The weekly Shasta courier. [volume] (Shasta, Calif.) 1872-190?, 1873-05-17
Isla Bendita.
LEGEND OF THE TIMES OF BUCCANEERS.

The exact position of Bendta in the
Pacific Ocean is Il matter involved in some
mystery. 1t mist have been somewhat
near the Hawaiian group, though no one OF
those islands, as at present known, answers
the traditional description. Its former ex-
istence, and the story of bona Florencia de
Cristoval associated with it, are not doubted
by any one on the Peruvian coast, especial
ly by those who pride themselves upon
their descent from old CastIan families.
The island may have been engul phed at a
later period, by one of those terrible volcan-
ic changes to which that region OF the world
is subject. 1t must have been set far out Of
the usual track of the Manila galleoDs, to
have been discovered by the sea-rovers who
cruised to intercept those rich prizes. But
there is evidence enough to satisfy any rea-
sonable mind that Hawaii, if not Others OF
the group, had been visited by Spaniards at
period long anterior to their rediscOvery
BY Cook. who christened them for his pa
: iron. the Earl of Sandwich.
The most extravagant accounts are gwen
OF the beauty and luxuriance of Isla
Bendita' as the old chronicles and rude
charts have it, 1t was said to have been
known for many years only to the outlaws
who followed the standard OF Alexandra
Laroche.
This Laroche, French adventurer, was
one OF those chiefs of buccaneers who fig
ured so conspicuously in the earlier history
of the Western World. He had at one
time some two hundred desperate men I'M
der his order, and manned three large YES
sells.
Don Rolando de Cristoval was the royal
governor of Peru at the time to which the
tale refers. Lett a widower, with an only
daughter he had lavished the whole wealth
of his heart upon the child. No pains or
expense had been stinted in her education,
and as she grew in stature and beauty, in
climate favorable for early development.
Florencia became not only the pride of her
stately father, as might naturally have been
supposed, but the model of all the aristo-
cratic maidens, and the toast of the younger
cavaliers. Her richly stored mind, add to
her personal graces, carried all hearts by
storm; and she was universally known
among the purely Spanish families as the
Star of the Province"
For once, the course Of true love appear
ed to run smooth, when Donna Florencia
was afianced, with her fathers appreciation,
t. Don Fabian Tornero. son and heir of one
Of SPANS proudest hidalgos, who was every
way worthy of so peerless a bride. The
young man was absent in the mother coun-
try. and the marriage was to be comsum-
mated in great state Immediately on his re-
turn, which was shortly expected.
But the grief and despair Of Don Rolan-
do, as well as the surprise and sympathy of
all his neighbors and friends, may be mag
ined, not related in words, when one morn
ing the young girl was missing, and no
trace of her could be found Search was
made far and near without success she had
last been seen, late the evening before, walk
ing toward the water-sids alone, as was
frequent custom with her. But if drowned.
her body must have been swept away for
all the efforts of her father and his many
sympathizers failed to make any discovery
that would shed single ray of light upon
the mystery. A dark shadow settled upon
the house Of Cristoval, which was to become
extinct in the person of its present repre-
sentative. The more ignorant and credu
lous of the peoI lie, deeply imbued with the
superstition of the times, were led to be
lieve that the young lady, being adjudged
too noble and pure for this work a-day world,
had been transplanted to a higher sphere.
Meanwhile, two stout vessels, under the
orders of Laroche the freebooter, were speed
ing the trades across the Pacific. On board
the largest Of these, Donna Florencia sat in
the neat and handsomely furnished cabin,
prisoner, though her captor might also be
said to be her captive. While on a recon-
noitering expedition in his boat, he had seen
her and been struck by her beauty. To alb
duct her and carry her on board his ship
was an easy matter, under those circum-
stances. He Knew very well who the lady
was, when he discovered her in the moon
light. For Laroche, in his predatory cruises
up and down the coast. had acquired an ex-
tensive knowledge of the various settlements
in the Spanish colonies, as well as Of all the
officials and persons of note.
His first thought was that she might be
induced to bestow her love upon him. not
withs,anding his mortal enmity to all her
nation. For Laroche was still young man
and OF fine personal appearance. His pro-
fession, at that period, was no insuperable
bar to obtaining the affection of even high
born lady. And if he failed in this particu-
lar, she was still prize Of great value. in
view of the ransom she would bring. With
AZ . Ct.. ,f .ho prov;ncov az hia r,orcv