Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-02-28
TAzEWELL c. H., VA. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY %. $780,

NOW, GOu nclp Tue, cried the brave
woman. "to steer Alright, aud save my
noble Will"
With firm hands she worked the helm;
with steady eyes she watched the ships
head, to see that it did not swervc; and
rs the craft went roaring on through the
white foam toward the space between the
pirate vessels by means of which she
hoped to escape her enemies glsam of
joy lighted her face. A fine type of
womanly courage and fortitudc was She
standing. there with her beautiful chest
nut trcsses blown out from her head like
strcamers, and not a trcmor shaking her
slender figure, although the shot whizzcd
and whirrcd and screamed all about her,
some Of them even grazing her hair
ln that moment she needed not the
flying shot-thought nothing of her own
peril; but her eyes were brighter than the
flashing death CLEANS that lighted the fog
all around her, for every thought, with
the whole strength of her soul, was con-
ccntratcd on that one idca-that one un-
shaken resolution to save the life of her
wounded husband
On went the ship, and nj last she passed
through the open space between the
pirate vessels, thus leaving the latter in
pursuit astern. Two of them, as stated,
were crippled, but the others gained on
the Columbia, until, by keeping off
little, Charlotte managed to maintain her
distance from them. Thus pursucrs and
pursued had proceeded a league, when
all at once the young woman bcheld n
dark objcct-somc kind of craft-ahcad
Of her. Her heart sank Was il posi-
bic that one of the private vessels had
contrived to double on her in the fog?
A moment later she saw the lofty masts
of the vessel looming up; then she saw
open port-holcs-a double row-with tho
muzzlcs of the guns showing through
them, and she bchcld a marine, with
muskct at Il support, walking the gang
wayl
A cry Of JOY escaped her, for the vessel
was n man. of-war, and her husband was
saved!
"Plcasc to put your wheel hard down."
sang out an officer from the vessels quar-
tcrdcck; and Charlotte promptly did rs
requested.
The ship was swung into the wind, and
Il cutter, containing 4 surgeon aud crew,
with the scamcn who had deserted the
Columbia, and were aftcrward picked up
by this sloop-of war, came alongside.
Charlotte was relieved at the wheel, and
the surgeon accompanied her into tho
cabin.
VIII fccbly raised his head.
"Wc arc not captured, thcn?" he said
to his wife.
"No. Ihavc saved youw she answered.
81 stccrcd away from the pirates, and
now we arc close to the man-of- war.
learn it is the same one you spoke of,
which was lately at the Bermudas"
The wnr-craft now chased the pirates,
and the latter contrivcd to escape i'll the
fog. Meanwhile the crew which had been
sent to the Columbia proceeded to repair
her damaged forcmast, and she was soon
IN proper condition to keep up with the
sloop- of-war, which was headed for the
port of Havana, Cuba, where both vessels
arrived week later
Under the surgeons slIillful treatment
and that of the Captains wife, the young
man, in fortnight, was able to leave tho
cabin, after which he shipped new
crew, procured his cargo, and eventually
took it home.
The brave conduct of his wife, whose
character he had so misiudged, strength
cncd his love and esteem for her, and he
now knew that woman who shuddcrs
at the very thought of peril may show
the utmost courage aud fortitudc when
that peril really confronts her.
Not only had the noble behavior Of
his fair partner saved her husbands life,
but it also influenced the shipping firm,
grateful for the preservation of their ves-
sel-to allow Will a more liberal share
of profits, thus enabling him, in few
I'ycars, to purchase the Columbia, the
name of which, in honor of his wife, he
changed to the Charlotte. Ledger.