The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-02-17

NOW keep dark, and let things 60 on
as they may. I'm sorry for the poor fel-
low, for if my suspicious are correct he'll
have hard time of 1t but we can't help
it now--it's none of our business. --sh
Here comes the mate. NUNS the word"
Orlando Chester sank back upon his
pillow, and an audible groan escaped from
his lips. He had feared death, but now
such u fate would have seemed compare
lively light. He had no doubt, from what
he had heard, that he was to be sold into
slavery All thoughts of sleep were ban
ished from his mind, and long did he pom
der upon what he had heard but at
length the feeling came over him that such
diabolical plan could not be carried out
against him. Up through all his doubts
and fears there then struggled hope that
a way of escape might yet be opened be-
fore him, and he gradually wrought his
mind into state of comparative calm.-
He resolved that he would not, by word
or look, betray his knowledge of the fiend-
ish purpose held against him, but that he
would, by every means in his power, en-
deavor to cultivate the friendship and good
will of the crew, and then, when the crisis
should come, he would arm himself and
stake his life for the result. God and right
were on his side, and with heart now
bent to firm purpose, the youth ere long
passed into the land of dreams.
When Orlando awoke in the morning,
the sun had been some time up and the
crew were all on deck. Near the wheel
stood the Captain, with his spy-glass in his
hand, and huddled around him were the
two mates, and some half dozen of the
men. The brig was steering S. s. E., with
the wind quite fresh from the westward, so
that she took it full upon the quarter, and
with her starboard studding-sa set she
was dashing along through the water at q
rapid rate.
sis anything the matter?" asked our
hero of one of the men who was passing
along the gangway.
"There's sail in sight, that's all, - re-
turned the man thus addressed.
finger over the weather beam, and after
gazing in that direction few moments the
youth made out small white specl1 just
visible to the naked eye above the horizon.
There seemed nothing strange about the
circumstance, however, and without be-
slowing further thought upon it, he went
to the galley after his breakfast. The
forenoon passed away without any occur
renee worthy of note; but shortly after
dinner Orlando's attention was arrested by
the strange manner of the Captain, who
was evidently laboring under some power
full excitement, and walking aft he follow.
ed the commanders glass, and found that
the sail he had seen in the morning was
only about quarter of mile distant, com.
ing down with all her canvass set. She
was brigantine, and for the first time the
young man noticed that she carried guns
Chester" said the Captain, as he no
ticed the form of his prisoner, "step thil
way. Do you sec that brigantine?"
yes SIR"
"Well, what do you take her to be ?''
perhaps pirate" said OalandO, as fol
the first time the thought passed through
his mind.
"And you are right. Now what do yor
intend to DOE"
"If any one seeks to harm me shall en-
deavor to defend myself" returned Orlan.
do.
"May be shot if you don't take it cool
ly," uttered the Captain, not little sur
prised at the perfect GOODNESS of the young
man.
"And why should l nots No benefit
can result from any undue excitement
and besides, know not that have much
to choose between my present situation
and the one that may be threatened by I
capture of our vessel"
"But you will fight in behalf of the brig
will you not ?" asked the Captain.
81 have no arms, SIR"
"We have plenty on board, so you nee,
not fear ON that account"
4 "Then you may arm me, sir, and If IN,
{ own Judgment tells me that my portion o
| strength is necessary for the defence OF
, your crew, will use it. have no desir'
to see these ocean robbers tramplo upon th'
rights of others, for human right, is sa
8 cred, and he who would abuse it deserves
a just retiibution."
The young hunter spoke in a low, mean
{ ing tone, and the eyes Of the Captain fel
y to the deck, as be met the keen glance o