The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-08-16
OIUlIE 27} ALEXANDRIA, La WEDNESDAY, ATT4ITsT 1e 1871

"Where?n asked the captain.
Con the starboard bow, sir, and max
ing toward u.s."
); "Mr. Williams" cried the captain t.
the mate, 'hadn't you better take tn
glass up aloft, and see what she look
like 2"
Gay, ay, sir" said the mate, and
| with hurried step, he proceeded tt
his state-roorn, procured telescope
and was soon ascending the rigging a
a rapid rate.
Scan you make her out, Mr.. VIII
liams?" called the captain.
/ SAY ay, sir. She's Chinaman o
about three hundred tons, and bearing
straight down on us; and three Others
astern, sir" cried the mate.
"Pirates, by Heaven" exclaimed thu
captain, for the moment moved from
his customary propriety.-"Come dowI
Mr.. Williams. All hands on deck !"
| And, obedient to his command, the
men focked On deck from forecastle
and scanned the horizon with eager
eyes.
"Come boys" said he ssdon't stand
gaping there, for the pirates of China
are on us. Cut loose those carronades
Mr.. johnson. Bring out the rifles, and
sharpen the cutlassess. Be brisk, men
More lively! By Joye, We must fight
now! Get the ammunition out And
Mr.. Roberts, an extra glass of grog fol-
the men!''
For a moment a nervous anxiety
appeared upon the faces of the men
but that was soon replaced by q look
of fixed determination which threaten
ed disastrous consequences to their OPP
ponents. The rapidity with which the
captain issued his orders seemed mo-
mentarily to discomfort them but his
placid features and nervous energy
seemed to inspire them with renewed
courage and confidence in his ability
to successfully cope with their merci-
less pursuers.
Having completed his preparations
on deck, Captain Hudson entered the
cabin; and there, pale as marble and
trembling with fear and excitement,
sat Lettie Fay. To grasp her to his
4 heart and kiss her was the first i'm
pulse Of his affectionate nature.
"My poor, dear girl" said he; "the
Image of my sister, whom loved, SC
well, whose name SO sacredly rev.
erence, and whom promised on he,
ldeath-bed to be father to her child,
the only fear l have known L feel now.
have plowed the ocean, Lettie, fol-
forty years, and my cheeks never
blanched before the fury of gale.-
But when look upon you, my darling,
and think OF those blood-thirsty scoun-
drels who pursue us, 1 tfemble when
think what fate may be in waiting for
you, for they know not mercy"
"But, my dear uncle, they will not
capture us. See, we are we'll armed,
and have many brave men aboard, who
would sacrifice their lives to shield us
from harm. Surely we shall beat them
off, or escape their clutches
"It may be So" he replied calmly ;
but how can we hope to succeed
against such overwhelming Odds
Lettie, do you remember the night
that your mother died9 You were at
one side of the bed, I was at the other,
your hand was clasped in hers. She
said something about duty. Do you
remember what it was, Lettiea" ~
Oh, uncle! how could I ever forget
those sacred words 2 She said, Iettie,
l have placed you in your uncle's care.
Be kind and obedient to him obey
him as you always have me, and your
life will be devoid of snares, and hap
piness and comfort will crown your
declining years. You know, uncle, I
faithfully promised"
"Now, Lettie, listen. My place is
with my men upon the deck of this
vessel. Where the fight is the thick
est, there I shall always be found
Lettie, we may never meet again but
by the memory of thy dead mother,
charge thee to hear mo, and hearing,
obey. Within this locker are two
kegs of powder; one shall take upon
deck, the other l shall open and leave
with you. Here is my pistol. Stir
not from here but if Chinaman en-
ters the cabin door, you will know
that all is lost. Then, with firm
hand, and muzzle close to the powder,
dischargesshe pistol, and leave the rest
to Heaven
ooh, uncle! what dreadful deed do
you contemplate Would you ask me
to blow up the shipf How could l
face my God with such a crime upon
my hands Oh, you know not what
you ask! Only think that mine should
be the hand to hurl SO many brave
souls into eternity! Ask me anything
but this, and / will cheerfully comply. .
"My dear child, fear not for us. for
the pirates of China never allow a hu-