The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-02-15

1
Without another word the men sprang
on deck and skipped aboard the schoon-
err, which Immediately sheered off and
strained every effort to escape the fri
gate.
Struggling to his feet, Dick stag
| gered below, and was enraptured to
find his precious store of gold just as he
had left it in his bunk. 1t had not been
touched. He soon ascertained, also.
that he was the only living person left
ON board. The bodies of his shipmates
and OF the dead pirates strewed the
deck, as well as goods dragged from the
matches. The hull and rigging were
also torn by the broadsides of the
enemy.
But his attention was soon called to
the rapid firing, which showed that the
frigate was closing with the schooner.
The combat was fierce but short. The
pirates were greatly oyermatched, and.
finding further resistance useless. low
cred their black flag. The frigate sent
an officer and boats crew to take pos
session. Scarcely had they reached the
schooner when her captain touched
match to the magazine. The vessel
blew up with an appalling explosion
that hurled scores ofsouls into eternity.
After picking up the few survivors
the cruiser squared away for the brig.
and sent off a boat to render such rs.
sIsstance as might be required. Find
ing her leaking and otherwise badly
damaged. the British captain ordered
her to be set on fire.
Dick was taken to the frigate with
his sea chest, in which he had aireadv
carefully slowed his Bible box and it's
treasure. Two days after these stir
ring events an American vessel was
sighted bearing northward. Dick was
transferred TO herand in due time sailed
INTO Boston harbor. There he took pas-
sage on a schooner bound to Maine.
The CONSERVATION of the people when
he reached home and told his story NAV
well be imagined, for the captain and
most of the crew of the Guiding Star
hailed from that neighborhood. Susan
was one of the few who met Dick with.
rejoicing.
Wen, suppose you lost everything ?,
she said to her lover, after the first
greeting was over.
Il guess lost some dunnage: but I
managed to save the box you gave me-"
he answered, with a twinkle i'm his eve
III bring it around and show you how
well l kept it,"
susan was SO gratified by such a
touching evidence of Dicks affection
that she had to give him another kiss
The next time he called to see his
Susan Dick took the box with him: but
when she reached out her hand to take
it she was surprised to find how heavy
it had grown.
For the land sake, Dick, what in the
world have you got in it?" she ex-
lust let me show you. Put it square
on your knee; there, that's right; now
et me open it." he said.
When she saw the pile of yellow. shin
ing doubloons, glittering like the sun
light in the tropics, Susan almost fell |
back in faint. She had never seen so |
much gold before in all her life. To |
ler 1T seemed large fortune.
Yes, Susie, darling, that's all ours.
Ihem's the profits made on my vcntur'.
Them pirates didn't see it, or leastways.
.iey didn't suspicion what was in that
re Bible. lying so inherent like in nv
bunk. 1T all belongs to you, sweet
ieart; for if it hadn't been for that ere
'ox you gave me our hopes would have
rome by the board. llyou've got to do
low is to name the day and we'll get
married.. Next wye I'm going master
Il the new schooner that's to be
aunched tomorrow. We are going to
ame her the Gentle Susan and YOU
h2ll be my mate'.-N Y Indanaraa.4 |