Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-01-04
THE SENORlTA'S PLOT.
BY ROYAL CLEWLINE.

leans and Havana The sun had disap-
peared beneath the deep blue waters,
leaving broad track of dancing red
dish light that tinoed the water with a
beautiful effect. The light breeze swept
gently DER the water, ana the passen-
gers, Judging from the many exclama
tions of delight, appeared to fully enjoy
the scene.
The attention of some was directed
toward long, low OBJ ect, that rested
like cloud on the distant horizon, and
rs the genial, gray haired captain came
busting aft, with a pleasant smile IL
Illuminating his weather beaten features,
young lady inquired of him what it
was. FOR an instant the old sea dog
glanced in the direction indicated by the
fair hand, then, with an attempt to mod
ulate his voice into it's sweetest tones,
replied:
That cloud, as you call it, young
lady, IS perhaps better known as the Tor
tugss bank, and it was in this vicinity
that once had an exciting adventure;
IN fact, it was fight for my life"
''Oh, do tell us all about it, captain;
we should so much like to hear one of
your sailor Stories, and a general chorus
from the bevy OF fair ones finally decided
the skipper to surrender at discretion,
and IN his matter of fact way the seaman
commenced his yarn without further
preface:
1T was about the year 1925, that
had command of the old brig Maria
She was one of regular line of packets
running from New Orleans to Havana,
and as general thing [ used to be
crowded with passengers.
Rnt Crot in o<
so pleasant as the present time, and the
Gulf of Mexico, including the waters
around Cuba, swarmed with piratical
craft whose boodthirsty deeds terrified
the whole merchant marine, and the
United States were forced to keep q
large squadron actively cruising, that
finally had the desired effect, and in
time they cleared the waters of the free
hooters.
IL left Havana with the hold full Of
merchandise, and in the cabin had one
passenger a tne-looking young fellow
belonging to Commodore Porter's fleet
then stationed in West India waters for
the purpose OF eXterminating the black
hearted villains. He was N dshipman
and had been wounded in cutting-out
expedition against the pirates. He was
now bound to New Orleans, where he re-
sided, having been granted sick leave for
the purpose of recuperation.
"ln the forward saloon-sort of inter-
mediate passengers were nine Spaniards,
black whiskered, swarthy- looking fell
lows, and one Spanish maiden, about
twenty years old, completed the passen-
ger list.
1.-THE young lady occupied the best
stateroom in the after cabin, and must
confess that her beautiful hair, black,
luxuriant and glossy; her eyes, expires
sive. soft and melting as a gazelle's; her
pretty form, coquettish airs and sweet
chances were su Ecent to turn the hearts
and heads of the whole ships company.
She did not appear to have anything to
say to her countrymen in the forward
cabin, and was disposed to treat them
with silent contempt.
II pitied the young lady, for neither
the MILDLY nor myself could speak
word of Spanish; but it did not appear
to have any effect on the ofcer, for he
made love to the senorita in the most
approved fashion and whenever oppor-
tunity offered, while she, nothing 10th,
laughed and chatted in pure Castllian.
and her soft, musical voice could be
heard singing through the cabin when
CECL lAC u1AIt1y was Wy AOI olOC. N1AC
was evidently possessed of wealth; at
least I Judged so from the usual stand
pOint--,appea9ances. She had a pro-
fusion of diamonds and rare gems which,
with Cuban's love of display, she wore
on every possible occasion. | came to
the conclusion that the shrewd MILDLY,
despairing of promotion and having re-
ceived more blows than dollars, was
laying an anchor to windward, for which
l could not blame him, and wished him
success in capturing the prize if he
could. But what puzzled me was how
they managed to get along so we'll when
neither could understand a word the
other said; but as the days rolled by the
impetuous MILDLY pushed the siege, with
but little doubt in my mind as to the ulti-
mate result.
Il was stretching over for the Tortugas
bank that you all see looming up abeam
when one of tho crew at work on the fore
topsail yard reported sail in sight broad
OF the beam.
''Now. a sail in those days meant
danger, and q reasonable expenditure of
caution at least became necessary. as
nine times out Of ten the stranger would
prove to be a pirate. | at once slung
my glass over my shoulder. jumped into
the fore rigging, and ran aloft for the
purpose of examining the fellow. Twas
there some time looking at the sail, that
was glistening in the distance, not much
larger than CULTS W$ng.
The wind was light and variable.