Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-31

DAILY SHORT STORY
ON THE SPANISH MAIN.

q gentleman or Maurld Win auventur-
Gus tastes, enlisted on the schooner
Libertad Liberty. that had fitted out
ut Cadiz to prey on English commerce
on the Spanish main. During the cruise
the war between the two countries end
ed, and Captain DemOnio. who COM
handed the vessel. decided TO turn
pirate. He announced his intention to
the crew and offered to land any of
them who did not wish To Join in the
enterprise on one OF the Bahama is
lands. but SO many of them requested
TO be put ashore that he recOnsidered
his proposition and forced them to re-
main and act as pirates.
Jose Clemencin. who belonged to one
OF the first families in Spain. was ap-
palled at being obliged to turn pirate.
He was a brave man, but knew that
IL he SO much as lifted Il finger for
resistance he would he murdered.s He
therefore determined To bide his time.
convinced DemOniO that he was with
him heart and soul and secretly became
the leader of those who We're forced
to he pirates against their will.
One Of the first vessels captured was
an English ship. Iured to destruction
by Demonio, since her captain. suppOs-
ing Demonio did not know that the
war had closed and that he could con-
vince him of the fact. made no defense.
The Britisher carried an English gen.
tleman. Sir Thomas SandersOn, who
was going ont to assume the governor
ship Of one Of the Bahamas. His fami-
~ were with him, including daughter.
Helen Sanderson, a girl OF twenty.
When this family We're marched
aboard the Libertad. n deathly paKor
on every face. Jose Clemencin re-
solved that he would save them or die
with them. He told the captain that
he suspected Sir Thomas to be very
rich and able to pay an enormous ran
som. This he did to excite the cap
tain's cupidity and gain time. The
plan worked SO well that instead Of
forcing the gentleman and his family
to walk the plank the captain confined
them in the cabin. Clemencin also got
the captains permission to retain sew
eral of the Englishmen for the crew,
thus adding to the number Of his own
adherents, so that, counting the two d.
visions, he found there were a dozen
men he could rely on 10 twenty who
would stand by the captain. All this
was facilitated by Clemencin's speak:
ing a little English. while the captain
could neither speak nor understand a
word but his own tongue. The captain
directed Clemencin to arrange for a
ransom, but DemOniO was present at
the interview. and, although he could
not understand English. Clemencin did
not dare risk any betrayal Of his inten-
lions. Sir Thomas was OF course glad
Of an opportunity to pay a ransom, but
Clemencin knew the plan would be i'm
practicable for the pirates.
Then came one OF the crew and told
Clemencin that three men had Joined
those opposed To piracy. making if
teen. Clemencin resolved to make an
attempt to capture the ship. He ar
ranged to take care of the captain
himself and appointed his men. each
one to kill or bind or otherwise dispose
Of one of the pirates. This left only
two men unprovided for. But as soon
as Sir Thomas could be released he
would be added to Clemencin's force
Every man on both sides was well
armed, and there was, besides. good
~ stock Of weapons in the cabin re-
served for an armory, Of which the
captain kept the key on his person.
The captain the day after the cap
ture gave up the feasibility Of securing
| a ransom without too great danger Of
being entrapped, and at 10 o'clock at
night told Clemencin that Sir Thomas
| and his family should walk the plank
Clamonein of
Of his men on deck and whispered to
him to pass the word that at eight
bells midnight each man was to at
tack the man assigned him. The first
| four to dispatch their men were to
| rush ON deck and attack the watch.
Then it must be a free fight.
At the last tap Of the midnight bell,
when the new watch was starting up,
the attack commenced. Three pirates
were stabbed in their hunks. On the
new watch pirates and honest men
were equally divided, and the pirates
lost one of their side. Clemencin's men
were instructed to use the dagger or
cutlass, but their opponents used fire.
arms. This awakened the captain.
who, as he opened his cabin door. was
shot by Ciemencin. Clemencin then
went on deck, where he found the old
| watch (ail pirates) standing paralyzed.
Clemencin shot two of them, and at the
same moment two Of his own men
came up from below. One Of the watch
was thrown overheard and the others
pinioned. Then Clemencin and his two
men went to the forecastle, where the
remnant Of the pirates were making a
last stand against eight or ten assail-
ants Clemencin shouted that their cap
tain was killed and called on them to
| surrender. They did so. and the ship
was saved.
Clemencin went Immediately to the
cabin where the SandersOn family
were confined and explained what had
occurred. Lady Sanderson swooned for
Joy, while Helen and the children look
al at their deliverer as they would