The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-02-19

4 through his veins with quickened pulls
as he saw the sinister smile Of exultatiol
on the thin and sallow lips of the gam
bier. -.
1t was the last stake of the pSrser, ant
huge drops of perspiration stood on tina
officers brow as he prepared to throw tn
dice. Selling aigoblet of brandy from
a servant passing by, he drained it to th.
dregs, but still his hand shook from ex
element. The Spaniard. cool and i'm
perturbable as a statue, was on the poin
of deciding the contest, when grip o.
steel seized the plant wrist; Sigh,
wrench and the concealed dice fell on
the table in full view of all present.
"Take back your gold. pprser. You
have peen tricked, cheated. These dice
are loaded" and Ralph, calm and collect.
| ed, confronted the Spaniard, the detecte
cheat, with glance that compelled his
glittering eyes to quail and his swarthy
complexion to pale.
The spectators had hastily withdrawn,
leaving the principal actors the central
figures. tHn
A furious oath burst from the Spani-
ards lips as he Kissed forth torrent of
fiery threats. .t.@ .|@H
"You shall pay for this with your life's
blood. you cursed Yankee! Here's my
card" But the words died away in his
throat with a convulsive rattle, for the
sinewy fingers of Ralph had compressed
his throat with the strength of wise.
"Your card, you miserable thief! Do
you suppose gentleman would sully his
weapons with such as you? No: treat
you as would the lowest cur skulking in
the cutters of the city," and, suiting the
action to the word, he applied his boot
vigorously to the Spaniard's person, who
fled from the salon amid the jeers and
laughter of all who had witnessed the
affair.
The breeze of excitement which for the
instant had occasloned ripple of dismay
amongst the giddy throng soon died away
and was forgotten. The games of chance
were renewed. the clink of gold again re-
sounded on all sides, and Ralph, accom-
panied by Captain Jack Weathersby and
the purser, retired from the establish
ment.
Walking rapidly to the mole, a boat
was signalled, the gold of Mr.. Sundries.
no insignificant weight, carefully deposit
ed in the stern sheets, and with sigh of
relief the officers babe adieu to the hot,
steaming shore of Jamaica.
The sun was gliding the lofty SUBMITS
Of the Blue Mountains with soft, purp-
lish light as the shrill whistles of the
boatswain and his mates on board the
FREELY summoned all hands to their
stations.
Ralph, trumpet in hand, was walking
impatiently to and fro the quarter. deck,
waiting for hammocks to be reported
slowed before loosing sails and getting
under way. His attention was arrested
by the movements of a topsall schooner,
which at that moment emerged from the
light, silvery haze obscureing the shore.
Steering close to the corvette, Ralph had
au opportunity to note the beautiful lines
of the hull, the sharp bows, clear run, and
immense beam Of the stranger. The spars
appeared heavy enough for a vessel
twice her tonnage, while the snow-white
canvas, taut as a board, set without a
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 o rope
yarn could be discerned flying from alott,
and as the beautiful craft swept by, heel
ing slightly over to the freshening breeze
until the sun played on the FURNISHED
sbeathing, Ralph could not but ackRoWl-
edge her as perfect specimen ofnautical
beauty as he had ever seen
''lt's pity she does not mount a battery,
with Uncle Sans pennant flying from
hor main truclz,' he muttered.
Standing on the quarter deck 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 hooking 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 I 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
harbor, but not before the naval officer
noticed on the beautiful vacht-l:ke stern
of the schooner the name in large gold
letters, Esmeralda.
At that moment the master alarms re-
ported the berth deck clear, etc.; the sail
loosers sprang aloft, the drum and fife
struck up a 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, and the
FREELY, gathered Roadway, swept
through the water with speed not un.
worthy the fame she had acquired, 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
a brig 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,
jibs down, and not a 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 over.