The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-12
CAPTAIN SETH's PASSENGERS.

You would scarce expect to meet with
any one midway in Honduras Bay"
avery true, Adams; but these are
strange times for this part of the coun-
try. They are in state of excitement
and revolution half the time. The un-
successful ones have to fly for their
lives. There-there it is again.
Schooner ahoy! 1t is some one adrift in
a boat, sure! Heave to, Mr.. Adams,
and well see what it all means"
1t was decidedly what, in nautical
parlance, would be termed "a dirty
might" The wind, in fitful gusts, blew
directly on shore; the rain, in binding
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 occasional
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 feet-sailing topsail
schooner, engaged in the Havana trade
some thirty years ago, owned and COM
manded by Captain Williams. Elias
Adams, the mate, was the true type of
Down-Easter, and was in love with his
shippers daughter-a fact the captain
made no objection to.
The Falcon was tolerably well-armed,
carrying long nine-pounder forward,
and sufficient number of small arms to
supply the crew in case of an attack
from pirates, who at that time abounded.
"Here comes a boat full of menw
shouted the mate from forward; and the
next instant long unwieldy craft drop
ped suddenly out of the murky gloom,
rasping and pounding alongside the
schooner.
Almost before Williams was aware of
it, fifteen as Misunderstanding rascals as
ever shouted "Viva revolutionp stood
.on the deck of the pretty Falcon, all
talking, gesticulating and struggling
their shoulders at once.
To say that Captain Williams was
startled would but ill-express the alarm
and uneasiness which he felt. His
weather-beaten features assumed a
pallid cast meath the rim of his old SOU
wester, as he held lantern on high and
scanned the motley group before him.
"Who and what are ye," he de-
manded, "and what do yer want aboard
of my vessel?"
"Say the word, Captain Seth, and I'll
have clear decks fore you can strike
eight BELLS"
"No, no, Adams; it would be worse
than murder TO turn them adrift in the
teeth of a gale of wind brewing. Listen
to what the spokesman says, in his
broken lingo"
They were adherents and supporters
of the Senior AmOreno, who at that time
was prominent agitator in the affairs
of his country. A popular demonstra-
ton in his favor had been defeated.
They had been forced to fly for their
lives, and they now offered Captain Seth
Williams seventy-five dollars in gold,
per man, to land them on any of the
West India Islands, or the Spanish main.
"What do you think of it, Elias ?'
said the captain, as he drew his stalwart
mate and son-in-law prospective to one
side.
"Well, if it was me, had sooner see
them out of the ship than in it. But
as long as they are here, why make them
show the color of their money. Then
keep good lookout on them, and land
'em as soon as you get chance"
Captain Williams at once mustered
the self-imposed passengers in the cabin
who promptly paid their passage-money
without a murmur. They were giver
quarters between decks, made as com
Portable as circumstances would admit
and the Falcon proceeded on her way
beating out of the bay.
Captain Williams had made up hi
mind to land his passengers on tn,
western extremely of Cuba, but events
occurred which caused him to radically
change his plans.
1t was the second day of the passen
gers being on board. Everything wa
quiet on deck, and the Falcon slippin,
along with fair wind, so Captain viii
liams improved the opportunity t.
straighten out his accounts, and coun
over his outward freight money, amount
ing to over thirty-five hundred dollar
in specie.
Amid the metallic ring of the gol
and silver, as the coins slid rapid
through his fingers, Captain Seth hear
suppressed breathing. Looking quickl
over his shoulder, he saw black-whisl
cred visage gazing through the air pol
of his state-room. The instant he foun
himself detected the interloper disaJ
peared.
Captain Williams reported the SUI
picious circumstance to his mate, wh
advised him to load up the small arm
which he did quietly, while the none
Nd0 StCultu Ill CduNdS Days anu STOWE
in secret locker attached to his stat,
room.
Late that afternoon sail was r.
ported off the weather-bow, and whi
the captain went aloft to have look
the stranger, Elias lounged carelessI
among the Hondureans.
The mate, with shrewdness commo
to the land he claimed as his natl,
t.lana ha6 diaou oil Epnxxylalora
the Spanish language, when, on the co
trary, he was perfectly conversant wit
it. The brave fellow never lost h
presence of mind, or allowed muse
OF his face to betray the purport of ii
alarming conversation that reached h
ears.
The fact of the gold and silver beil
on board had been duly reported to Il
gang, and with amazing coolness tn,
plotted the destruction of all on boar
Their deep-laid plans to seize the vess
were to be put in force that very nigf
all hands thrown overheard, and t
vessel run to the southwark until t
Spanish main was sighted.
When Captain Seth reached the dec
the mate cautiously impaired the sta
ling news to his superior, and measur
were at once taken to battle the scou
drels.
Their plan of attack was as follow
One Of their number was to stretch hi
self alongside the cabin skylight, wi
instructions to take care of the officer
watch by a thrust of a knife. A
other was to take up a position in t
rear of the man at the wheel, who "
to be pitched unceremoniously ov
board. A third was to stand by t
cabin companion-way, to brain the CT
tain as he came on deck to ascertain
cause of the confusion. The REMAND
of the gang were to go below as usu
so as not to excite suspicion, but at t
signal, which was to be eight bells I'm
night, they were to rush on deck a
secure the watch. The remainder