The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-02-20

1uumc1lSt OcAlu VI Tue St1duScl. hC pals
sppeared~ heavy enough tor a vessel
twice her tonnage, while the snow-white
canvas, taut as a board, set without q
wrinkle, its immense AREA catching the
faintest breath of the land breeze which
sent the water bubling and gurgling
around the graceful curve of the cutwater.
Every rope was hauled taut not a rope
yarn could be discerned flying from alott,
and as the beautiful craft swept by, heel
ing slightly over to the treshening breeze
until the sun played on the FURNISHED
sheathing, Ralph could not but ackRowl-
edge her as perfect specimen Of nautical
beauty as be had ever seen
''lt's pity she does not mount battery,
with Uncle Sans pennant flying from
her msin-truclz," he muttered.
Standing on the quarterback of the
schooner, his tail, well-knit form dis.
played to advantage in we'll fitting suit
of flannel, his dark, curly hair surmounted
by cap bordered with gold lace, stood
the Spaniard. With mocking smile he
lifted his cap, and bowling low, shouted
to Ralph, whom he had singled out from
all others:
"My account with you is still open
But we shall meet again; then l will
have such settlement as shall satistify
even Jules G spardo. Adios."
And almost before Ralph had recover
ed from his temporary rage and amaze
ment, the schooner had shot ahead, and
kept off for the entrance to the noble
farbor, but not before the naval officer
noticed on the beautiful yacht-l:ke stern
of the schooner the name in large gold
letters, Esmeralda.
At that moment the master at arms re-
ported the berth deck clear, ETC.; the sail
loosers sprang aloft, the drum and fife
struck up merry strain as the blue
jackets walked round the captain and the
anchor broke ground, the topsails, topgal-
lantsails and royals were sheeted home,
jibs run up, head-yards canted, aud the
FREELY, gathered Roadway, swept
through the water with speed not un.
worthy the fame she had acquitted, bound
for the west coast of Africa.
The corvette was scarcely thirty-six
| hours sail from the mouth Of the Rio
Pongo River, when the lookout reported
bri e looming out of the haze, and but
short distance to leeward. Keeping off,
the corvette swept down upon the stran-
ger,who presented singular appearance
braces hanging slack, courses hauled up,
| jips down, and not soul to be seen on
board to answer the repeated hail of the
officer of the deck.
The old gray haired commander of the
Fire Fly ordered the stranger to be ove:.
hauled, and, as the corvette came to tic
wind with her main-yard aback, the
second cutter, in charge of al officer
pulled alongside. But a short time
elapsed before lie returned with the mas.
ter Of the Inflated vessel in the
stern-sheets. He was bleeding from &
dozen wounds, any one Of which would
have been sufficient to have cost him his
life
He was the only survivor. he said, o.
the English brig Nahob. His name was
Ashton, and his craft had been boarded
by gang of ruflians from schooner
whose guns had forced him to heave to
Ills daughter, his motherless child, Win
ME, had been torn from his arms, and he
lett to die in the cabin; while the crew
to man, had been compelled to walk {
plank. To the commanders inquiry i
he could describe the craft, the dying
man responded, family, "Topsail schooner
rig, name, Esmeralda-sav my daugh -
And, throwing back his head, the sea
man died without groan.
The story OF the murdered man raj
like wildfire throughout the ships com
pany, and the sympathy OF the man Of
wars men was apparent from the tlashin,
eyes and compressed lips Us the deat
body If the shipmaster was committed t
the deep. An officer and five snamcl
were then detailed to " ,rk the brig, witt
orders to shape course for Goree, and t
await the arrival Of the corvette.
The bret ~ was freshening, curling VI
the waves OF the broad Atlantic, tippir:
them with foam, as the man.ot- wa
parted Company with the brig. The mist
of the morning rapidly rolled up an,
dispersed meath the rayso of the fierce sun
and "Sail ho!' burst from dozen throat
as the snow white canvas aud long
apering spars OF Il schooner were seeI
not over five miles distant from the Fire
Fly.
IT'S the Esmeralda, by the chimes o
old st. Michael! I should recoynz
those spars among ten thousaud;' ans
in low, rapid tone the executive ad
dressed his superior, who nodded al
assent as he disappeared below, saying:
"Carry on to the last moment, MI
Claxton. Do not spare either spars O
canvas in your efforts to capture tina
scoundrei; and as soon as they will bea1
give the sallow rascal taste of our lon,
eighteens."
The schooner had discovered the III
welcome presence Of her formidable 70
almost at the same moment, and bracin
up her bead-yards, at the same time TAX
ing in the huge squarcsail. the schoone
hauled by the wind, her fore-and-aft sail
setting like boards.
The corvette was not idle, and scarccl
had the echo of the boatswains call die
away, when the excited seamen were dar1
ing aloft, active as monkeys. In tries
the man.Oi-war was clothed in clouds {
canvas, every avilable stitch set thu
would draw, one watch piped below wit
hammocks slung, and th:rty-two-poun
shot slowed in each one to make the cra1
lively. With yards braced fine as net
dies, tacks hove close down, and sheet
hauled flat aft, the corvette was rushin
through the water at speed that brougt
smile of stern joy to many bronze
cheek.
"Mind your huff, quarter master; n
nearer, my man." And Ralph glanced 6
the leach of the main. topsail, which SHY
cred slightly from time to time.
"Ayc, aye, sir!'' growled the old scs
man: as he hove the wheel up spoke c
two. "1ts full-and-by now, but afor
night Jome of these light kites will b
slowed, or III lose my grog" And as
muttered the last sentence under hi
breath he glanced to windward, where
threatening bark of dark ragged cloud
, were rapidly rising towards the zenitl
, while long. uneasy swell had set il
causing the corvette to send the spra
high above the weather cathead.
"Ha, my bilious gamcster, if We al
taking ducking, YOU are not escapin
!, your bath;' and Raj phi watched til
schooner slipping throug h the seas, di,