luxury went, L certainly
found her very inferior to the regular
India-men, but as sailor she was lar
superior, and in point of discipline, her
crew was as well regulated, and as strict
ly commanded, as the crew of a Brltlsn
man-of-war. In fact, such order, regu-
laritv and implicit obedience L could
never have believed to exist on ooard
merchantmen. The chief mate was
one of the finest young men ever saw
He had Just been.promoted to his pres
ent post-not from the mere fact OF his
being the owners son, but really from
sterling merit. He was beloved by the
crew among whom he had served as is
usual in the Danish service, five years,
and was equally popular among his
brother officers and the passengers re-
turning to Europe.
The only bad character we had on
board-aswarthy Unlocking Portuguese
who managed somehow or other daily
to cause some disturbance among the
seamen. For this he had often been
reprimanded, and this evening when
this sketch opens he had just been re-
leased from irons, into which he hao
been ordered for four and twenty hours
by the chief mate, for having attempted
to poison sailor who had offended him.
In return for having punished him thus
. severely the irritated Portuguese sWore
to revenge himself on the first officer.
The mate, who was called Charles
was walking in the waist with beautl'
full English girl. to whom he was en-
gagged to be married, when suddenly
ere a soul could interpose, or ever
suspect his design, the cook rushed Tor
ward and buried his knife with one
plunge into the heart of the unfortunate
young man, who fell without cry, as
the exultant Portuguese burst forth
into demeuiac laugh of triumph.
Unconscious of the full extent OF bel
bereavement, the poor girl hung ovel
him; and as friend who had rushed
forward to support him drew the knife
from his bosom, with an effort the
youpg man turned toward her, gave he
the last look of affection, and as thu
blade left the wound, fell corpse int
the arms of him who held him.
By this time the Captain had come OF
deck. He shed tears like child, TO
he loved the young man as his own son
The exasperated crew would have IN
stantIy fallen on the assassin and takel
summary vengeance, but were onl.
kept within bounds by their command
er's presence. The cook, who appeare'
to glory in his deed, was instantly seize'
and confined. The corpse was takel
below while the wretched betrothe'
was carried in a state of insensibility +
her cabin.
Eight bells had struck, the followin
evening, when received summons
attend on deck. 1 therefore instantl
ascended, and found the whole of th
crew, dressed in their Sunday clothes
together with all the officers of the shi
and passengers assembled. The me
of duty were lining either side OF th
deck; the Captain, surrounded by hi
officers, was standing Immediately i
front of the poop, and the body OF tn
unfortunate victim lay stretched on
grating-over which the national flag
Denmark had been thrown-immed
ately in the centre. In an instant sa'
that I was summoned to be present
the funeral of the chief mate, and M
heart beat high with grief as uncovere
my head and stepped on the quartz
deck
It was nearly a dead calm. We hs
passed the trades and were fast a.
preaching the lines; the sun had begu
to decline, but still burnt with fervel
heat, the sails hung listlessly again
the masts, and the mainsail was braidt
up, to go forward. 1 had observed g
the morning still stronger indicatio
of our approach to the torrid zon
Through the clear blue water 1 had r
marked couple of sharks following Il
vessel, accompa MED by their usual COZ
panions, the pilot fish. This the sailo
had expected as a matter of course,
they superstitiously believe these mo
sters of the deep always attach thei
selves to a ship in which dead boz
lies, anxiously anticipating their drea
full meal. In their appearance, howev'
I only saw the usual announcement
our viciniy of tthe line.
In such weather, placed in a sh
which seems to represent the wht
world-shut out from all save the lit
bond which encircled us, with the wi
ond fathomless element around us-t