Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1906-02-03


still be prisoner, the Lady Mercedes
Ike l..o3e Wretched women weeping in
che Gtreets. | promised him, in vour
I.aasc, protection, immunity from ntn-
isamc.-l cEd liberty to depart with as
much of the treasure of the Porto Relic
plate galleon, which was wrecked on
the sands few days ago, of which r
told you, as he could carry
And you did not exceed your author
ity, Captain Alvarado. We contemn
treason in whatsoever guise it doth an
pear, and we hate and loathe a traitor
but thy word is passed It will be held
lnylolate as our own. You are free
knave. | will appoint soldiers to guard
you, for should my men see YOU. not
knowing this, they would cut Won
down, and when occasion serves Won
may take passage in the first ship that
touches here and go where you will
Nay, we will be generous, although we
like you not. We are much indebtad
to you. We have profted by what we,
do despise. We would reward Won
Ask of me something that [ may meas
ure my obligation for daughters hon
or saved if you can realize or feel what
that may be-"
''My lord, hear me-" said the boat
swain quickly. There be reasons and
reasons for betrayals, and | have one.
This man was my captain. [ periled
my life dozen times to save his,
followed him blindly upon a hundred
terrible ventures. l lived but for his
service. My soul-when had a soul
was at his command. I loved him
He could ask Of me anything that I
could have given him and he would not
have been refused.
'Sirs, there came to me a young
brother of mine, not such as |, a rude.
unlettered sailor, but a gentleman.
and college bred. There are quarter.
ings on my family scutcheon, sirs.
back in merry England, had | the wit
or care to trace it. He was reckless
youth, chafng under the restraints Of
that hard religion to which we had
been born. The free life of brother
Of the coast attracted him. He became.
like me, buccaneer. l stroye to dis
suade him, but without avail He was
the bravest the handsomest, the most
gallant of us all. He came into nv.
old heart like a son. We are not all
brute, gentlemen. | have waded In
blood and plumber like the rest but in
every heart there is some spot that
beats for things better. l divided my
love between him and my captain. This.
mamie pointed to his old master
with his blunted finger, drawing him
self. up until he looked taller than he,
was, his one eye flashing with anger
and hatred as with stern, rude el0-
quence he recited his wrongs, the grim
Indictment of false friend-"thS man
betrayed US at Panama. With what
he had robbed his comrades of he
bought immunity, even knighth0Od,
from the king of England. He was
made vice governor Of Jamaica, and
his hand fell heavily upon those who.
had blindIy followed him in the old
days, Zen who had served him and
trusted him. as linen whose valor and
courage had made him what he was.
He took the lad l loved and be-
cause his proud spirit would not break
to his heavy hand and he answered him
like the bold, free sailor he was he
hanged him like a dog, sirs! II
stopped for his life l, who cared not
for myself, offered to stand in his
place upon the gallows platform,
though | have no more taste for the
rope than any Of you, If only he might
60 free. He laughed at me! He mock
ed me! urged my ancient service. He
drove me from him with curses and
threats like a whipped dog. l could
have struck him down then but that
wanted to save him for a revenge,
that might measure my hate slow and
long and terrible-not mere sudden
death: that would not suffice-some-
thing more.
''Treachery? My lord, his was the
drst. [ played his own game and have
overcome it with the same Dye blame
me now? Take your treasure! l want
none of it. [ want only him and my re-
venge! Liberty's dear to all Of us. I'll
give mine up. You may take my life
with the rest. but first give me this
man. Let me deal with him. l will re-
venge you all, and when | have finish.
ed with him [ will yield myself to you.
He was a hideous figure of old hate
and rancor, of unsIaked passion, of
monstrous possibilities of cruel torture.
Even Morgan himself, intrepid as he
was, shrank from the awful menace of
the mordant words
my lord" shouted the unfortunate
captain, give him no heed. He lies in
his throat; he lies q thousand times.
Twas a mutinous dog, that brother Of
his, that / hanged. ! am your prisoner
You are soldier. | look for speedy
ishment-certain death, it may be-
but let it not be from his hand"
Think, senors," urged the boatswain-
''You would hang him, perhaps. 1t Is
the worst that you could do Is that
punishment meet for1im? He has de-
spoiled women, bereft children, tortur-
ed men, in the streets of La Guayrds
A che