The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-08-13
Jack Thompson's Revenge

the charts is In perfect accord with the
reputation it once had, and Deadman's
Bay, at one time, served as the lurking
place of II bold and desperate pirate,
Portuguese, by The name Of Antonio
Gas spardo.
He mad been SLAYER, but deserted
that line OF business Tor The more con-
genial life of a freebooter; his deeds OF
cruelty and blOOdshed soon gIining for
him a notOriety that reached the vigi-
liant ears Of the naval officers on the sta
ton.
The following sketch, the particulars
oC which were related 10 the writer by a
participant in the affair will explain the
somewhat exciting manner by which
Antonio Gaspardo closed his guilty
career, and received that punishment
that he so richly deserved, and mad SO
long eVaded.
The main land, which by its curvature
formed the AarDor, offered to view moth
ing but shelving beach ofsand, backed
by few small hammocks thrown up by
the occasional fury OF the Atlantic gales.
Arid and bare. the glistening simmer
ing sand afforded no subsistence for
vegetable life. the water in the bay was
calm and smooth as polished mirror,
upon the placid surface OF which fioated
challenged the admiration of those cap
able Of Judging of her merits.
X ding to a single anchor, the schooner,
for such was the rig, 1loated in motion
ess beauty. The low sides were painted
black, her raking masts were clean
sCraped, and the canvas, white as gulPs
wing, had been furled with the harbor
precision of man-of-War. Awnings
were spread fore and aft to protect the
crew from the powerful rays Of The sun;
her ropes were hauled Caut; and in
every point she had the appearance of
being under the command OF thorough
seaman, and strict disciplinarian.
The schooner was known as the Cen
tipede, and her captain was no less a
parsonage than Antonio Gaspardo, who
clad in an Immaculate suit Of white, oc-
cupied the quarter de ok, while confront
ing him was man clad in the rough
garO OF a seaman.
$50, SO, Senior Jack Thompson, as you
call yourself. You presume to dlsobey
my positive orders, do youw
| 81 refuse to join tlIs Vessel as one oil
her crew, Sir, and you have no authority
over me to compel sucl an act"
"No authority, eh," responded th g
| Portuguese with sneer. do you dare
to dispute my will hereW and the swar-
thy rascal glanced about the broad deck
OF the Centipede, his snake-like eyes
| lighting up with pride as he viewed his
stalWart crew OF all nations l0unging
about, striving i'll vain to catch breath
Of fresh air beneath the awnings.
II dare dispute your right, when you
would compel me to join your gang O.
cuLthroals," responded the seaman
boldly, his gray eyes blazing with i'll
dlgnaLion as they met the AaIf ayerted
gaze OF the Portuguese.
You trlne with Your life, Senor
Thompson" SAID The burly chief, his
right hand toying ,nervously with the
butt OF nuRe pls'oi Which peeped forth
from The inside OF his coat. "RemembeI
that w me you owe your very eXlstence
| Had it not been for my friendly inter
yention, my bulldogs would have left
you u perish i'll your misery, Snip.
wrecked, your vessel destroyed, foun.
| dered in a sQuall, with you the sole sur.
.ver dashed to spar, a mere speek, an
| atom floating upon the broad ocean, ex
posed to the merciless rays of the sun
the pangs Of hunger and thirst, took pity
upon YOU. Yes, even wnen my crew
murmured AGAINST the act, | lowered
boat, snatched you from the jaws of death
lnursed you until you We. g once more
yourself, and now that am on the poinr
OF departing on cruise, you refuse t(
become one Of us. Is This your graft
tudep
"Gratitudew echoed the sailor, draw
ling his powerful frame up to its fulles
lheigut. "W hat 40 you or your ganl
know Of gratitude? You are worse lnal
sharks, or the tigers who growl anC
roar in yon distant jungle. Sooner thai
become one Of you, L would prefer to re
ceive the contents otyour pistol throug
my brain, or be left to perish on yon bal
rem sand bank"
every we'll, Jack Thompson, you shal
have your wiSh-you shall be Left on tn
sandy shores Of Deadman's bay. Ant
when you see the canvas of the Cent
pede glLstening in the distance, you vii
pernaps repent Of the resolve you haV
Iaken," and with smile Of fliEltul Inl
port the pirate disappeared below, leaN
ing the undaunted seaman at liberty l.
commune with his own thoughts an
speculate upon the probable intention
OF his unscrupuIous enemy.
With the first rays of the morning su
the Centipeue, with all sail sst, was il
readiness TO take advantage OF tn
morning breeze, which was beginning t
rufle the sluggish waters OF the bay.
A small party OF jeering rasoals ha
assembled on the beach, viewing wit
, yells Of delight the spectacle OF a ma
securely bound TO stunted palm tret
lit WAS Jack Thompson, WIZ
pale and silent, listened
tne parting salutation Of Al
: tUnio Gaspardo, who, With mock polite
ness, had removed his WIue.brImm G
} Guafaquil hat.
I YoueXpressed q wish 10 remain her,
\ Senior Thompson, and L have gralitied
| , trust you will not find the location III
5 comfortably hot, and one oil these days
/ shall return to look alter you. TAX
t good care OF yourself, ,or some stray tigt
{ NAV take fancy to yOu," and witn
= last saluta ion The pirates lett the ma
i to his fate.
With compressed lirs and clenche
: teeth, the sailor watched the Ceutlpet
as she slowly g. ded from the harbo
b Tue white sails swelled gently out b
A fore the refreshing breeze; the loamir
: waters gurgled merrily round the shal
:, cutwater; the copper fl flshed like bu
}, pished gold as the fleet schoont
Q careened on her side, and the ST
r glanced with oazzltDg brightness fro
: The long brass pIVct-gun which II
q schooner carried amidshlps.
e Gaspardo STOOD OH the tatfrail waYil
e an adieu until the sand hills az the G
u trance OF the bay shut him out fro
), view.
All through that hot, sultry day I'll