The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-04-04

when, in the dead Of night, the fearful cry
OF "fre" was heard, which aroused all
from slumher. In vain were efforts made
to quench the flames. The seamen in fright
rushed into the only available boat, and It
sank with them. and left them struggling in
the ocean. borne away by the wind and
waves, while Mr.. DeweE and Mary, the cap
tain of the ship, and a few others, were
huddled away upon the stern, awaiting the
fearful doom that must, to all appearance,
overtake them.
"Sail, no !"
The joyous cry came from the captain,
who had been straining his eyes over the
ocean, in hopes of seeing some vessel COM
ing to save them. Swiftly flying towards
them came n low, rakiSh, three.masted
schooner. which ever and amor sent up a
light to prove to those on board the burn
ing ship that succor was near.
Hank the deep boom of a gun is heard,
and as the captain listens he eXciaims,
"MiSs Dewes, we are all right now cheer
up. for there comes a vessel of-war to our
aid"
"Ship ahoy! !" came in ringing tones
from the schooner, Us she came near the
burning ship. which was being driven rap
idly along by the wind.
"Ahoy !" answered the captain.
Throw 4 long line from your ship, and
| will send you a boat" came in the same
clear tones.
The line was thrown, the boat attached,
and, after a little difficulty, the people
from the ship were transferred to the
schooner, and Mary was soon in the COM
Portable cabin, rejoicing over their escape
from q horrible death.
At breakfast the next morning the Young
captain of the war-schooner descended to
join his guests at the table, and as he en-
tered, Mary sprang towards him.
Crank Mercer! Oh! it is you-is it
not?"
One glance at the beautiful girl, and,
though years had passed, Frank Mercer
for 1t was no othcr-recOgniZed the play
mate whom he had loved so we'll, and whom
he had never ceased to think of.
Mr.. DeweS came forward, and what a JOY
full meeting was there ; but seeing a cloud,
as if of bitter memories, come over the
young captains face, Mr.. Dewes said {:
".First, let me relieve your mind OF one
thing. Yourinnocence in Virginia has been
thoroughly established !; for a negro run
away, hung the other day for killing a wo-
man, confessed just before his death that he
had murdered your uncle, and vour arriving
when you did bad prevented him from get
ting the gold, but made him escape from
Nv AOuSSs TX hHC" lDul uiSIC hNlb q
large amount of money, and you being
away, as he thought, he procured your
knife. and with it committed the fatal
deed !"
Frank listened to Mr.. Dewes, almost
breathleSs, and then, when he had con-
Guided, he bowed his face in his hands and
wept like n child.
"But come in" said Mr.. Dewes at
length awe are hungry, and need break
fast, and are dying to know how you be-
anne a captain in the Mexican navy"
; "My story is easily told, my dear friends
for, after escaping from prison through
your kindness, / went to Mexico, entered
the navy, and. having rendered some SER
vice, rose to my present command. which
has been the means Of saving your lives,
Little more can be added.
: Frank resigned his commission and re-
turned home, when he was lioniZed by the
entire community, lie came in possession
OF his estates, which were greatly increased
in value and six months afterwards, in the
very town where he was to have had the
hangman'S halter placed around his neck
for death. he had the moose OF matrimony
thrown around him for life, and the bride
wa Mary | ewes. Thus his life had been
both dark and bright in Il remarkable de-
gree.