The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-03-01
Capt. seth's Passengers.


was,it the shrlll note of sea guilt"
II hear nothing, Captain Williams.
You would scarce expect to meet with
any one midway in Honduras Bay"
every true, Adams; but these are
strange times for this part of the coun-
try, They are in a state of excitement
and revolution half the time. The un-
successful ones have to fly for their
lives. There-there it 10 again. Schoon-
er ahoyI 1t is some one adrift in a
boat, surei Heave to, Mr.. Adams, and
we'll see whatit all means" ......
1t was decidedly what, in nautical
parlance, would be termed "a dirty
night.O The wind, in ftful gusts, blew
disectly on shore; the rain, in blinding
showers, drove full in the faces OF the
seamen as they strove to pierce the i'm
penetrable darkness, which, was rem.
dered all the more intense by OCCASION
al vivid flashes OF lightning. A heavy
swell had suddenly set in from the east
ward-a sure harbinger Of gale OF
wind.
The Falcon was a fleet-sailing, topsail
schooner, engaged in the Havana trade
some thirty years ago, owned anu CONF
manded by Captain Williams. Elias
Adams, the mate, was the true type OF
| Down Easter, and was in love with
his skipper's daughter-a fact the Cap
tain made no objection TO-.
The Falcon was tolerably we'll armed,
CARVING long nine-pOunder forward
and a sufficient number OF small arms to
supply the crew in case Of an attack
| from pirates, who at that time abounded.
| "Aere comes boat full Of menV
shouted the mate from forward, and the
next instant a long, unwieidy craft,
| dropped suddenly out OF the murky
gloom. wrasping and pounding along.
side the schooner.
Almost before Williams was aware OF
it, fifteen as misunderstanding rascals
as ever cried "ViUa reUoIation!" stood
on the deck of the pretty Falcon, all
talking, gestieulating, and struggling
their shoulders at once. .
10 say that Captain Williams was
startled would but i'll express the alarm
and uneasiness which he felt. His
weather beaten features assumed pal
lid cast meath the rim OF his old SOU.
wester, as he held a lantern on high aud
scanned the motley group before him.
"Who and what are ye,' he demanded,
and what do yer want aboard Of my YES
sel?' ..
s.say the word, Captain Seth, and I'll
have clear decks 'Iore you can strike
eight bells" l.
| 1No, no, Adams; it would be worse
than murder To turn them adrilt in the
teeth OF a gale of wind brewing. Listen
| to wnat the spokesman says in his bro.
ken lingo" t.,.
| They were adherents and supporters
| of the Senior AmorenU, who at tnat time
was prominent agitator in the affairs
of his country. A popular demonstra'
/ tion in his favor hade been defeated
Irhey had been forced to fly ior theii
Hives, and they now offered Captain Seth
civilians $75 in GOLD per man to land
them on any of the West India Islands
OF the Spanish main.
| "What do you think of it. EliasT said
the Captain, as he drew his stalwart
mate and son-in-law prospective to one
Slde,
| "Wen, itit was me, l bad sooner see
them out of the ship than in it. But as
long as they are here, why make them
lshow the color of their money. Then
keep good lookout on them, and land
'em as soon as you set a chance"
Captain Williams at once mustered
the self-imposed passengers in the cabin,
T who promptly paid their passage money
without a smurmur. They were given
Quarters between decks, made as com
ElOrtabie as circumstances would admit,
and the Falcon proceeded on her way,
beating out oil J0e pay.
I captain Williams had made up his
mind to land his passengers ON the
western extremity OF Cuba, but events
occurred which caused him 10 radically
change his plans. ...a,. s.
1t was the second day OF the passen-
gers being on board. Every thing was
Quiet on deck, and the Falcon slipping
along with a tair wind, 80 Captain Will
liams improved the opportunity to
| straighten out his accounts, and count
! over his outward freight money, amount
ing to over So, 800 in specie. 49,. .......
| Amid the metallic ring of the gold and
silver, as the coins slid rapidly through
| his fingers, Captain Seth heard sup
pressed breathing. Looking quickly
over his shoulder ne saw a black-whis-
kered visage gazing through. the. air port
of his state-room. The instant he found
himself detected the interIoper disap.
peared. .,.--.. ttr
| Captain Williams reported the sus-
/ picipus circumstance to mis- mate. who
advised him to load up the small arms
which he did quietly, while the monel
was secured i'll canvas bags and slowed
n a secret locker attached his state
room. .. ...
/ Late that afternoon sail was re.
ported off the weather-boW, and while
: the captain went aiOIG TO nave a look al
, the stranger, Elias lounged carelessIy
among the Hondureans.
The mate with shrewdness common
to the land he claimed as his native
: place, had disaVowd all knowledge O
the, Spanish language, when, ON the con
trary, he was perfectly conYersant will
| it. The brave fellow never lost his pres
ence of mind, or allowed muscle OF hi,
face to betray the purporty of the alarm
, | ing conversation that reached his ears
The fact OF The gold and silver beinI
on board had been duly reported to th,
z gang, and with amazing coolness the
i plotted the destruction OF all on board
t The deep laid plans to seize the, vesse
was TO be put in force that very night
all hands thrown overheard, and TIE
vessel run to. the southwark until til,
Spanish main was sighted.
I When Captain Seth reached the deck
the nate cautiously impaired the start
ling news to his superior, and measure,
were at once taken to BATTLE the scoun
ldrels.
\ Their plan of attack was as follows
Hone OF their number WIS to sire tch him
self alongside Tie cabih skylight, will
Il INSTRUCTIONS to take care of the officer o.
b = 4