Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-12-09

pass round 10 another pigeon mole on
the other side | could talk with the
prisoner without being observed.
was not slow to take the hint; and after
a shake of the hand, Tom told me his
sad story. peeping through the littlS
loop like a postofiice clerk.
He had. it seems. waited and search
In vain for me after he got over his
revel until he was satisfied that must
have gone to sea in the ship, when he
took charge Of the two stocks Of cloth
ing, which were transferred to Scotch
Jocks hands for liquor and board.
"A few days were sufficient to wear
out his welcome there.
He was forced after all. to ship in
the Tres Amigos, man-of-war, and the
landlord got the liens share of the ad-
vance dOubloon.
Tom was soon convinced that the
Peruvian naval service was not what il
had been described: and he as well az
several ether English adyenturers. " re
heartily SICK of their bargain, and de-
termined to back out of it at the first
opportunity.
so, having been sent inshore on
some sort of spy service, under the
command Of young MILDLY, they took
charge of the boat themselves, put the
officer on the beach. and started down
the coast to leeward.
After many strange adventures and
dreadful sufferings they landed at the
Galapagos Islands, and, as might be
expected. they soon became scattered,
joining different ships. Tom had been
in half a dozen vessels during a years
time; and, feeling quite safe, had come
ashore in Payta, a few days before,
from coasting craft in which he was
employed. lie had hardly landed when
he was recognized by one Of the former
officers Of the man-of-war. He was ar
rested and tried by a hasty court-mar-
tial. where the little MILDLY himself was
brought forward, and, glad enough for
this chance for revenge, swore 10 Toms
identity.
He was at once found guilty Of hay
ing mutined, deposed his superior Off
Ger. laid violent hands upon him, and
turned him ashore in a hostile terri
tory. He was sentenced to death.
Next Monday said he, I am to be
led ont at sunrise, stood up in thet cor
ner there at the angle Of the wall, and
shot by platoon of hese Cholo scare
crows.
you may imagine hoU l congratu-
lated myself that l mad been 80 sudden
ly led to think better Of cue mad scheme
anu to return 70 my duy on board the
Marion. But what could I say to com
fort my misguided shi1nato' In three
DAYS. for it was then Friday morning,
he would be put to death; there was
no hope of pardon or reprieye.
But the second mate, after hearing
my story, entered into the thing heart
ana soul. It was too bad 10 seen an old
shipmate made a target Of in that man
ner. he said. by a crowd Of human mon
KEYS. like these Choos; and by little
management and a few dollars used in
bribes. he thought he might save Tom
from his fate and run him off the beach.
He went ashore with me the same even
ing. and We managed another interview
with the prisoner at his pigeon-hole,
and cheered him up with a hope Of de-
nverance. giving him some idea. too,
Of our plan Of affecting IT, that lie
might be prepared to act in co-opera-
ton.
we smuggled a coil Of rope ashore
on Sunday, and concealed IL in pile
of rubbish. convenient to the place
where il was to be used. We were
stirring early On the morning appoint
cd for the execution, and landed with
a picked crew before daylight. No par
ticular notice was taken OF our move
ments. as We were supposed to have
been impelled by a natural curiosity
10 see the man shot: and we mingled
with the other spectators without sus-
picion. keeping always near each other,
| however. and ready 10 communicate oy
signals previously agreed upon.
we saw Tom led forth from the
guardhouse by file Of the soldiers, and
marched across the yard to the place Of
execution. Here he stood up like man
who had nerved himself to meet his
death without hinching; and, as ne
braced himself against the mud wall IN
the corner. his calmness extorted ad-
miration from his jailers.
! inn
execution 10 take place; but, with a re-
dnement of cruelty worthy of Peruvi-
ans. he had Deen brought out and led
to his post an hour before that time.
"This circumstance, however, was IA
vorable for our project. as 1t was now
inst on the gray Of the morning, be-
tween daybreak and full daylight.
THE Cholo officer ana his file Of men
withdrew TO the other side Of the yard.
after having a GER having set poor Tom
after having set poor Tom up for tar
oct as one might say. rhe firing party
had not yet come on the ground and
now was our time.
"The wall at the angle where the
condemned man stood was about nine
feet high. so that his guards had no
fear of his being able to climb 1t, when
thew fell back and left him there but
thev little dreamed what was going on
the other side OF 1t. We were able tc
communicate in low tones through q
chink or crack, and Tom, watching a
favorable opportunity, gave the word
in whisper, Now.
"At the signal, the rope, with bow
line knot of suitable size ready tied at
the end. was tossed silently over the
wall. In the dusky morning twilight,
mis- operation could not be seen by the
soldiers, or by the spectators who had
gathered on the opposite side Of the
inclosure. Tom, whose hands had beer
left free, In Difference to his own re-
quest, and sheer admiration Of his sup
posed courage to meet his fate like
hero, slipped the bow line down ove
his body, and placing himself as In
'boatswain's cnair,' he gave the sigma
by a slight jerk.