The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-08-16
NUMBER 5.

cabin boy appeared, and in an excited
tone informed the captain that Mr..
Williams wished to see him on deck
Immediately. Waiting only to wills
lper word of encouragement to Lettie,
he at once repaired to the deck of tho
vessel.
Captain Hudson took his position
where he could encourage his men, and
at C h the movements of the APP
preaching vessels. That they were
swift sailors was already apparent;
their spars soon strcaked tie horizon,
their hulls became visible and even
the dim outline of the crowd upon
their deck could be family discerned.
If any doubt still remained regarding
the character of the approaching YES
sells, it was soon dispelled by the dis
charge Of a heavy gun, the shot from
which passed over the Marion and
disappeared in the sea beyond.
In q very short time the action be-
came general: the crew fought well
and desperately, but the terrible odds
with which they contended became
every moment r,ore manifest. Nearer
the pirates approached till the rattle
of musketry became incesssant. They
were soon alongside, and amidst a
cloud of smoke, they mounted tho
bulwarks, mped upon the deck, and
engaged in q hand -to-h hand contest
with the crew.
A long and deadly fight ensued.-
With cutless in hand, the captain was
seen in the thickest of the conflict,
dealing death and destruction at every
blow; but foot by foot, and inch by
| inch, they were steadily being driven
back and into the sea, when the loud
report of heavy gun was heard. 1t
was like throwing ice on boiling wa
tiers. For moment the combat ceas-
ed, and all eyes were inyoIuntariIy
turned to ascertain the cause of this
strange firing. A short distance astern,
with every sail set, guns unlimbered,
and flying like the wind was the Vixen.
The pirates, paralyzed for moment, .
stood like statues, until above the
tumult was heard the clarion voice. Of
their leader ordering a retreat. Cap
tain Hudson heard the order, saw the
man who uttered it, and pouncing
upon him like tiger, cut him to the
waist. 1t was Chang Lay.
Observing the movement Of the pir-
ates, the Vixen opened upon them with
grape, and soon the sea was stained
with their blood. Seeing that further
resistance was useless, the survivors
surrendered, were put aboard one of
the vessels, in charge of portion of
the crew detailed for that purpose,
and were sent back to China, where
the executioners speedily severed their
heads from their bodies, in a manner
peculiar to that fowery region.
Captain Crane soon appeared upon
the deck of the Marion, where he was
received by the captain with open
arms. He had brought his surgeon,
who was soon engaged in alternating
the sufferings of the wounded, and
making preparations for the burial of
the dead. Leaving him thus intcntly
engaged in performing this sacred duty
together the captain and the young
man entered the cabin.
There sat Lettie Fay, her lips COM
pressed with firm determination, her
eyes sparkling like diamonds, and her
face so deadly white that cold thrill
passed through the frames of each as
they gazed upon her. By her side
stood the open keg of powder, while
she still held the pistol in her hand.
fully cooked, the barrel of which rest
ed upon the edge of the .keg, while
the muzzle was actually buried in the
coarse grained powder. In this posi-
ton, with her eyes riveted upon tho
cabin door, she had remained through
the terrible battle that had just ended,
waiting for the signal to carry out the
fearful order of her uncle.
When she saw Richard Crane enter,
she gave wild shrek of joy and fell
insensible into his arms. The pistol
dropped from her grasp, and quivering
for an instant upon the edge of the
keg, fell into it, and lay harmless upon
its terrible contents. The escape was
a narrow one.
Carefully removing the pistol, Cap
tain Hudsoncast the powder into tho
sea. For the second time that day
had he stood upon the brink ofeternity.
Restoratives were applied, con-
seriousness returned, and over and
over again was Richard compelled to
explain to Lettie the particulars of his
opportune arrival.
The appearance of Chang Lay at the
cabin door on the evening of the ball
had excited his suspicious, and as he
watched him closely he discovered
that he was actually examining the
armament of the ship. He followed
him stealthily as he quilted the ship,
jumped into his gig, which lay in wait
ing, and followed cautiously, until he
saw him ascend the side of piraticaI
looking craft, when he immediately
repaired with all speed to his vessel.
and reporting the fhets to the admiral,
was ordered to follow the Marion until
she was safe out of Chinese waters.
Owing to the breaking of n portion of
the machinery, he was compelled to
use his sails; hence the delay.
The rest of my story is soon told.
After q prosperous voyage, the Marion
arrived safe in the Downs, where tho
Vixen was already riding at anchor.
having been ordered home, owing to