The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-04-15
A TIMELY SHOT.
BY ROGER srARBUCK.

In the year 1910, the English sloop-0f-
war Canton, after cruising successfully
against the vessels of the French, lay
anchored Of Calcutta.
Soon after the anchor was down, a fine
young sailor, named Henry Melton, a
man of refinement and education, who,
however, had shipped as foremast hand,
made application to the captain for per
mission to 60 shore to visit his old
mother, who, anticipating the vessels
arrival at her present port, had sailed in
a trading-vessel all the way from Eng
land to Calcutta for the sake of seeing
her son.
Too i'll to go aboard the sloop, she had
sent word to Henry of her arrival, beg
ging him to come to her.
Old Captain Knowles, of. the yessel,
was strict disciplinarian. Although
his beautiful daughter Sylveen, girl of
eighteen, who had joined her father at a
Spanish port, where she had been stay
ing with her brother, besought her stern
parent to grant the sailors request, yet
it was decidedly refused.
The consequence was that Henry
Melton, who had finally learned that
his mother was not expected to live, de-
serted on certain dark night, in boat
in which he went ashore from the war
vessel, as one of the crew. for provisions.
The young man was Just in time to re-
ceive his mothers last blessing, and to
close her eyes in death. He had with
him a sum of money a part of this ne
took to an English merchant of whom
his mother had hired her lodgings, and
from whom he obtained promise that
the remains of his parent should be
decently buried.
With the cash he had left, he purchased
a small pistol, which he loaded with
powder and ball, and concealed in q
secret pocket of his jacket.
The instrument was one of the best OF
its kind. Herbert, in his prosperous
days, had taken lessons of celebrated
professor of pistol practice, who had not
only taught him how to at,cays hit hi,
mark, but also how to choose a good
weapon.
He knew that he would be arrested
and be condemned either to floggine
with the fearful cato 'nine-tails or to
death, for his desertion.
Should the sentence against him prove
to be punishment with the lash, he now
had with him the means of avoiding it.
Sooner than suffer the disgrace of 9
fogging, he would shoot himself through
the head with his pistol.
He resolved to endeavor to avoid
capture until his mother was buried
that he might at least have the satisfac
tion of seeing that cold form deposited
in its final resting-place.
He therefore struck far out into the
country, and finally concealed himself
in cavern.
Toward night of the next day, who
should pass his retreat but the captain
and his daughter, who had been out al
day, accompanied by guides, for stroll
Unfortunately for Henry, there wa!
with the party small dog, which soor
discovering the young man, set upa loud
barking. at
The captain, with his Hindoo guides
attracted to the cave by the noise, saw
the sailor.
"Hap exclaimed the old ommander
$50 here we are Arrest him, guides
He is one ofmy men-a deserter7
Melton was soon prisoner.
How far are we from the city p in
quired Captain Knowles of one of tn
guides.
"Six miles," was the response.
"Then we will pitch our tents in tha
plain yonder, and encamp for the night
Keep q good watch ON the prisoner
ooh, papa" pleaded Sylveen, wit
tears in her beautiful blue eyes, "let hir
Co."
Humphl" |" growled the captain. al
pretty. navy we'd have of it IL we too
the advice of the women. No, ma'am
that man must not go. He has deserte
in time of war. He will be shot"
The tents were soon pitched by som
of the guides, who carried canvas an
blankets.
Though much fatigued, yet Sylyee
could not sleep for thinking of tn
prisoner.
His calm, handsome face, shown
neither fear nor bravado, when he
father had mentioned his destined fate
haunted her mind.
Through crcvice in the tent, sh
could now see him standing com pose,
and chcerful-lookiDg, out there in th
clear, moonlight, amongst his dusk,
guards:
AT last the young girl dropped L
sleep. Al dawn she was awakened by
strange feeling Of OPP ression in her chest
A thrill of horror went through he
frame. Motionless-speechless with fea
she lay, mt sight of n hideoas LooLip
serpent coited upon her breastf
The monster was about four feet LONG
its folds wound up in three rings, in IN
center ofwhich was its head. sliphtl
elevated, its two glitering eyes tnrne,
full upon her face, its iorIed tongu