Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-06-29
BLACKBOARD.

On bright April morning nearly two
Centuries ago. some unusual event
seemed exciting the people of Hamp-
ton, a small town in Virginia, near the
waters Of the Chesapeake Bay; men
were gathered in groups here and there
on the streets, excitedly discussing some
subject The largest of these groups
was at the door of the Kecoughtan and
all interest seemed centered upon the
utterances of a man in the garb of
fisherman, who appeared much excited,
aud was talking.
AS was tellin' yer" he continued,
as new conner approached, "we up
with the anker an headed fer York
River, whar we thought mebbe the fish
mout bite faster; it was bout three
hours by sun, but as the wind was pretty
fair thought we mout ketch a good
cuance of fish an go home by time the
moon riz We was sailin' long fust
rate, when all at onct sez Tom, sez he,
look at that thar schooner? She's
goin' to run right over us ! bounced
up. an shore enough, right jam on top
OF us was big black schooner with all
sails set, comm like race hoss, an
hull lot of men on her decks"
A murmur of horror arose from the
listening crowd.
Thar was no time to do nothin', so
we jest sot thar an waited. Jest as we
thought she was bout to hit us, she
come about an went past like a shot.
As she flew by we seed that the men all
had swords on, an some guns It's old
Blackboard, Zack, said Tom, rather soft
like, an shore enough thar was the old
pirit at the tiller; but they didn't pay no
at 'nshun to us, an tell yer we felt bet.
ter. We then seed that the pirit had
run up black flag, an was maxim fer
little sloop bout half mile off that
looked like she was tryin' to git away;
but twan't no manner of use, fer in
little while the pirit was on her; there
was some shots, a heap of smoke, some
hollerin', an scream that sounded like
woman's, an then all was still. "
A womanl Heaven help herp cried
some one with groan.
I'VE hadn't noticed whar we was goin'
arter we sighted the pirit right on us,
the fisherman resumed, "an' found that
we were real close to the boats; but
when we heerd that woman's cry, Tom
an me grabbed the paddles an started
fer the boat; but it had gotten right
dark, an we. couldn't see nothin' but
the white sails ahead, an in a little
while they was gone. We then headed
fer light on the shore, landed at Jim
Forests, whar we stayed awhile, an
then footed it hyar, bout Is miles, /
reckon.
Zack, did that sloop look anything
like my little Queensp eagerly inquired
a young man with pale face, who had
pressed through the crowd in time to
hear of the capture.
"Sence you come to menshun il, Cap
Heyman, it did seem as if thar was
somethin' familiar like bout that thar
sloop; but we was fur off at fust, an
couldn't see her good, when we was
close, as it was too dark, answered
Zack. "Whar is the Queen2"
God knowsl" groaned the young
man, as he made his way through the
crowd that parted respectfully for his
passage.
1t was Then reported around that
Colonel Archer, of Williamsburg, and
his daughter Mary, who were visiting
in town, had started out on a fishing
trip on the day before in the Queen,
with black Tom and Jody as crew, and
Frank Archer, the colonel's nephew.
Mary Archer was an exceedingly pretty
girl, and had been engaged for some
time to Peter Heyman, collector Of GUS
toms for the district, the marriage be-
ing set TO take place in the early fall;
he had intended being one of the fishing
party Of the day before, but important
business at the last moment detained
him. The young man was almost crazed
by the news, but at once sent mes
senger to the governor general at Will
iamsburg with the intelligence.
Later in the day it was reported that
a body had been seen floating near the
shore in the bay near the sand hills; at
once large number of the male popu.
lation of the town proceeded to the
beach. The body was found to be that
of Colonel Archer; his head had been al
most severed from his body by the blow
of cutlass. Soon after the body Of
black Tom was found, fearfully gashed,
and with several bullet holes in his head.
The search was continued till the sun
was nearly down, with no further sue
cess. Hopes began to be entertained
that perhaps youth and beauty had
stayed the hand Of the murderous pirate.
Suddenly shot far up the beach an
nounced a new discovery, and called the
entire party 70 the spot There, float
ing near the shore. dashed hither and
thither by the waves, and with the sea
grass in her dark hair, was the body of
the unfortunate girl; her hands were
elasped as IL in entreaty, and on her face
was look OF agonized pleading.
With cry Of anguish Heyman dashed
into the water. gathered the loved form
closely in his arms, bore it ashore, and
laid it tenderly on the grass; then he
knelt down beside il with such look OF
agony on his face as could come only
from heart breaking with grief. Upon
investigation IL was found that she had
received bullet In her heart, and must
have died almost instantly.