Year: 1874

September, 1884. \ war-brig, which
had been fitted out lOr the suppression
of smuggling, was lazily creeping along
over the heavy, motl0nlesS swells, JUS
off the coast of Galway; and on hel
deck~was being enacted a scene of more
than common interest. The day before
she had captured q small boat laden
with contraband articles, together
with an old man and boy who had
charge of them; and the Captain of the
brig, whose name was Dracutt, had
ordered that the old smuggler should
be put in irons. To this indignity The
old man made a stout resistance, and
in the heat of the moment, he lad sc
far forgotten himself as to strike the
Captain a blow which laid him upon
the deck. Such an insult to an English
officer was past endurance, and in
punishment for his offense the SNUG.
gler had been condemend to die.


A single whip was rove at the star
hoard foreyard arm, and all hands
were called to witness the execution.
The rope was noosed and slipped over
the culprit's bead, and the running
end was rove through a small snatch
block on the deck. Until this moment
not a word had escaped the lips of the
boy. He trembled as he beheld the
preparations; and, as the fatal moose
was passed and drawn tight, the color
forsook his cheeks, and he dropped
upon his knees before the inoensed
Captain.


Mercy, sir-mercy'


'F'or whom?' asked the officer, while
a contemptuous sneer rested upon his
lips.


'For that old map whom you are
about to KILL


He dies, boy!'


But he.is my father, Sir


No matter ifhe were my own iather;
that man who strikes an English Off
Ger while in the performance of his
duty must die.'


But he was manacled-he was in
suited, SIR urged the boy,


'Insulted!' repeated the Captai L.
who insulted him?'


You did, SIR replied the boy, while
his face was flush with indignation.


Get up, sir, and be careful that you
do not get the same treatment said
the Captain, in savage tone.


The old man heard this appeal of his
son. and as the last words dropped
from the lips of his captor, he raised
his head, aud while a look of the ut
most de6nance passed over his textures,
he exclaimed, ASK no favors, Robert.
Old John Kintock can die as well now
as any time; let them do the worst


Then turning to Captain Dracutt, he
changed his tone for one of deep sup
plication, and said, DO what you please
with me, sir, bat do not harm my boy,
for he has done no wrong. / am ready
for your sentence, and the sooner you
finish it the better


sI.ay hold of the whip shouted the
Captain. Lay hold, every man of you,
and stand by to run the villain up


In obedience to this order, the lnen
ranged themselves along the deck, and
each one laid hold Of the rope. Robert
Kintock looked first at his father, aDd
then he ran his eye along the line Of
men who were to be his eXecutioners.
But not one sympathizing or plying
look could he trace. Their faces were
all hard and cold, and they all appear
ed anxious to conSumate their murder
Gus work.


sWhatv exclaimed the boy while a
tear started from his trembling lid, is
there not one even who can pity"


Up with Limp shouted the Captain.


Robert buried his face in his hands,
and the next moment his father was
swinging at the yardarm. He heard
the passing rope and the creaking block,
and he knew that he was fatherlesS.


Half an hour afterward the boy knelt
by the side of a ghastly corpse, and a
simple prayer escaped his lips. Then
another low, murmuring sound came
up from his bosom; but none of those
who stood around knew its import. 1t
was pledge of deep revenge.


Just as the old mans body Sud from
the gang-board into the water, a vivid
flash of lightning steamed through the
heavens, and in another instant the
dread artillery of nature sent forth a
roar so long and loud that the men act
ually placed their hands to their ears
to shut out its deafening power. Robt.
Kintock started at the sound, and what
had caused dread in others bosoms,
sent a thrill of satisfaction to his own.


'Oh, revenge! revengev he muttered
to himself, as he cast his eyes over the
foam-crested waves, which had already
risen beneath the power of the sudden
storm.


The darkness had come as quickly as
did the storm; and all that could be
distinguished from the deck of the brig,
save the breaking sea, was the fearful,
craggy shore, as flash after flash ol
| lightning Illuminated the heavens.
Light, no! shouted man forward;
and the next moment all eyes were di-
rected to a bright light which had sud
denly flashed up among the distant
rocks.


The wind had now reached its height
and with its giant power it set the ill
fatted brig directly upon thesurf-bount
shore of rock and reefs; and every face
save one, was blanched with fear. II
vain did they try to lay the brig to thu