The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-11-08

[ was right. There they were, the two
beautiful lights beautiful indeed
to me. But the hour of greatest peril
was at hand and like adramatic author
who fears for his last act,. l studied
again and again the various contin-
gencies that might Cross my plans, and
reveal my intentions to the murderous
Spaniards.
We passed between the lights, at a
considerable distance from both, and
many were the inquiries of the pirates
as to our position. I told them that
we had a few miles further to run,
when we should have reached the an
chorage at the watering place. Dark
ness prevented them from seeing the
land. and they had not the most dis
tant idea of their surroundings. The
lights they imagined to be upon two
islands at least, they took my word
for it, and had no suspicion of our real
whereabouts.
On and on flew the Isabel; and if
ever, at one time more than another. I
have tried to exert my nautical judy
ment and forethought, it was then.
We saw other lights; but the pirates
supposed them to be upon the ocean
coast, along which they believed them.
selves sailing. At length, requested
them to take in the light sails and the
courses. This completed, called out
and it was with a dreadful thrill at
my heart, assure you,-ssLet go the
top-sail halyards, and clew up!'
1t was done; and [ could see that a
darkbank was raising under the leebow
''Stand by to let go anchor,'' |
shouted, "Whlle bring her up in the
wind -
clapped the helm hard down, while
the four pirates ran to obey my, last di-
rection. Oh. heaven! how my blood
seemed to suffocate me They were all
away forward. It must be now, if
ever. A hundred times that day had
glanced at the yawl, and the tackles
that held it: and now, quickly, but
with a steady hand, l sprang to the
davits-falls. First the larboard, then
the Starboard, l seized but was care.
full to lower away with both simultan-
eously, that the boat might not be
swamped Then, c'apping my hands
against the brig, pushed with a force
that sent the yawl shooting from under
the counter. At this moment, heard
the anchor go overheard. I had Just
time to grasp an oar, and commence
sculling with all my might when the
pirates ran att. Bacalardo's tones
rang fierce and loud. His horrid Span
ish oaths might at another time have
curdled my blood but now had him
upon the hip,
"Ahoy the fort!' shouted; ssahoy
there the fort - For we'll I knew the
dark bank so close at hand.
The voice that answered was the
most blessed sound [ ever heard. It
was from one of the United States
sentinels, and [ was gliding under the
walls at old Point Comfort! Escape
for the pirates was impossible, for the
strong easterly wind must preclude
all hope of getting to sea, while the
fort could have disabled the brig in an
instant. A boat with armed soldiers
now boarded her. Three of the ri.
rates were taken into custody, but
! Bacalardo was found dead in the cabin.
Dismay, disappointment and the Ger.
tainty of his doom, had impelled him
| to draw his Spanish knife across his
| throat. The others when brought to
| trial had the effrontery to profess
themselves innocent. Bacalardo had
duped them-Bacalardo had done all
they had injured no one; but the
! United States Court thought different.
| ly, and they were hung at Norfolk.