Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-04-24
The Miady's Game.

1t was about the year 1870 that !
had command of the old brig Henry
Martin" She was one Of regular
line of packets running from New
Orleans to Havana; AID as general
thing l used to be crowded with pas
sengers.
But navigation in those days was
not so pleasant as now, and the Gull
of Mexico and the waters around
Cuba fairly swarmed with piratical
crafts whose blood-thirsty deeds ter
rifed the whole merchant marine
and the United States were forced to
keep large squadron actively crui-
sing, that finally had the desired
effect, and in time cleared the waters
of the freebooters.
left Havana with hold full Of
merchandise, and in the cabin I had
one passenger, fine looking young
man belonging to Porter's feet, then
stationed in Cuban waters. He was
midshipman, and had been wound
ed in cutting out EXPEDITION against
| the pirates, and was now bound to
| New Qrleans-where he resided-in
order TO have an opportunity to fully
recover his health.
In tie forward saloon were nine
Spaniards, black whiskered, swarthy
looking fellows, and one Spanish
maiden about twenty years old, COM
pleted my passenger list.
The young 'adv occdpi aa
stateroom in the after u !
must confess that her I've; .air,
black and luxuliant, he &
and raelting as gazel.
quettish airs and smiles VT
70 turn the hearts Of the
company. She did nc
ll=v* anything tn do wi; y3a
trvmen .in the forward cabin, and
was disposed to treat them with silent
contempt.
pitied the young lady, for neither
the MILDLY nor myself could speak a
word OF Spanish; but it did not ap-
pear to make much difference to the
young rascal, Tor he made love to the
senorlta every opportunity that offer
ed, and she evidently enjoy.d it, for
her soft mus cal voice could be heard
singing through the cabin whenever
he was by her side. She Was evil
riently possessed of wealth, at least l
Judged so from the fact OF her having
such a proiu>ion. of diamonds and
precious stones, and l came to the
conclusion that the MILDLY, despair
ing of promotion, was laying an an
chor to windward, and | did not
blame him for capturing the prize if
he could.
But what puzzled me vas how
they. got along so well, when he could
not speak a.word Of Spanish nor she
word Of English but as the days
rolled by, the impetuous MILDLY push
ed the siege, and I had no doubt of
AS ultimate triumph.
I was stretching over for the Tor
tugas bank when one of the crew at
work on the foretopsail yard, report
ed a sail in sight broad of the beam.
Now sail in those days meant
danger, and nine times out Of ten
would turn out to be a pirate; so l
slung my long glass over my shoulder,
and jumped into the fore rigging.
was up aloft sometime looking at
the sail, that was glistening in the
distance not much larger than gulls
wing.
The wind was light and variable,
the sun dazzled my eyes, and little
swell rather interfered with my OIL
servations, and all combined kept me
up aloft much longer than ! imagined
it would, and | finally returned to
deck not much wiser for my trouble
Descending the after companion
way, entered the cabin with the
intention of turning into my state
room and enjoying nap, while wait
ing for a breeze to spring up, but !
had scarcely composed myself when 1
heard light, quick footstep crossing
the cabin, and The MILDLY entered my
room without knocking, somewhat to
my astonishment; and l was on the
point Of expressing my displeasure
when I happened to catch his eye,
and saw in au instant that some
thing unusual had happened.
His voice dropped to whisper as
he reached the side Of my berth, and
shall never forget the thrill that
shct through my heart as he said!,-
Captain, we've got pirates aboard" +"
Pirates aboard this ship Who
are they
The nine spaniards intbe forward
cabin ana taelr ally, the Serorlta.
looked at the naval officer in as
tonishment, thinking for moment
that he must be out Of his head but
| the steady gaze of his clear gray
eyes reflected back no fires Of insani-
ty. and I was forced to confess that
my suspicious were unfounded.
How did you gain your informa-
tim, and discover that they are sail
ing under false colors 2"
30, I've had my eyes and ears
open for some .time-the whole pas
sage in iact-and l have listened to
their fondly-expressed hopes and
deeply laid plans
"Why, confound it, what do you
mean? Did you not tell me your
self that you coufdsnot speak a worl
of Spanish, and have l not.heard you
jablering away to the girl trying in
yo;n to make Voiraelf understood ?"