The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-02-19
as well as pirate, the captain must be
we'll acquainted with the bar, the coast,
and the Inv Of tie lind franarallu

as we'll as pirate, the captain must be
well acquainted with the bar the coast,
and the lay of the land generally.
''I'll guarantee the scoundrel is this mo-
ment warplng up the river" exclaimed
the commander as his eyes flashed with
suppressed anger; ''but this respite from
vengeance shall avail him nothing. We
have left our mark on his natty mainsail,
and could almost swear we hulled the
schooner once--that last shot, you know
- but we'll clip her wings yet, Mr.. Clax-
ton. I cannot hope to cross the bar be-
fore evening, bv which time the sea will
have gone down, but in the meanwhile
much can be done. Have the launch
hoisted out, the howitzer mounted, and
by noon the boat can start up the river.
You may send the second lieutenant, or
go in charge yourself; but l only want
one report northumberland me, sir
when the expedition returns. I would
not burden myself with prisoners. Re-
member the poor fellow of the Nabob; =
and with warm shake of the hand, the
com mander retired to the privacy of his
cabin, leaving his executive to perfect his
plans at his leisure. RI
Jack Weathersby, with file of his best
marksmen, accompanied Ralph as volun-
teers; and as the broad ashen blades fell
with a splash in the water, three hearty
cheers rent the air from the corvette's
crew, who secretly envived the picked
men selected for the enterprise.
It required no little skill and consider
QhIA manOonvQrinr tn hor ~,
safety, and escape being swamped, but
it was accomplished, and with long,
steady strokes the double banked oars
rapidly urged the substantial boat up the
dark, silent waters of the African river.
The shores were closely scanned as they
proceeded, but there was but little chance
of the schooner finding hiding-p place
among the thickly-interlaced mango
trees.
The sun set, and the short tropical twi-
light was followed by deep solemn night.
One by one the stars peeped forth, reflect
ed back in the dark depths of the river,
and no sound was heard from the silent
depths of the jungle on either side OF them,
save the occasional splash of an alligator,
or the howl of some beast of prey in the
distance. The oars had been muffled, the
utmost silence enforced, and moving eau
tiously forward, the reflection of lights
amid the gloom ahead told Ralph that
the prize he sought could not be far dis
tant.
Pulling inshore, the lieutenant left the
command in charge of his friend Wealth
ersby, informing him that he preferred
accommodating the ground before making
9 cash, and if he did not return inside of
two hours, to advance an attack without
reference to him. --...-s
Leaping on to the Shiny shore, Ralph
clambered up the steep bank, and guild
ing himself by the river, made rapid pro-
gress. When abreast of what appeared
to be town, judging from the numerous
lights and ceaseless chatter of the negroes.
the officer found that deep creek pre-
vented him from approaching nearer; and
rs the dim outline of vessels spars
loomcd up Though the gloom, he was al
most tempted to take his chances with the
and swim. But fortunately he
was spared that desperate alternative.
Stumbling along in the dark through
the mud and mire Of the creek, almost
sutocated by the strong odor of musk
rising from the hideous caymen abound
ing on al sides, Ralph was fortunate
enough to ind an old worm eaten canoe,
with the remains Of a paddle in the bot
Dm.
In an other instant he had dragged it
forth from the Shiny clay, and with eau
tious strokes dropped silently down with
the tide, gaining a position under the
dark counter of the vessel, which he re-
cognized at glance as the Esmeraida.
The large stern potts we're open, the
lace curtains partially drawn aside, while
the soft, pleasant light from large
swinging lamp Illuminated the apart
ment furnished with an elegance that
betokened considerable taste on the part
of the owner.
Asleep, on the velvet-cushioned tran
som. reclined the form of a young lady,
her pale featurus, golden hair, and long
sweeping eyelashes but partially visible
to kalp phi as he steadied himself in his
crazy craft, clinging to the Ornamental
work of the stern.
A line towing over the side served him
for painter; then, feeling for his revol-
yer; the officer drew himself noiselessly
up. until his head was on level with
the rail, glanced about hin. for second,
and then boldly swung himself over the
taffrail.
The Esmeralda was moored to half
ruined bamboo wharf, which was consid-
erably above the schooner's deck; and
keeping we'll in the shadow, Ralph crept
forward until he obtained an unrestricted
view of the forward cabin.
Seated at table covered with decanters
and glasses, was the Spaniard. His face
was pale, and a broad bandage encircled
his head in place of the jaunty cap with
its golden band. He had evidently been
drinking, and his gait was unsteady as
he approached the folding doors leading
to the private cabin. He muttered softly
to himself as he tried the doors, shook
them, and when they refused to yield, a
furious oath burst from his Ii s.
Ralph saw there was no time to lose.
and gliding rapidly back, resumed his
place in the canoe. He could easily have
shot Jules Gaspardo, as he called himself,
but the crew of the schooner sleeping
beneath the awning on the main deck
would have quickly avenged their leaders
fall. p. ..:,t
DRAWING the curtains aside +ha rirl