Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-05-20
The filot'S Revenge.

1t was towards night, on the twenty first
of September, 1854, & small English war
brig. which had been fitted out for the sup
preston of smuggling, was lazily creeping
along the heavy, monotonous swells, just
off 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 in irons. To this indig
nifty the old man made stout resistance,
and, in the heat Of the moment, he had so
far forgotten himself as to strike the cap
tain blow which laid him upon the deck.
Such an insult to an English officer was
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 culprit's head,
and the running end was rove thro' a small
snatch-hock upon the deck. Until this
moment not a word escaped the lips of the
boy. He trembled as he beheld the awful
preparation, and as the fatal moose was
passed and drawn tight, the color forsook
his cheeks, and he sprang forward and
dropped upon his knees before the incensed
captain.
Mercy, sir, mercy !"
''For whom2" asked the officer, while a
contemptuous sneer rested upon his lips. "
"For that old man whom you are about
to kill"
''He 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 insulted,
sir, " urged the boy.
"Insulted," repeated the captain, ''who
insulted him p
"You did, SIR replied the boy, while
his face was flushed with indignation.
''Get up, sir, and be careful that you do
not get the same treatment" said the cap
tain in a savage tone.
! sThe old man heard this appeal OF his son,
and as the tart words dropped fromthe lips
| of his captor, he raised his head, and, while
look of the utmost defiance passed over
| his features, he exclaimed
'Ask no favors, Robert, Old Hark Kin
! took can die as we'll now as at any time.
| Let them do their worst.
Then turning to Captain Dracutt, he
! changed his tone TO one Of deep supplica-
tion, and said
''Do what you please with Inc, sir, but
do not harm my boy; for he has done no
wrong. | am ready for your sentence, and
the sooner you finish it the better"
Lay hold of tie whip" shouted the
captain ''lay hold, every man of you, and
stand by to run the villain up"
In obedience to this order, the men
ranged themselves 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 sympathizing
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 his trembling lid, 'is there
not one even, who can pity z"
"Up with him !" shouted the captain.
Robert buried his face in his hands, and
the next moment his father was swinging
from the yard-arm. He heard the passing
rope and the creaking block, and lie knew
that he was fatherless.
Half an hour afterwards the boy knelt
by the side of a CHASTITY corpse, and SIM
pie prayer escaped his lips. Then another
low, murmuring sound came up from his
bosom. but none of those who stood around
knew his import. 1t was pledge for deep
revenge.
Just as the old mans body slid from the
gangway into the water, vivid flash ol
lightning streamed through the heavens,
and in another moment the dread artillery
of nature sent forth roar so long and loud
that the men actually placed their hands tc
their ears to shut out its deafening roar.
Robert Kintock started at the sound; and
what caused dread in others bosoms, sent q
thrill of satisfaction to his own.
ooh !! Revengel Revenge!" he NUT
tered to himself, as he cast his eyes over
the foam-crested waves, which had already
risen beneath the power of the sudden
torn.
The darkness had come as quickly as the
storm, and all that could be distinguished