The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-05-17


The lugger is again anchored in the
quiet cove, and all hands are piped to
witness punishment. The traitor who
had betrayed the ship had confessed his
guilt, and the price of his treachery was
found upon his person The crew were
at their stations, all save six seamen
chosen by lot. who stood apart from
their companions with downcast eyes
and trembling forms, for they were the
agents through whom fellow creature
was to be launched, in cold blood, into
eternity. These hearts of oak that few
hours since stood fearlessly at their guns
dealing death and destruction around,
and with blood flowing like water at
their feet, now trembled! A strange
quiet reigned throughout the ship, even
the wounded seamen below had sup
pressed their groans, and the tick of the
captains watch could be heard at any
part of the quarter deck. The miserable
man who was now to suffer stood upon
a gun, his arms confined behind him and
a rope around his neck-the cord was
rove through block at the extreme end
of the yard arm and reaching down again
to the deck, the opposite extremity was
placed in the hands of the six chosen by
lot Contemplating this arrangement for
moment the captain said:
'Why, men, next to mutiny, know
of no blacker or more accused sin than
treachery; that man has betrayed us
may heaven forgive him, as do at this
moment he was seduced from his duty
in an evil hour while under the effects of
liquor-he is now penitent, and you see
how bravely he will die-you have had
related to you the peculiarities of his
case, which, think, has many extenuat-
ing points-you are his jurors; shall he
die? Shall we send your old messmate
into eternity? Speak, my men,"
"No! no! and if the captain forgives
him, that's enough" said the generous
hearted crew.
'Blow me-" said the old seaman who
has before spoken in this story, IF l
don't think a man who could betray
such commander and such ship must
find punishment enough in overhauling
the log of his own conscience, without
sending him to soundings."
The feelings of the criminal, for he is a
criminal who betrays those who have
confided in him, may be better imagined
than described. He left the gun an
altered man. He was forgiven his sim
Well knowing that the boldness of this
last adventure with cruiser of the
royal navy would draw down certain
destruction upon them, the captain and
crew of the lugger ran her into French
port, where she was sold and the pro-
ceeds equally divided among the crew
and officers, who were thenceforth dis
banded
Let us follow for a moment, gentle
reader, the life of this captain of the
Dolphin, this smuggler of the Isle of
Man.
Still actuated by love of adventure
and fondness for the sea, he proceeded
to London. where he was soon int1usted
with large mercna1I vesseI n tire West
India trade, as captain. In which capacity
ne led 2 lucrative and adventurous life
for several years, Subsequent to Which he
visited and settled in America On the
breaking out of the war with the mother
country, his ardent love for the principle
for which our fathers contended led him
to offer his services in behalf of liberty.
He was appointed captain of noble
vessel, the first of the American navy,
and his was the hand that raised first
her flag upon the blue water. With this
vessel and others with which he was
subsequently intrusted, he gained some
of the most brilliant naval victories ever
won. Through his whole service there
was one faithful follower, who never left
him, and whose protecting arm twice
saved his life in the memorable battle
between the Bon Homme Richard and
the Scraps, the former of which he COM
manded. Reader, that follower was the
pardoned criminal of the Dolphin lugger!
Would you follow this commander
still further? Congress passed a public
vote Of thanks to him for his gallant SER
vices, endowing him with the highest
rank in the American navy, Which TO
this day is embalmed in the grateful
hearts of a free people. -Boston Globe.