The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-10-22

men ?"
saw these words produced wonder
ful effect upon my crew, and so did they
upon the other passengers, and | must
confess they went to my heart with a
nerve-ike power Only Captain Savage
seemed to dislike them. Upon his ear
they seemed to CRATE harshly.
AT this moment Mrs Legrand came
upon deck. She had heard her sons
voice and thought perhaps he was in dan
| ger.
"Sansa Maria that is my prize" ex-
claimed the one who seemed to be second
in command among the pirates, as soon
as he saw the beautiful woman.
"No, no, by San Paulo she's mine"
cried the chieftain, and as he spoke he
started towards the spot where the widow
ed mother stood. His lieutenant followed
him and so did several of the others.
Stand back y said Walter
"Out, boy-or die"
Thus spoke the pirate leader, but he
spoke no more, for the young mans
sword swept the air like lightning and
the villains head was cleft in twain. An
other stroke and the lieutenant shared
the same fate.
snow, men Of England, show the blood
of your proud nation p
Every man heard these words, for they
were like bugle-notes-clear, ringing and
distinct. | remember how Legrand look
ed at that moment. He had just forced
his mother below when he spoke, and then
he turned upon the crew. His head was
up, his teeth set, his finely chiseled nos
trils distended, and his eyes literally emit
ing sparks of fire, he dashed like a shot
among the foe, and we all followed him.
Ever and anon | could distinguish his
form amid the smoke-for there was
many pistols fred-and | could see the
flash of his bright sword where it was not
covered with blood l fought with all my
might, and so did all my men. Savage
fought, too, but he did not seek places of
danger, rather seeming to keep his back
against the bulwarks.
Ever and anon the flash of Walters
sword would catch my eye and | failed
not to see man fall when it descended
My own men looked on him as their lead
ing spirit, and l did not feel offended. l
rather felt proud of him. How could l
help it ? The very genius of Mars seem
ed to sit within him. At length the deck
began to grow thin of standing men and
streams of blood were flowing towards the
scuppers. reached Legrand's side, and
| saw stout men flee before him. l saw
his arm move and another pirate fall
Then a cry broke upon our ears. 1t
was cry for quarter. for mercy. The
fighting ceased, and the living pirates
were huddled together on the starboard
gang and disarmed They numbered
eleven men, My next work was to count
my own, and | found eighteen of them,
and nine of the infantry officers. In the
center of the quarter deck stood Walter
Legrand. He was leaning upon his
sword, and a stream of blood trickled
down its faithful blade and made dark
pool upon the deck about the point He
was still calm and serene, but the old look
of sedate melancholy had once more taken
possession of his countenance
captain Favor" he said addressing
me, ''can you take care of the prisoners p
lquickly answered him ''yes."
Then" he said, II will go and comfort
my mother She may be anxious.
The prisoners were put in irons, and
placed in safe confinement, and then we
sat to work and cleared up the deck. All
hands turned workmen, and ere long the
dead were sewed up in old sails and buri-
ed in the deep, blue sea-friend and foe
together. There were few wounded men.
Such as there were, however were pro-
perly cared for.
That evening when we sat down to sup
per, no one could have told, from the ap-
pearance of Walter Legrand, that any
thing unusual had happened. He met
us with that same calm smile of recogni-
ton, and his face wore that same look OF
unobtrusive, modest reserve. The meal
was eaten mostly in silence / could see
that the other officers gazed upon the
youth with looks of admiring wonder, and
even Captain Savage was humbled and
awed
Legrand saw the looks that were cast
upon him, and he knew well what they
meant. After he had finished his sup
per, he wiped his lips, and we knew by
his movements that he was going to
speak. A pin might have been heard to
drop at that moment.
''Gentlemen," he said, while a slight
tremulousness was manifest in his neither
lip, ''you all know what has passed since
L came on board this ship, and | shall not
recount the painful tale | have heard
the word coward and | have not resent
ed it, and had not this days event come
to pass, | should not have made the ex.
planation which | am now about to make
for it might have been received as the
hollow excuse of one who dare not fight.
You have some of you heard of my faith
er. He was brave man, and a good off.
Ger, but in an evil hour he had difficulty
with brother officer, and he accepted the
challenge to fight duel He met his
companion upon the field and fell. He
had marched up to the cannon snouth fol
his beloved country, and his life was spar
ed that his bosom friend might take it
My mother heard the sad story. She
knew my hot blood-she knew that was
my fathers child, and she feared for me
She drew my head upon her griefladen
bosom, and asked me to promise her that
L wOuldneyerg give norreceive challenged to
mortal combat, and that | would never
| lend my countenance or assistance to the
same in the capacity Of a friend | made
the promise and sealed it with VOW, and
mothers prayer went up that [ might
be true to it. Gentlemen, you know all
now"
There was tear in his eye, but he
turned quickly away and went on deck.
For some minutes after he had gone
there was death-like stiffness.
Gentlemen" uttered Savage, 'follow
me On deck"
He started for the ladder and we all
followed him.
Legrand stood by the lee-quarter rail
ing, and Savage moved quickly to him.
"Mr Legrand," said the humbled off
Ger, in trembling, but frank tone, Il
cave wronged you most deeply, and here
before all these living witnesses of my
hrror, humbly ask your pardon. For
give me, sir, and will never be guilty of
such wrong again"
Captain Savage, most joyfully do l ac-