Year: 1874




though their request had been thus readily
complied with, proved most treacherous !;
for the laying of the brig to the wind had
brought her head exactly into the position
to receive raking fire, and on the next
moment she got it from the pirates broad
side. None Of the brig's crew were harm
ed, however, for at that instant their yes
sells bows were raised upon the bosom of a
rolling sea, and the enemy's shot struck
low, though some of them hit the brig


AS had been anticipated, the pirates pre-
pared to board the bows, for already had
she run under the briggs forefeet and luffed
short up. The captain of the merchantman
called all his men aft, and having hidden
the two guns as much as possible by low
ering the main spencer across them, he saw
that they were aimed properly, and then,
with lighted match behind him,
the mate stood in the same manner-he
awaited the onset.


At length the pirates bows grated along
under the briggs fore-chains, and as the
grapplings were thrown on board, the buc-
cancers began to swarm in by the fore-rig-
ging. Some twenty Of them had gained the
deck, and were upon the point of rushing
aft, when the captain applied his match,
and from beneath the innocent looking sail
there poured forth sheet of fame and
as the myriad messengers Of death went on
their way. The captain was not disap-
pointed in the result of his shot, for the
spikes and bolts had been packed in such a
manner that they spread in all directions,
and the havoc they made among the advanc-
ing men was fearful. AS the pirates saw
the fate of their comrades they set up wild
yells Of rage, and those who were behind
dashed madly on, but ere they reached the
gangway they were met by the mates shot,
and for few moments they hesitated.
Twenty, at least, of their men were either
killed or totally disabled, aud they had not
many over the same number left.


Pistols, my men pistols % shouted
the captain of the brig, as the pirates once
more started aft.


The pistols were discharged, but only
one or two of the enemy fell, and the
remainder came dashing wildly on. The
crew of the brig drew their cutlassess
and with fearful clashing of thirsty steel
the combatants met


Orlando Chester stood apart in the
weather gangway. In one hand he held
his heavy cutlass, and in the other hand a
loaded pistol, but as yet he had mingled
not in the fight. At length he saw the
captain of the brig fall beneath the cut
lass Of the buccaneer chief, and ere long
the mate sank dead upon the deck. The
pirates we're gaining ground All the men
who were now left were favorably disposed
to the youth-at least, in their sympa-
thies; and as the thought came to our
hero's mind he grasped the cutlass more
firmly in his hand, brought his pistol to
its rest, and then, with the hope of liberty
beckoning him on, he rushed forward to
the scene of conflict.


During any period of battle the ap-
pcarance of new enemy in the field-no
matter how insignificant the enemy may
be = cannot fail to produce some effect
upon the opposing party. Until the young
hunter rushed forward from the gangway
he had not been observed by the pirates,
and as the first blow was aimed at their
chieftain they were for moment SO start
led that the points of their weapons we're
inyoluntarily allowed to drop. orlandO's
blow had been calculated for an effective
one, and the pirate chieftain fell beneath it
never to rise again to earthly life. In a mo-
ment the buccaneers recovered their sus-
pended senses, and two bright cutlasses
CLEANED at once above young Chester's
head, but he was calm in his purpose of
self-redemption, and his quick eye served
him faithfully. With his weapon, still red
with the fallen chieftain's blood, he struck
off the blow Of the assailant upon the right,
and with his ready pistol he shot the other
through the head.


This feat of Orlando's, as terrible as IL
was unexpected, served double purpose.
1t not only struck terror to the hearts of
tho pirates, but It also gave courage to the
crew of the brig. Nolansprang forward TO
the youths side-tho rest followed his
example, and with loud shout OF victory
they set with almost demonisc bravery
upon the enemy. Foot after foot did the
pirates give up Of their ground, as one after
another Of their number fell beneath the
determined strokes of Orlando aud his COM
panions until at length, with not over
dozen Of them alive, they turned at the fore
.i.n.i,o. n.d. lnn.,lI ....l... A. -. -. 4 =