The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-06-30

|
The brig was not provided with
staterooms for passengers, 50 the
apartment occupied by Narcisaus CON
sisted onl y of an old sail drared
around the place tween decks where
his hammock was swung. This can
vas Ee could see over, aud this is
what took place. The feeble glimmer
of ships lantern served to illumine
the place without, and its rays fe |
upon the showlnan's loxes, which
were lashed up against the vessels
side. Emerging from the darkness
Narclssus saw the figure Of the burly
Snowman.
"Ihe base hind"' thought he, "al-
ways anxious for his business. Here
he IS examining his figure, when lie
might be watching the stars in yon
azure vault
Narcissus paused in his poetical
flight. His eyes opened widely; be
almost ceased to breathe. For the
Snowman, after carefully glancing
around him, had opened one of the
boxes. and man stepped out. The
newcomer exchanged whispered
word with the Snowman, and began to
shake his numb and rigid limbs.
"This is indeed romantic, muttere
Narcissus. But he felt cold seusa-
ton creeping up his back.
The Snowman continued his task Of
opening the boxes One by one the
wax figures stepped forth, shook them
selves and felt their joints. When the
last box was opened, there were six
Of them, besides the Snowman. Each
man drew out pistols and knives,
looked to the locks. and replaced the
weapons in convenient positions.
SWELL" thought Narcissus, "that
is the most wicked-lookinS gang Of
cut-throats | ever set eyes on. This
is altogether too romantic. l wish |
was home"
But his thoughts were interrupted
by the sound of the showman's voice:
"All ready" said he, in a hoarse
whisper.
"All ready" was the whispered re-
ply.
Then, here we go!"
With cat-like tread they stole away
in the darkness.
Narcissus would have called out:
his tongue Glove to the roof Of his
mouth. He would have risen; his
head seemed glued to his pillow. A
cold perspiration broke out upon him.
He had realized the fact that the
Snowman and his comrades were pi-
rates.
The minutes passed on. They
seemed hours to him. Then he heard
all outcry; the trampling of feet on the
deck over his head; the short bark of
pistols, muttered curses, groans; then
there was a wild yell Of triumph; the
sound of conversation; then he heard
at Intervals the sound of heavy bodies
dropping into the water-''S Splash.
Splash! Splash"
1t was altogether too romantic. Mar
cissus tainted away
When lie came to his senses he had
experienced a complete revulson of
feeling. The ocean to him was dis
tasteful. He was enamored of green
fields and babb!ing brooks He would
have exchanged the Atlantic ocean for
the smallest brook that ever ran. His
fevered fancy carried him to the
meadows around his native city,. he
thought of the flowers there; of THE
smiling grain and
''Boomn'
What was that? It sounded like u
cannot shot.
There was Il cracking sound. The
side of the vessel seemed to he burst
ing in. The planks and splinters flew,
and from the midst there emerged
round shot-a Jolly, pudgy round
shot, which came wildly skipping along
tie deck toward him. AS it neared
him it made a final bound, and i'm
bedded itself in tho wood right over
his head.
Again Narcissus lost his senses. He
liked romance, but he was getting too
much Of it at one time.
When Narcissus recovered q. con-
sciousness he found himself living
upon the deck of the brig. There
were irons upon his hands, irons upon
his feet On either side of him
sluatted swarthy sailor, each with
Il cutlass, and each watching him with
the most tiattering attention.
Narcissus turned his head. Behind
him lay his friend, the Snowman, in
the same predicament as himself
Ranged i'll symmetrical rows lay the
comrades Of the Snowman, all ironed
and guarded. Lying near the brig
was large man of-war with the Span
ish flag flying.
Sir" said Narcissus, addressing
the Snowman, "can you tell me what
all this means?"
Hallo!' was the reply, "why
there's the little landlubber. I'd for
got you completely. Certainly; I'll
take great pleasure in telling you all
about it. Do you see the yards of
that ship?'
''What are the yards?" asked Mar
cissus, gravely.
''Ha! ha! Well, you see those poles
that run across the masts?"
SSNo,