Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-04-18
A Lakeside Musing.
Chicago Tribune.

On his heel after giving this order in
the sharp, decisive tone habitual to
scafaring men and continued to pace
the quarterback of the Avenger with
regular tread. With hands behind
him, and eyes steadily fixed on the
oaktn planks which upheld him, he
did not look like man whose mind
was pressing the weight of Il great
rcsponsibility--a responsibility that
ere the sun sank to rest beneath the
waters might necessitate the she'd
ding of human blood. For five
minutes he paced the deck in silence,
and then, turning with show Of
impatience, and speaking in tone
that betrayed irritation if not anger,
he again said: "Avast hcaving."
The man to whom the command
was addressed, a fine, brawny fe-
low, with clear eye and honest face
in fact the very model of first
class sailor-drcw in his head from
over the bulwarks and replied: 81
can not"
"IIow long have you been in the
American navy, my man " asked the
Captain, in not unkind tones"
"Tcn years, sir" was the reply.
"And is this your first experience
on the water?"
"Yes, sir"
every well -; avast hcaving as soon
as ii is convenient"
"Ayc, aye, SIR replied the man,
hitching up his pants respectfully.
The Captain walked slowly aft
and addressed the man at the wheel
sold Tom,' a grizzlcd sea dog, who
had sailed the Wabash under Secre-
tary Thompson, and seen service of
the rock bound coast of LemOnt when
a hostile constabulary endeavored TO
attach a canalboat.
"lIow does she head ?" asked the
Captain. looking into the pinnacle.
"West by SOUTH" replied Old Tom,
giving the wheel turn and glancing
aloft TO see that the, topsails were
drawing. II think we shall have a
capful of wind from the north to-
night" he added. "Yon cloud has
wicked look"
every WE'LL said the Captain. ~
will tell the cook 10 lash the beef
steak to the galley and make fast the
toothpicks, in case anything should
happen"
Night has come.
The Avenger is cleaving the water
in gallant style the white foam curl
ing from her bow as she comes in
stays and stands away on the star
board tack The quarterback is de-
serted save by Lieut.. Alltaut, whose
watch it is. The Captain has gone
below and the steady strident snore
that is waited upward tells that he is
asleep. Suddenly one Of the lookouts
comes aft and touches his cap to the
Lieutenant
There's a sail on the port bow" he
says.
Lieutenant Alltaut takes his glass
and looks in the direction indicated.
at is the pirate" he says, speaking
calmly, as do all naval ofliccrs-in
books. "Send a man below to put a
clothes-pin on the Captains nose.
Aud while you are there bring up
my cutlass and piece of pie"
The man disappeared.
In the meantime preparations had
been made for the approaching con.
flict, The men were stationed be.
J hind the bulwarks, and their faces
wore determined look. Nearer
and nearer drew the Avenger to hel
prey until at last she lay alongsid,
/. the dreaded oyster pirate of Chesa
peake Bay. Not sign of life wa
: visible on the craft. From the miz
\ zenmast a weeks washing flappet
y dismally in the night wind. Lieu
tenant Alltaut reached over th
Avengers side and grasped a shir
thereby being enabled to hold hi
: vessel steady. The men witnessed
this maneuver in silent admiration
. Brilliant seamanship always com
d mands respect.
Q. "Ship ahoy!" called the Lieuten
e ant.
., A noice was heard abroad the Graf
and an instant later Black Mike, h
pirate appeared on deck. He com
: pretended the situation in an instan
and drawing huge knife from hi
boot, sprang forward to cut the TAI
from the shirt to which Lieutenan
Alltaut was holding, thereby allow
ing the Avenger to drift into tn
darkness. The officer was on th
alert, however, and felled the pirat
to the deck with piece of the Gov
ernment pie which he had not ha,
time to eat. The man rose quickly
but thoroughly humbled.
"Well," he said, sullenly, "you hav
caught me at last"
"Do you surrender" asked tn
Lieutenant.
"Nu," answered the pirate, with
horrible oath; ~ will sell my lif
dearly"
"Rehect on what you are doing !;