The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-06-22
Written for The Prison MlrrOr.
PART III.
Vol. XII.-No. 48.


On the morning of the third day in
the Caribbean, the Flying Spray ran
out through the channel between the
British islands of Tabago and Trinidad,
into the Atlantic. AS the expedition
neared the equator, the heat had be-
came very oppressive, especially at
night. All hands had deserted the
cabins and were now sleeping on deck,
where they had slung their hammocks
under the awning. The crew also had
forsaken the fo'castle, or "glory hole"
and taken up their quarters in the bow.
The cook served all meals on the quar-
ter-deck, which now became the living
and sleeping quarters of the captain
and the Privateers.
Bill, who had never been known to
be of taciturn disposition, had for the
last two days been keeping remarkably
silent. He had seemed to have lost all
his enthusiasm in passing events, and
even in the future, for during the past
48 hours he had not made a single ad.
dition to the magnificent air castle he
had been industriously building since
he left Boston. The others knew there
must be reason for this strange be-.
havior, and they waited impatiently for
developments. Finally the truth came
out. 1t was startling proposition,
that Bill made next day. He had been
a close observer of events transpiring
in France, because of his French ex-
traction, and was deeply interested in
the fate of Capt. Dreyfus, who had been
banished to Devils Island, just off the
coast of French Guiana. Bill argued
that as subjects of free country, where
liberty is the keystone of every in
stitutional arch, where oppression is
unknown, and where every form of
monarchial tyranny, even though prac-
ticed under the guise of democracy, is
frowned upon, they had the right and
now the opportunity to spread this
gospel.
The Guiana coast was now but DAYS
sail away. Bills plan, in which he in
vited the cooperation of all on board,
was to make a night run for Devils
Island, surprise the guards and carry
away the noted prisoner, Capt. Dreyfus.
It was bold scheme and it's object
entirely laudable, but the combined in
terests of Capt. Marsh and the Priv
ateers did not seem to warrant such
hazardous work. And though Bill was
given respectful hearing and closely
questioned upon all matters of detail,
his plan was voted down. Jim was not
inclined to take Bill seriously. He ac-
cused him of having Over-fed on
literature that crowned as heroes such
men as Capt. Drake and his English
swash-bucklers or the pirates and buc~
cancers that in times past had infested
the Spanish Main, through which they
had just passed. Bill in reply said, that
were it not for his fear of sharks, he
would swim off and do the business
himself, but under the circumstances
he would now resume his former occu-
patton of erecting air castles.
The run from Trinidad to the Para
River occupied four days; during a
part of which time the Flying Spray
closely skirted the Guiana coast. The
breezes that blew offland were heavily
ladened with aroma from the great
spice plantations, that are here so sue
cessfully operated. The thick tropical
growths, studded with royal palms that
lifted their proud heads high above the
surrounding vegetation, fringing the
coast line, was a feature of more than
passing interest to the Privateers, none
of whom had before visited this part of
the world.
River, the suggestion of p lot was dis.