The age-herald., 1901-04-14

ing band of pirates that ever Infested the Mississippi. An Englishman named James culbert was the leader; his first lieutenant was Joseph Magilbray, who called himself a Welshman The party itself was composed of as precious a lot of renegade Frenchmen Spaniards Amer leans, Indians and negroes as ever re- mained unhung. Every man of them was a daredevil, who hesltated not at any kind of plumber or murder so long as there was the promise of ten livres in the job.
 As Beausoliel's barge neared the mouth of Cottonwood creek one of Culbert's men saw 1t. Preparations were made Tor an attack. but a strong breeze sent the heavy boat swiftly North, and 1t was soon hid behind Grand Tower
 Culbert swore impotently for an hour; then he and his band began a desperate march up the river, swimming creeks, wading through marshes clammertns over fallen logs, bent upon heading off the barge. and ever pushing forward with the energy that the hunter displays when there Is game to be killed.
 The second day out they caught sight of the barge again The wind had died down. and the crew was pulling heartily at the oars. hundred miles and they would be at the end of their up journey. There should be rest that night. and in four days more. or five at the most, St. Louis would be reached.
 Five miles up the river was the island which later came to be known as Beauso- liel's island It was plainly in sight of the crew and Beausoleil determined to tie up there for the night. The robbers guessed as much. and when the barge reached the island and the crew carried the lines to the shore and made them fast to tree trunks Culbert was opposite, on the mainland, gathering his forces for the stroke.
 Darkness brought the crew upon deck. A waning moon split the blackness of the eastern sky, but gave scarcely more light than did the glow of the busy pipes be- tween the lips of the lounging men. The singing and story telling and the drink ing began quietly enough; but ere long there was roar of voices that drowned even the chorus that filled the forest on mainland and island.
 Out of the small cabin room of M. Beau soleil came a young man. He was small of stature and slight of build, but there was the strength of giant and the agil- ity of panther in the limbs of that small body His face was light brown in color; his kinked hair further proclaimed him a negro.
 He was Casotte, slave and body servant of NJ Beausoleil, and cook for the barge crew
 Come, Casotte," called youth near the bow. "Come! Dance! See-I sing
 And he began 10 roll out rollicking song in which his comrades joined
 Casotte threw back his head and laugh ed. It was a peculiar laugh-loud, strong and penetrating. but wholly musical.
 No. no, monsieur. Casotte could not dance to that See"
 He made a few grotesque movements in time to the song that was being shouted.
 This is what it would be like should fot Gao fe hrtx I would dance"
 Capture of the Barge.
 His head was thrown back again, and the peculiar laugh burst forth. But this time it was different laugh. for all that 1t was the same one. It was dance tune,i ripling and rolling in perfect time for the steps that the negro's feet began now to take The bargemen sprang from their seats and crowded themselves in circle around Casotte Some began to beat time with their open palms.
 No one turned from the laughing dan cer; not even when a score of heads were thrust above the edges of the barge's deck, and a score of swarthy bodies were lifted upward by two score Of hardy hands.
 The first of the invaders to spring aboard was Culbert-tall. heavy and pow erful. His moccasined feet had no noise
  and the rhythmical clap of the brawny hands He stepped straight toward the closely drawn circle; behind him came his men, Each held a pistol, each carried a long. glittering knife in his belt
 Cuibert's heavy hand fell on the should CT of one of the spectators, and Culberts pistol barrel struck him sharply on the side of the face. The man gave cry Of pain and alarm. And Culberts pistol sent a bullet crashing through his brain
 There was a wild scramble. but 1t was in vain. Four of the bargemen were dead: the others bound hand and foot were lying helpless upon the deck. ith them was M. Beausoleil, bleeding gash in his forehead
 Casotte alone was untouched. He stood silently where he had been dancing. Come, pitch em into the hold,' cried Culbert. And the bound men were kicked and rolled and dragged along the deck to an open hatch and tumbled roughly through | It, one upon the other. Culbert turned to Casotte.
 What are you doing here?" he asked. In reply Casotte began to laugh his pe- culiar dance song, and his light feet De- gan again their dance.
 Fool niggeri scared out of his wits. grunted Culbert giving Casotte KICK that sent him across the deck.
 casotte's Stimulation of Joy. And still Casotte continued to laugh.
 What are you laughing at, you fool?' shouted Culbert.
 "I laugh because I am free! I dance! See! 1 sing.''
 And around and around he moved, his arms waving gayly, his open mouth shouting forth It's laughing melody.
 "I have belonged to M. Beausoleil,' shouted the negro "I cook for the dogs the beasts. He beats me. Now you have got him tied You will let me beat him. Then you cut his throat"
 Say, you are the cook?' interrupted Clubert
 "Yes monsieur; cook for the beasts the dogs you have put in the kennelo'
 And his laugh was a low, broad, far reaching guffaw.
 "What's your name?" asked Culbert.
 "Casotte," answered the negro.
 Well, Casotte. stop your internal laughing and get me rousing supper here in half an hour"
 The negro began to shout again. He doubled himself together like jack knife, swayed from side to side and fell to the floor in a paroxyism of mirth.
 Whats the matter now, you fool! shouted Culbert kicking him again. "Get up from there and get my supper"
 "Yes, monsieur. But l must laugh for once more See. There Is good food! And I laugh to think that you will eat