The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-08-31
here. and Won follows will do as tell you

here. and you fellows will do as I tell you,
or I'll know the rcason why" With
whisky In bis head and pistols in his peck
cts Corlett was dangerous customer,
and we prepared 10 make the best Of bad
lob. We all knew that we were pretty
near the headland. bu. what puzzled the
bows was that no light was 70 be seen. |
had my own suspicious. but dared not
mention them.
BOYS" said the captain. at last-a 1T
lie sobered in his effort to make the
creek-"guess we won't try TO make it to-
night. Keep her of bit. ard go easy
down the river"
At that instant saw light flashing
right ahead of us. 1t didn't look exactly
familiar, but we all took it for the light
house
That's lucky" says the captain. Il
thought we were further OF shore Hard
q port" he shouted. We'll clear the
point in good shape now"
Meantime the wind had been gathering
strength and the water was much rougher.
We were now spanking along with reefed
sails at twelve or thirteen knots an hour.
Suddenly there came q crash We had
run aground on the point, 200 yards the
land side OF the lighthouse 1t was such
a shoci. that In ten minutes the schooner
was breaking 20 pieces and sinking Then
it was each man Cor himself was the
first to pick myself up on the low rocks
and the mate was with mo. Soon after
ward three Of the boys, which completed
the crew. showed up. but the captain was
missing.
The matc told me TO 60 up TO the vii
lage for help. while he and the Others
stayed by the vessel In five minutes
came up to the light which had deceived
Us all and caused the wreck 1t was .
largo, bright lantern. in the hands of
Lzzie-Hector Baptistc's wife!
"Liz2ic. cried for heavens sake,
what is this? DO you know what You
have donc?"
sao did not look hcr oil self AZ all
She was pale and haGsard and was
drcnchcd vi,h thc sprgy from thc surf.
NO says she. IN strange tone, not
one bi. Ike her old voice. NO. what
have / doncT'
WHY girl" says. you holding out
that lantern down The shore PVT Capt.
Coriott out Of his reckoning aud lie ran
the schooner aground. What's more, |
guess the captains drowned.
All" she says with ,)rt Of SIGH Of
relief and satisfaction. listen - mo
Pierre. intended 10 wreck Charlie Cor
let.s vessel | know it was wicked, but
he was wicked and made me 50. He
killed my poor Hector-why shouldn't |
kill him? ] expected the schooner would
be here tonight hoped it would. So
did not light up ut the lighthouse. In
stead held this lantern up rs high as |
could reach where | knew it wodld fool
Corlett. You say he is drowned2 Well,
/ am glad-that is what wished. Good
night, Pierre"
As she spol,e-beforo could Interfere
she Jumped. lantern in hand. from the
ledge Of rock on which she stood into tho
deep waters rushed in after her as far
as dared in the swirliae tide, and pcered
into the dari;ness-but could see nothing
of her.
The Hoxt morning. except the wrecked
schooner there was littlJ trace Of the
storm; and, in the bright autumn sun
hgnt, there came floating along the creek
into the quiet settlement. carried BIZ the
tide. two drowned bodies One vas Char
lio Coylett and She other was Yoor Lizzie
In - years old. sir. and l'"o followed
the river all my life, passing Cocletts
cape a thousand times but caH't forget
it, | can't forget it.-De'roit Free Press