Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-12-20

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stand no nonsense, know"
"All right, sir. cried the Lieutenant, a
active, somewhat imperious officer, of tn
, civis romsnus sum type. He had been un
usually disguised at his commanders de
cision to leave the Black Swan withou
searching her; and he was delighted that
, more active policy had been begun.
say, Brabazon," whispered the com
mander to him, as he was going over tn
side, you know I'm stepping bit be
yond bounds; and I'm just little anxious
II she turns out to be SLAYER, as we sus
pect, step to the taffrail and wave you
handkerchief will your
Il will, sir; I'm certain it will be al
right" cheerfully responded the First Lieu
tenant.
a tall, slim, youngish man, dressed il
white linen, received the British officer, a
he set foot on the deck of the Black Swan
i am at present in command of thi
craft, sir," said the young American. 9Th,
skipper is not fit for service just at present
We had visit from you two days ago,
think. Can ! do anything for your"
es. | want you to take off your
matches" said the Lieutenant sharply.
well, sir, began the Yankee, Il CUES.
your demand is beyond your treaty pow.
ers."
Il know all about that. 1 must have
the matches off,
And you are OBTAINING me and over.
hauling my cargo on no grounds what
| ever -"
will you do it at once ?'' broke in the
| British officer.
Il repeat, on no grounds whatever, will
cause an in-ter-ns-tional difficulty and
may bring remarkably unpleasant con-
| sequences TO your Captain. Now
''Ot with VOUr hafchaS ~ criad ha ;n,,
| tenant
"Sir ?"~
IF you don't, by George, will !"
sir?"
Il do"
And you know the risk yon run ?"
II do. No more palaver. OF with them
at once, or I'll break them open"
Further resistance was uaeless. The
thing was done; and the moment the first
hatch was raised the sickenine effuyium
that issued from the hold proclaimed the
truth. Nearly 300 slaves were packed be.
tween decks, many of the poor creatures
standing so close that they could not lie
down.
With look of speechless contempt at
the young mate of the schooner, the Lieu.
tenant walked to the side of The ship and
raised his handkerchief. That instant
loud British cheer rang over the water,
given py the blue-jackets, who could be
seen clustering in the rigging like bees.
II told our skipper judgment would over
take u.s." said the Yankee. .Say, mister.
he added in another tone, seeing that the
games up, suppose we have glass of iced
champagne down stairs 2"
The Lieutenant hesitated. To drink
with the mate of SLAYER But-iced
champagne
Slowly he moved toward the companion
way. Il don't mind if do" said he at
length; and you may as we'll bring up
your papers with the drinks, for | shall
carry them on board the Petrol OF course
you understand that you are my prize"
And having set guard at the hatch
ways the Lieutenant descended the cabin
stairs.
The iced champagne was duly forthcom-
ing, and under its genial influence Lieuten-
ant Brabazon began to feel something like
pity for the young man who had been go
early seduced into the paths of crime
Probably he had mother or a sweetheart
somewhere in the States, who imagined
that he was already on his way home,
whereas now his character was ruined,
even If he escaped long term of impris-
onment.
This feeling was strengthened as he saw
that his companion was gazing mournfully
at bis glass without speaking word At
length the young man lifted his head.
Say, mister, whatll they do to me,
think ?'
81 can't tell. Of course, you know that
what you have been engaged in is a kind
OF piracy ?"
II believe so. Cargo and crew are con-
tiscated, of course What they'll do with
you l can't tell"
They won't hang me, will they?n
Probably not, said the Lieutenant, ''but
let this De warning to you. You see
what it is to wander off the straight course
and banker after forbidden gains. Lead
an honest life in future, when you are re-
leased from custody. Avoid vicious COM
panions- But what's this?" he cried,
es his eye fell on al empty scaboard hang
ing on the wall. 1t looked very like a
United States service sword sea bbard and
Immediately the thought darted through
MS mind that this hypocritical young
Yankee (who had been pretending to wipe
away tear as he listened to the Lieuten-
ants good advice had been doing some
thing worse, or at least more heavily pun
ished, than running cargoes OF slaves.
The British officer looked round the cab
in. a United States Navy cap was lying |
on plush-covered bench.
"Ab! you've been having a brush with |
an American man-of-war!" cried Lieuten. |
ant Brabazon. you will have to tell nv |
superior officer how you came into posses.
sion of these articles. must place you un- |
der arrest" And. bitterly regretting that |
he had sat down to table with the fellow. |
the British officer rushed on deck.
"Quartermaster." he cried, "brine up a |
guard OF four men, and take this man.
pointing to the Yankee who had followed !
him on deck, ito the Petrol. If he tries to |
escape, shoot him at oncel''
The Quartermaster advanced to seize the |
but before he reached him he in
voluntarily stopped short. a roar of |
laughter sounded in his ears. The Amer.
can mate and his companions were shrek /
ing and staggering about the deck even
the crew OF the SLAYER were, every man
Jack of them, grinning from ear to ear.
The Lieutenant was dumbfounded.
Excuse me, sir, bat the Joke was too
good, said the Yankee, coming forward
and holding out his hand Il am the
First Lieutenant Of the United States war
ship Georgia, in command of prize crew
on board this vessel, taking her to - to
have her condemned. We seized her YES
terday. Hearing that you had been on
visit to her the day before, and had gone
away without doing anything, l couldn't
resist the temptation of taking you in.
Hope you don't bear malice? Let's finish
hat magnum of champagne"
1t was evidently the best thing to be
lone, but the Lieutenant was not a first
rate companion on that occasion.
Give my respects to your commander"
called out the United States officer as his
guest went down into his boat, 'and ad-
rise him from me not to be SO jolly partic.
liar another time. And I'll try to take
your kind advice and sail straight course
n future y he cried, as her Majesty's boat
hot away for the last time from the side of
he Black Swan orahiA Magazine for De.
ember.
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