The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1899-12-09

SdIdIIlDd. w HIT lIioOlIIlNC. 1ASSC
words were uttered by lovely woman,
whose flushed cheek, flashing eye and
knitted brow spoke even more than
words of the indignation which filled
her heart.
She was the young wife of Commo-
dore Cordova, the commander of the
small navy of Montevideo. The lady
was Spanish by birth as well as in feel
ing, and the cause of her anger was the
sight of a ship which for two days had
been standing off and on before the har-
Dor, using every signal of insult and de-
fiance to induce the vessel of Cordova
to come out and fight him. This the
latter could not do, for two reasons.
The first was illness, which confined
him to his cot; the second, that he had
not one-third of a crew, not even men
enough to work his battery
At the moment when she uttered the
words mentioned above Seville, the
commander of the enemy's ship, had
hoisted flag at his gait, wherein was
embroidered in large. legible letters the
inscription: "Cordova, the Coward!'
This was more than the noble, fiery
wife could stand, for she well knew
her husbands truth and valor After
gazing an instant at the flag she raised
her jeweled hand and, taking from it
diamond of great value, she cried to the
officers and men who stood around her
on deck:
Il will give this diamond to any man
who will bring me yonder flag
For a moment there was no response.
The men looked at their officers, the
officers glanced at one. another, but
volunteers for a service so desperate
seemed scarce.
What Is there not one of all of you
who dare the trial? Is my husbands
ship, indeed, manned with cowards?"
exclaimed the lady, while her beautiful
lip curled with scorn and her feshing
eye cleaned with the fire of contempt.
|. A young officer, an American, who
had been lately appointed, stepped for
ward and modestly said:
Il was only waiting for my seniors to
speak, sonora Had any of them vol
unteered 1 shauld have begged to ac-
company him. AS it is, I pledge MYSELF
to bring you yorder flag before the sun
rises again or 10 die! But l ask not your
jewel as a prize for my success; ono
tress of your glossy hair shall be my
reward
You shall have BOTH brave boy" re-
piled the lady, and her cold look of
scorn changed into a sweet smile as
she asked his name.
1T is Harry Allen, sonora, - replied
Tic yOdllS NleAiI DlIoillIl5 DGIlSdlu 1SI
earnest gaze.
He was slim, but well formed: looked
very young, but in his dark blue eye
and compressed lip an observer could
read one whose manhood was not made
by years alone.
The sun was setting behind a dark
bank of slowly rising Clouds which
threatened darkness and storm.
The moment that his services were
crew, and as he glanced among them,
said:
II want six men to man the whale
boat which hangs at the after davitsl"
Encouraged by his gallantry, nearly
one-haf the crew started forward. Now
that they had leader, volunteers were
plenty. Allen glanced his eyes over
them, and in a. few moments chose six
by name. men whom he knew to be
both daring and firm. They were all
Americans.
Sharpen your cutlasses," said he. Il
shall not have a musket or q pistol in
the boat If we fight, it must besteel
to steel, and breast to breast; for we
succeed or der
A look was the only answer from his
chosen crew. They were of that class of
oarsmen whose motto is deeds, not
words" They hurried below to obey
lis VI QCl =, NAlilG SILL OlIeIc DIOCG6uGQ
by his direction to mufJle the oars of
the boat, to place sails. water, etc,
! in 1t.
Half an hour later the sky was COW
cred with clouds, and darkness had set
in. Allen had been careful to take the
compass course of the enemv's ship
when the last light of the dying day
gave opportunity, and by this alone
he had hoped to find her All this time
oh J, 11.I- ;,,o nv
the pinnacle light. regarding the prep
arations of the little party. who were
about to shove off. At the moment
when the boats crew cried out that all
was ready to start, their young leader
went aft Of the sonora" and, taking
from his neck miniature, he handed it
and a letter to her saying:
IF am not on board at sunrise
lacy, please send this miniature to the
direction of the letter F"
The lady looked at the picture. Tt
was the likeness of a young and beau
tiful girl. tear filled the 'senoras
e.-e.
You need not 60" said she. mo: YOU
love, Derchance. are Beloved Your life
is precious. l will not expose it. This
is
MY My sister, whom I almost
adore" interrupted the youth, "but one
who would seorn me if I played the
coward or Gfshonored my name. Send
that letter and likeness to her if I fail.
Farewell till tomorrow-or forever"
The lady was about to answer. and
again to entreat him to stay, but ere
she could speak ne was over hte bull
warks, and the boat had showed off.
The night was pitchy dark. A calm
was on the sea and in the air. but it
was portentious of a storm. A small
pinnacle light and compass had been
placed in the beat, and by these Harry
shaped his course, himself taking the
tiller and steering.
Give way cheerily, menl A long.
strong and steady pull!" said he. in a
low tone, as he left the ships side. And
he soon felt, by the trembling of the
frail craft, that his directions were
obeved.
Out right into the offing he pulled,