Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-11-27
Thc Sturv Tcller.
A STRANGE TRADING TRIP
A NAUTICAL ADVENTURE.
From the New York Mercury

Havana, anu you hlo" Hd'o Soou AS'''oIe
for not granting your request"
II do not care about your reasons, Captain
Thurston," replied the other in an insolent
tone. "But if you think am going to make
trip to the coast of Africa before taking a
run on the beach, you've reckoned without your
master, that's all"
"You knew what the agreement was be.
fore you signed articles in New York, and
you acceded to it without demurring. Now
shall hold you to it."
30, you will eh? How will you get along
on the coast without me. You know am
your mainstay. You have never been there
before and I am valuable man. In order
to keep me I demand once more, a months
wages and twenty-four hours liberty. Re
fuse at your peril. could, were so disposed
give you considerable trouble"
"Mr. Gomez, am captain of this schooner u
replied the other calmly, sand captain |
intend to be. You have been drinking, other,
wise would not have put up with your inso'
lence as long as I have Give up the notion
going ashore, for we will sail tomorrow at
daylight"
"Sail at daylight eh ," replied the man
gradully working himself into fury. "Sail
you may, but you'll not take me. How
would you like to have lieutenant from the
English man-ofwar board you? That would
lower your pride, you Yankee dog" ..
""You Spanish rascal" shouted the now in
furated captain, edo you dare to hint treach-
cry to me. Take that, and that, and learn
that l am your superior"
Suiting the action to the word, the athletic
-..,.u ,I,;,oon 5oo1t hi. cnhordina tyO
heavy blows in rapid succession, causing the
floor. But he was far from being subdued.
Leaping to his feet, his swarthy features
stained with blood and distorted with rage,
the Spaniard quick as lightning whipped out
a long, murderous dirk, and rushed toward his
victim.
But the young sailor was not to be caught
so easily. Gliding rapidly around the cabin
table, he drew small but wicked looking
revolver, which he leveed at the now coming
Spaniard
'None of that, Mr.. Gomez, for it's game
two can play at, and hold the winning card
this time. Drop your kuife, you billious.col-
ored rascal, or I'll make it too warm for you.
Now 60 on deck and remain until the sea-
breeze cools your excited brain"
Muttering slowly to himself, the baffled
rascal slowly retired, after throwing glance
full of malignant hate at Captain Thruston,
who had quietly resumed his his task of por-
ting over some papers spread out before him.
A loud splash, followed by cry of alarm,
suddenly aroused him from his labors, and,
rushing on deck, he was met by the second
mate, young man hailing from Cape Cod
"What is the matter, Mr.. Crowel ?"
'The Spanish mate has jumped overheard,
sir" was the reply of the second mate between
whom and the Spaniard there had been a
feud from the start.
"Hark, sir; he is hailing the schooner"
"The sharks will have him, the drunken
fool" muttered the captain, as he jumped in
to the main rigging to listen.
The shades ofevening had gathered over
the harbor, rendering objects indistinct, and
making it impossible to make out anything so
small as mans head.
"Do you hear, you Yankee FOOLS and a
voice, hoarse with rage, came floating to the
capita IS ears way up to windward. 81 am 60
ing ashore, and I'll have revenge. In less
than half an hour III be back with boat
load of English man-of.war's men. A Span
lard never 1orgets an INJURY.
Every word was heard distinctly on board
the little schooner, and the threat caused deep
shape of anxiety to cloud the handsome face
of the young aptain as he hastily descended
the gangway leading to the cabin. Sending
for Mr.. Crowell, they were soon closeted to-
gether.
"Mr Crowell, that fellow means mischief,
and am afraid we will have trouble unless
we slip out of the harbor under cover of the
darkness"
"But the Shadow is an honest trader, sir,
and what do you care if John Bull does come
aboard. He will find nothing. to criminate
u.s."
every true; but circumstantial evidence
would be strongly against US. In the first
place, Crowell, the Shadow looks suspicious.
Her sharp lines, clear runs, and rakish air
would lead Johnny Haul Taut (man-of-wars-
man) to suppose weare aslaver. Then, again.
have taken in here at Havana forty water
casks and one hundred and fifty steel brace
lets to trade with on the coast. Now, john
nv Bull would say at once that we intend to
run a cargo of darkeys, and those articles in
the hold would tend to strengthen the belief.
Now, as you know, every dollar that | am
worth in the world is invested in this schoon-
er and the cargo. If | am detained, | run
the risk of losing my all, besides my n,others
sole support. Such news as that would kill
her therefore, propose to sail at once, and
get to windward of Mr. Gomez and his re-
venge."
"But the crew, Captain Thurston. Can
you depend upon them p
"They will do as tell them, or suffer the
consequences. Call all hands, and we will
start. Everything is in our favor. The
night is dark the wind and tide fair. Offer
the men a months extra wages per man. That
will stop their growing"
Fastening on deck, the men were soon in
formed of the state of affairs. The liberal Of
fer was accepted without a dissenting voice,
and in thirty minutes the Shadow was
gliding out of the harbor close under the
walls of the Moro Castle, which threw
sinister shadow over the water.
The clank Of the oars came family to the
ears of Captain Thurston, who smiled grlmly
as he imag ined the disappointment of the man
ofwar's smen at finding their anticipated prize
gone. -.
Suddenly colored rocket rose sparkling
and bright on the dark horizon. 1t was sig
nal from the sloop-of-war. A heavy gun
from the parapet of the castle broke the deep
stiffness of the summers night, and the solid
shot whistled high above the trucks of the
Shadow. 1t was significant hint for the
little vessel to heave to- as no vessel was al
lowed to leave her anchorage after dark
But the darkness grew more intense, the
fresh sea breeze filled the sails of the fleet
clipper schooner, and despite all the dangers