The daily gazette., 1877-08-06
lay receive quarters if we surrender


care we Englismen?" 7...'
saw that these words produced q
wonderful effect upon my crew and so
they did upon the other passengers, and
| must confess that they went to my
heart with nerving power. Only
Captain Savage seemed to dislike
them. Upon him they seemed to crate
harshly.
At this moment Mrs Legrand came
upon deck. She had heard her sons
voice, andfperhaps she thought he was
in danger.
"Santa Maria! that is my prizev' ex
claimed one who seemed TO be second
in command among the pirates, as soon
as he saw the beautiful woman.
mo, no, by San Paulo, she's mine"
cried the chieftain aud as he spoke he
started toward the spot where the wild
owed mother stand. His lieutenant
followed him, and SO did several of
the others.
"Stand backr' said Walter.
"Cut, boy--or die!"
Thus spoke the pirate leader but he
spoke no m ore. for the young mans
sword swept the air like lightning and
the Villains head was cleft in twain.
Another stroke and the lieutenant
sharded the same fate.
Now men of England, show the
blood of your proud nation" ..
Every man heard those words, for
they were like bugle notes--clear and
ringing and distinct. remember how
Legrand looked at that moment. He
had just forced his mother below
when he spoke and then he turned up
on the crew. His head was up, his
teeth set 1iuely-chisled nostrils distend
ed and his eyes literally emitting
sparks of fire. He dashed like light
ming shaft among the foe, and we all
followed him. Ever and anon l could
distinguish his form amid the smoke
for there were many pistols fired
and l could see the flash of his bright
blade where it was not covered with
blood. fought with all my might
and 80 did all my men. Savage fought
too but he did not seek places of dam
ger rather seeming to keep his back
against the bulwarks.
Ever and anon the flash of Walters
sword would catch my eye, and / failed
not to see a man fall when it descended.
Ny own men looked to him as their
leading spirit, and did not feel offended.
1 rather felt proud of him. How could
[ help it? The very genius of Mars
seemed to sit behind him. 1t was ais
most miracle how he swept away the
foul villains from before him. AT length
the deck began to grow thin of standing
men, and streams of blood were flowing
toward the scuppers. reached Le-
a OF. a II pkO Ann
from before him. saw his arm move,
and saw another pirate fall.
Then cry broke upon our ears. 1t
was cry for quarter, for mercy. The
fighting ceased, and the living pirates
were huddled together in the starboard
gangway and disarmed. They numbered
eleven men! Ny next work was to
count my own, and found eighteen of
them, and nine of the infantry officers
In the centre of the quarter deck stood
Walter Legrand, He was leaning upon
his sword, and tiny stream of blood
trickled down its faithful blade and
made dark pool upon the deck about
its point. He was still calm and serene,
but the old look of sedate melancholy
had once more taken possession of his
countenance.
"Captain Favor" he said, addressing
me, "can you take care of the prison
ers?" IA. f.#-
1 quickly answered him, dyes"
"Then," said he, 81 will go and COM
fort my mother. She may be anxious. "
The prisoners were put in irons and
placed in safe confinement, and then we
set to work and cleared up the deck.
All hands turned workmen, and ere long
the dead were sewed up In old sails and
buried in the deep, blue sea-friend and
foe together. There were but few wound
ed men. Such as there were, however, !,
were properly cared for.
The evening, when we sat down to
supper, no one could have told, from the
appearance of Walter Legraud, that any
thing unusual had happened. He met
us with same calm smile of recognition,
and his face wore that same look of un-
obtrusive, modest reserve. The meal
was eaten mostly in silence. ] could see
that the other officers gaZed upon the
youth with looks of admiring wonder,
and even Captain Savage was humbled
and awed.
! Legrand saw the looks that were cast
upon him, and he we'll knew what they
meant. After he had finished his sup
per he wiped his lips, and we knew from
his movements that he was going to
speak. pin might have been heard to
dror at that moment. ..5
'Gentlemen," he said, while slight
tremulousness was manifest in his neth>
er lip, "you all know what has passed
since l came on board this ship, and |
shall not recount the painful tale. have
heard the word coward and / have not
| resented it, and had not this day 8
events come TO pass, l should not have
made the explanation which am now
| about to make, for it might have only
been received as the hollow excuse of
one who dared not fight. You have
some of you heard of my father. He was
brave man and good officer, but in
an evil hour he had difficulty with a
brother officer, and he accepted the chal-
lenge to fight duel.
"He met his companion upon the field,
and he fell. He had marched boldly up
to the cannon's mouth for his beloved
country, and his life was spared that his
| bosom friend might take it. My mother
h Gard the sad story. She knew my hot
blood-she knew was my father child,
and she feared for me. She drew my
head upon her grief Laden bosom, and
asked me TO promise her that | would
never give nor receive challenge tc
mortal combat, and that l would never
lend my couutenance or assistance to the
same in the capacity of q friend. | made
the promise, and sealed it with vow
and a mothers prayer went up that
might be true to it. Gentlemen, yor