West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-05-01
The riiot'S Revenge.

1t was towards night, on the twenty-first
of September, 1884 & small English war
brig, which had been fitted cut for the sup
preston of smuggling, was lazily creeping
along the heavy, monotonous swells, lust
of the coast of Galway, and on her deck
WAS being enacted scene OF somewhat
more than common interest. The day be-
fore she had captured small boat, loaded
with contraband. articles, together with an
old man and boy who had charge of them,
and the captain of the brig, whose name
was Dracutt, had ordered that the old Snug
gler should be put inirons. To This indig-
nifty the old man made stout resistance
and, in the heat of the moment he had no
far forgotten himself as TO strike the cap
tain blow which laid him upon the deck
Such an insult to an English officer WIS
past endurance. and. in punishment for
his offence, the smuggler had been con-'
demned to die.
a single whip was rove at the starboard
fore yard arm; and all hands were called
TO witness the execution. The rope was
noosed and slipped over the culprits head,
and the running end was rove thro' a small
snatch-block upon the deck. Until this
moment not a word escaped the lips of the
boy. He trembled as he beheld the awful
preparation, aud as the fatal moose was
passed and drawn tight, the color forsook
his checks, and he sprang forward and
dropped upon his knees before the incensed
captain.
Mercy, sir, mercy !" It.
''For whomg" asked the officer. while a
contemptuous sneer rested upon his lips"
For that Old man whom you are about
TO kill"
Gle dies, boy"
"But he is my father, sir.
'No matter if he were my own father,
that man who strikes an English officer,
while in the performance Of his duty, must
die.
"But he was manacled-he was iGsulted,
sir, urged the hoy.
'Insulted," repeated the captain. "who
insulted him ?" -
You did, sir replied the boy, while
his face was flushed with indignation.
tGet up, sir, aud be careful that Won do
not get the same treatment" said the cap
tain in a savage tone. fHr
The old man heard thisappeaof his son,
and as the tart words dropped from the lips
OF his captor, he raised his head. and. while
a look Of the utmost defiance passed over
his features, he exclaimed
"Ask. no favOrs Robert, Old Hark Kin
took can die as well now as at any time
Let them do their worst"
Then turning TO Captain Dracutt. be
changed his tone 20 one of deep supplica-
ton, and said
DO what you please with me, sir, but
do not harm my boy; for he has done no
wrong. / am ready for your sentence, and
the sooner you finish 1t the better"
''Lay hold Of tie whip" shouted the
captain; lay hold, every man of you, and
stand by o.run the Villas up.
In obedience TO this order, the men
ranged thewselves along the deck, and each
one laid hold of the rope. robert Kintock
looked first at his father and then ran his
eyes along the line of men who were to be
his executors. But not one sympafhizino
or pitying look could he trace, their faces
were all hard and cold, and they all ap-
peared anxious TO cOnsummate their muir
derous work.
What, exclaimed the boy, while tear
started from hrs trembling lid. sis there
not OHe even, who cam pity -
Up with him Z" shouted the captain.
Robert buried bis face in his hands. and
the next moment his fafher was swinging
from the yard-arm lie heard the passing
rope and the creaking block, and he knew
that he was fatheriess
Hall an hour Afterwards the boy knelt
by the side OF ghastly corpsc, aud a sim-
pie prayer escaped his lips Then another
low, muunuung sound came up from his
bosom, but none II those who stood around
knew his import. II was q pledge for deep
revenge.
just "a the old mans body slid from the
gangway into the water vivid flash Of
lightning streamcd through the heavens.
and IN another moment the dread artillery
Of nature sent forth a roaI 50 long and loud
that the men actually placed their hands 10
lhcir ears 10 shut ont its dcafening roar.
Robert Kintock started at the sound; aud
what caused dread mothers bosoms, sent a
thrill Of satiafaction TO his own.
"Ohl Revenge Revenge!" he NUT
tered to himself, ~ be cast his ewes over
the foam waves, which had already
risen beneath the power Of the sudden
torn
The darkness had come as quickly as the
storm, and AL that could be distinguished