The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-04-15

clerk. The obScurlty OF the room IA
vored the movement, and by rapid
step passed through, leaving the cx-
cited throng yelling and cursing be-
hind me.
Through narrow passage the
young man hurried us. urging me to re-
newed efforts by various vague. dark
hints. which but half comprchcndcd.
| could not understand what / had to
fear from pirates. now that | was almost
under the guns of the Spanish soldiers.
"'Captain, you have been kind to
me since you have been here. and |
have tried this night to prove that am
grateful. Yonder lies your boat lose
no time in quitting the city, or the har-
Dor, either, for that matter. The man
you struck tonight is desperate char
acter, who will have revenge. l am in
possession of information that your YES
sci will he attacked tonight, if you re-
main. Do not ask mo hoc | know. but
be warned in time. Adios and with
wave of his hand the clerk Disappeared
:" had heard, but never credited,
that certain Spanish merchants received
u percentage of profit from piratcal yes
sells, in the fitting ont of which it was
more than suspected they were inter
ested. But made up my mind to teach
the unprincipled rascals lesson which
they would not forget for o while.
1.-The harbor of Campeachy, young
ster, has but little depth of water, and
ut that time was not capable of admit
ting vessels drawing more than six feet
those of heavier draught we're nee
cssarily compelled to anchor three miles
from the city. This was my case, but
as the land breeze had set in, and was
freshing, | felt no particular apprchen-
sion for the Mabel.
" Us soon as | reached the deck, |
bundled your grandma below out of the
way then. calling all hands, ex-
planned to them the nature of the visit
expected. They were all anxious to Il
man to have u blow Mt tho scoundrels.
Loosing all sails, the anchor was
lifted and the position Of the vessel al
tered by running her u mile further to
seward. The anchor was then let go
under foot, sails lowered down, but hal
lizards stretched along deck ready to be
manned Mt moments notice.
Tho long nine FOUNDER was crammed
to the muzzle with nails, bullets and
scrap-iron, while cutlasses, mnskets and
pistols-all that could be mustered
were put in readiness for use and dis
tributed to the crew.
"All hands were on deck, the mate
taking charge Of the forecastle with his
watch, while remained aft with the re-
manner. All lights had been extin-
guished, the vessel was wrapped appar-
emily in slumber and silence, an easy
| for tho c..1o,,
had designs upon us.
:" 1t was % clear, starlight night,
scarcely II cloud was visible, the white
walls of the town CLEANED white and in
distinct in the starlight, while the hori-
ION seaward was clearly defined. No
sound was heard, except the rcvcrbcra-
tons of the surf breaking along the
beach, or the skipping Of porpoise
which occasionally came to the surface,
while above my head listened to the
welcome music of the stiff land breeze
signing through tho rigging.
1.-The hours rolled slowly on. Mid
night came, and sweeping the horizon
with my oycglass, ! detected two long,
heavy boats pulling rapidly but quietly
from the shore directly for the vessel.
felt Il stern JOY as | trained the long
line carefully and deliberately upon the
calculating rascals who imagined they
were on the point of winning an easy
victory.
81 watched every movement through
my glass, noted the CLEAN of their arms
as they glittcrcd in the full light of the
moon, and could almost count their
dark, swarthy faces.
"The boats were pulling side by side,
heading for the port bow of the Mabel.
and stepping to the rear Of the gun, !
glanced along the sights. They were
i'll good range, the opportunity was
good, and, applying the match, the old
gun poured forth her torrent of mis-
silcs, which swept through the crowded
ranks OF the pirates with deadly effect,
Judging from the shricks and Sroans
that were borne to our ears.
The unexpected reception which they
had met with cttcctually dampcd the
ardor of the assailan:s. leaving me time
60 carry ont with success the remainder
of my plans.
cat signal from me, my mon
jumped to their allotted stations and du-
ties. The anchor was Slipped and sail
made, and in an uncomfortable short
| SlIttt vi tllilc tnc NIdDtl Nt0 uIiti way
careering to the breeze. cutting her way
through the waves with the speed of Il
dolphin.
"Thcn it was the pirates picked up
sufficient courage to discharge their
small arms ut us, but was not through
with them by long shot.
Aiming the men with cntlasses and
boarding pixies, stationed them for
ward and along the rail then putting
the wheel down, ! tackled, standing di