The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-06-17
THE PILOTS REVENGE

purpose of watching smugglers, was
lazily creeping along the heavy, monot-
onous swells, just off the coast of Gal
way, and on her deck was being enacted
n scene of more than common interest.
The day before she had captured a small
boat laden with contraband articles, to-
gether with an old man and boy who
had charge of them, and the Captain of
the brig, whose name was Dracut, Or
dered that the smuggler should be put
in irons. To this indignity the old man
made 4 stout resistance, and In the heat
of the moment had SO far forgotten HIM
self as to strike the captain blow which
laid him on the deck. Such an insult
to an officer was past endurance, and IN
punishment for this offence the smuggler
had been condemned to die.
A single whip was rove at the star
board fore arm, and all hands were cali
ed on deck to witness the execution.
The rope was noosed and slipped over
the culprit's head, and the running end
was rove through small snatch-b block
npon the deck. Until this moment not
word escaped the lips of the boy. He
trelnbied as he behold the awful prepar-
atoms, and rs the fatal moose was passed
and drawn tight, the color forsook his
cheeks and he sprang forward and fell
upon his knees before the captain.
MERCY, sir; mercy"
''For whom?" asked the officer, while
contemptuous smile rested up
ON his lips.
'.For that old man whom you are 60
ing to kill
''He dies, boy"
''But he is my father, sir.
''No matter if he were my own father;
that man who strikes an officer while in
the performance of his duty, must die. !"
''But lie was manacled, he was insult
ed, sir" pleaded the boy.
''Insulted!" repeated the captain.
'fWho insulted him2"
You did, sir, replied the boy, while
his face burned with indignation.
s'Get up sir, and be careful that you
do not receive the same treatment, said
the captain in a savage tone.
The old man heard the appeal of his
son, and at the last words of his captor,
he raised his head and while a look of
the utmost defiance passed over his fea-
lures, he exclaimed:
''Ask no fayors, Robert. Old Kin
took can die as well now as ut any time.
Let them do their worst.
Then turning to Captain Dracut, he
changed his tone for one of deep sup
plics,tion, and said:
''Do what you please with me, sir, but
do not harm my son, for he has done no
wrong. 1 am ready for your sentence,
and the sooner you finish it the better. :"
''Lay hold of the whip p shouted the
captain. LAY hold every man of you,
and stand by to run the villain up"
In obedience to this order the men
ranged themselves along the deck, and
each one laid hold of the rope. Robert
Kintook first looked at his father, and
then ran his eyes along the line of men
who were to be his executioners. But
not one sympathetic or plying look
could ne trace. Their faces were all
hard and cold, and they all appeared
anxious to consumate their murderous
work without delay.
"What - exclaimed the boy, while a
tear started from his eye, and his lips
trembIed, ''is there no one even who can
pity him -
Sup with him p shouted the captain
Robert buried his face in his hands,
and the next moment his father was
swinging from the yard-arm. He heard
the passing rope and the creaking block,
and he knew that he was fatherless.
Half an hour afterwards the boy knelt
by the side of CHASTITY corpse, and a
simple prayer escaped his lips. Then
another low, murmuring sound came up
from his bosom, but none of those who
stood around knew its import. It was
Il pledge of revenge.
Just as the old mans body slid from
the gang board into the sea, a vivid flash
of lightning streamed through the heav-
ems, and in another instant the dread
artillery of nature sent forth a roar so
loud and long that the men actually put
their hands to their ears to shut out its
deafening power. Robert kintook start
ed at the sound, and what had caused
dread in other bosoms sent thrill of
satisfaction to his own.
''Oh, revenge! revenge!' - he muttered
to himself, as he cast his eyes over the
foam crested waves which had already
risen beneath the power of Il storm
The darkness had come as quickly as
did the storm, and all that could be dis
tinguished from the deck, save the
breaking of the sea, was the fearful.
craggy shore, as fash after flash of
lightning Illuminated the heavens.
Light no - shouted man forward,
and the next moment all eyes We're di-
rected to a bright light which had sud-
denly flashed upon the surf-bound line
of rocks and reefs, and every face save
one was blanched with fear In vain
did they try to lay the brig TO the wind,
for no sail would hold for an instant I'M
til at last the men managed to get fore
arm staysail, and the brig for short
time stood bravely up against the heavy
sea. But it was evident that should she
succeed in keeping to the wind she
would eventually be driven ashore for
the power of inserting waves was greater
than that of the wind.
''Boy, do you know what light that
Isl" asked the captain, as he stood hold
ing on to the rigging to keep his feet.
''Yes, sir, replied Robert, it is Bally-
more's crag."
'.What is it there for ?"
cit marks the entrance to q little har-
Dor, sir which lies in the back of it.
''And can it be entered by a vessel of
this size" asked the captain, as a CLEAN
of hope shot across his face.
"Oh, yes, sir, large ship can enter. .
s'And do you know the passagel' p
''Yes, sir; / have spent my whole life
on this coast, and / know every turn in
il.
''Can you take this brig in there in
this storm p
"Yes sir" answered the boy.
''And will you do ii ?" eagerly asked
the captain.
ION two conditions"
'.Name them quickly"
1.-The first is that YOU let me go in
peace and the next is that You should
trouble none of the slnugglers, should
they happen to be there
II promise, +" said the captain. sAnd
now set about your work. But mark
me, if you deceive me, by ST. George,
I'll shoot you on the moment"