Passaic City record., 1898-07-23
Spanish Pirates
On the Passaic.
Continued from first page.

Such was the stage of Fernando
Torrellc's character and fame
when he heard the young adven-
turer speak of pretty Margaret
Van Drauss, of Acquackanonk,
and in the shadow of night, with
his hand upon his rapier. he swore
to steal the maiden, and death to
him who attempted to foil him in
his efforts.
Early one April morning, ten
days later, a majestic vessel might
have been seen vending its way
up the Passaic. Ere the sun had
rose half way to the zenith 1t
reached Acquackanonk, and
dropped anchor in mid-stream.
No other vessel was in the river
and the land was thronged with
people all eager to welcome the
new corners ashore. But whisper
went round, "Who can they be,
surely this ship is not a SLAYER, it
is far too elegant for tina" Con-
spicuous among the spectators
were Andrew Van Drauss and
Margaret, VINO, simply dressed and
beautiful, joined with the rest in
endeavorin9 to solve the mystery
surrounding the visitors. Presently
boat was lowered from the ships
side and quickly filled with able
bodied oarsmen. At the bow
stood a man with rapier at his
side. He was handsome almost
beyond telling, and might easily
have been taken tor prince or
any one else than Fernando
Torrello, the villain he was When
Margaret beheld him, a sigh passed
her lips, and she blushed, for she
had never seen such manly form
and noble looking face before.
AS the boat touched the landing
Torrello leaped ashore, and with
all the chivalrous grace known to
high-born Castilian, bowed to
his eager hosts. He was quickly
Joined by the crew, who soon
mingled with the crowd and all
was clamor and excitement. The
young pirate king, although merry
as the rest, was eagerly engaged
in scanning every feminine face,
but he beheld none that answered
the description he had heard of
Margaret in the San Domingo
saloon. A cloud of anger ana
disappointment swept over his
face when the thought entered
his mind that it was ali fine
woven tale, untrue, and his long
voyage was to prove fntile, his
hopes belied. Aside from the
rest however, was group of half
a dozen men and women who had
Withdrawn apparently for, the
purpose of consultation, and, as
last resort, Torrello approached
them. They beheld him coming
and turned to receive him. Again
he made a courteous bow and
when he raised his head his eyes
met those of Margaret Van Drauss.
Her cheeks turned crimson, her
lashes fell and ere her father and
the company had fully realized
the situation, the chivalrous
Torrello had lifted the chubby
hand to his lips, and in true Spanish
style impressed thereon kiss.
'Audacious villaint' cried Andrew
Van Drauss. when he beheld the
act, and instantly he had drawn
his Dutch blade; but the agile
Spaniard was too quick for him,
and before it had descended, his
own keen-edged rapier had run
him through the heart, and he
fell dead before his daughters
eyes. Simultaneous with the act
a cry went round, murder MUIR
der! Andrew Van Drauss is smur-
dered." But before the simple in
habitants could draw their wea-
pons, a quick movement by Ter
relic interpreted his wish, and
score of Spanish daggers cleaned
in the morning sunlight; black
flag was hoisted on board the ship.
and hundred towing pieces were
leveled from its sides. The popu-
lance stood awestuck and mute,
except poor Margaret, who,
having tainted at the bloody muir
der of her father, was being con-
veyed to the boat. The act was
c,,,ictz1yy done. 4hA Creu 1aane6 in