The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-09-07
My words were suddenly cut short by

My words were suddenly cut short by
the unexpected appearance of another
smuggler over the edge of the rock. He
had gained footing, however, before
he saw us, and then turned in alarm to
| tho ladder, only to find that his retreat
was cut off in that direction Simulta-
neously, he gave whistle so lond and
clear, that the rocks around echoed and
re-echoed rs at the blast of bugle.
''Yield !" I exclaimed, and, springine
forward, L pressed the point of my cut
lass against his breast. ''Resist us al
your peril" said /. Weare coast guards
men !"
The smuggler, who was light-built
agile youth, who could hardly be called
a man, threw off his burden with the
quickness of thought, and, drawing his
own weapon, delivered a swinging blow
at my head, which I parried. Another
and another succeeded, but soon dis
covered that he WAS no match for my ex-
perience and practice, and, before half q
dozen thrusts and as many cuts were
given and met, had sent his cutlass
whistling over the cliff.
The prisoner thus taken was consigned
to the care of two of my men, and enter
ing the passage, I called upon the
guardsmen to follow. After threading
the intricate mazes of this passage for q
short time, we suddenly emerged into
the smuggiers' cave, and at once scene
was presented which might well have
caused the heart of any other than a
coast ga.ardsman to quake with terror.
The way by which we entered, as I af-
terward discovered, was the sole ingress
and egress of the cave and, warned by
the signal of the one we had captured,
and realizing at once that all way of re
treat was cut off, the smugglers had
drawn themselves up in body, with
their arms in readiness, before the mouth
OF the cave, and here, with the determi-
nation of despair, were awaiting our adj
vance.
"Yield without resistance" I called
out to them, stepping to the front.
''Your lives will be spared"
Gas yours will not DO if you advance
-one step farther. ~ replied gigantic
smuggler, whom instantly recognized
as Harley st. Ange. "Come on, if you
will I'll open the ball !''
With these words he discharged his
pistol directly at my head, the ball mar
rowly grazing my temple, and lodging
in the breast of a brave fellow behind
me. With shout of rage the guards
men sprang forward, and instantly the
cave was filled with the smoke and stun
n1ng report of a score of pistols. To this
succeeded the groans of the wounded,
the angry cries of the combatants, and,
as the struggle became hand hand
one, the rolling clash of cutlasses.
Such a contest, however, could not
long remain doubtful. The advantages
of number, experience and real bravery
lay unquestionably with my force SO
that, after ten minutes fight, and with
the loss of six of our number, we had
utterly routed and beaten the smugglers.
A few escaped through the passage be-
fore they could be secured, but by far
the greater number were captured OF
slain in the cave.
I had missed Harley st. Ange from
the fight almost at its commencement,
and, upon searching for him, I discover
ed him lying near the entrance to the
cave, the life-blood fast flowing from a
pistol-shot in his side. But he was not
alone-Mr. Derwent was kneeling beside
him and stood rooted to the spot
with unfeigned astonishment, as heard
him address the dying smuggler in the
words civilian, my brother !''
The revelation of that hour was
strange one-doubly SO to Mr.. Derwent,
because anticipated. The smugglcr chief
so long known by tho name of Harley
st. Ange, died soon after; but was
gratifed to see that the approach of
death had the effect of softening his stub
born heart, which lifetime of sin had
so effectually hardened. Nor was he un-
able to atone for the injuries which he
had inflicted upon Mr.. Derwent the
long lost son of tie latter was revealed
in the person of the young smuggler
whom we had first captured and, being
made to understand the true story of his
life and parentage, he wept with his fa
ther for-ioy over The happy fate which
had reunited them.
The other surviving smugglers were
sent to the galleys, and their goods and
vessels confiscated /; and, since this sue
cessful expedition, the neighborhood of
Bonsecours has ceased to be troubled by
contrabaudists- Concerning the Der
vents, have only to add that the death
of the elder, some years since, left the
son heir to the immense estates of the
former but haver seen either since my
parting with them, on the morning sue
ceeding the fight with the smugglers, on
the beach near Bonsecoulrs.
Great excitement prevails at Grand
Ledge, Mich, over the discovery Tues
,Jo- 90 Aoxr- of or,,f1a oil f.111o-