The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1876-09-08
Selected Story.
A Timely Shot.

In the year 1910, the English sloop-oi
war Canton, after cruising successfully
against the vessels of the French, lay an
clored of, Calcutta.
Soon after the anchor was down, a fine
young sailor, named Henry Melton, man
ofrefnement and education, who, however
had shipped as a foremost hand, made ap
pIication to the captain for permission to
90 ashore to visit his old mother who, an
ticipating the vessels arrival at her pres
cnt port had sailed in trading-yessel all
the way from England to Calcutta for the
sake Of seeing her son.
Too i'll to 90 aboard the sloop, she had
sent word to Henry other arrival, begging
him to come to her.
Old Captain Knowles, Of the vessel was
Il strict disciplinarian. Although his beau
tiful daughter Sylyeen, girl Of eighteen,
Who had Joined her father at a Spanish
port, where she had been staying with her
brother, besought her stern parent to grant
the saiior'o request, yet it was decidedly
refused
The consequence was that Henry Mel
ton, who had finally learned that his moth
Ell was not expected to live, deserted on a
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-
ceiye his mothers last blessing, and TO
close her eyes in death. He had viii him
a sum Of money a part Of this he 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 deccntly buried.
With the cash he had left he purchased
& small pistol, which he loaded with powd-
er and ball, and concealed in a secret
pocket of his jacket.
The instrument was one ofthe best Of its
kind. Henry, in his prosperous days, had
taken lessons of a celebrated professor of
pistol practice, who not only taught him
how to ARRAYS hit his marx, but also how
to choose a good weapon.
lie knew that he would be arrested and
be condemned either to a fogging with
the fearful "cat-o' -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 ofa fog
ging, he would shoot himself through the
head with his pistol
He resolved to endeayor to avoid cap
ture until his mother was buried, that lie
might at least have the satisfaction Of see
ing that cold form deposited in its final
resting place.
He therefore struck far out into the
country, and finally concealed himself in
4 cavern.
Toward night ofthe next day, who should
pass his retreat but the captain and his
daughter, who had been out all day ac,
companied by guides, for stroll.
Unfortunately for Henry, there was with
the party small dog, which soon discover
ing the young man, set up a loud bark
ing.
The captain, with his Hindoo guides,
attracted to the cave ny the noise, saw the
sailor.
'Ha z exclaimed the old commander.
$50 here we are! Arrest him, guides! He
is one Of my men-a deserterI"
Melton soon was a prisoner.
Glow far are we from the city p inquir.
cd Captain Knowles Of one Of the guides
six miles" was the response.
"Then we will pitch our tents in that
plain yonder, and encamp for the night
Keep q good watch on the prisoner,
guides"
"oh, papa" pleaded sylveen, with tears
IN her beautiful blue eyes, let him 60"
"Humphlh growled the captain. "a
pretty navy we'd have Of it if We took the
advice Of the women. No, na'am, that
man must not go. He has deserted IN time
o' war. He will be shot"