Year: 1876

on the part of Wilson and Claymore
but the temptation to enrich and dis
tinguish themselves by one bold stroke
WAS too much for men in their condition
of life to resist, and they soon joined
hands upon the bold venture


Once decided, they went in for speedy
action and in less than five minutes
they were on the water, and pulling
away for the strange vessel with all
their might. AS they neared her they
used great caution, and one of the three
kept his glass all the time bearing upon
her All remained still on board, and
not soul was to be seen as they ran up
alongside. In another minute our three
adventurers on deck, and in double that
time they had convinced themselves that
they were masters of heavily armed,
richly y-freighted pirate.


"Now, then, boys, it's neck OF moth
ing!" said Chase, as he hurried forward
and cut the cable.


AS the vessel began to fall off, the
three men, who had, had experience as
sailors, made all haste to hoist sail and
get her under way. The canvass quick
ly filed with the stiffening breeze, and
the vessel began to move forward. The
moment our adventures found she had
gaind headway, they felt a wonderful re-
lief and the more reckless Chase, as he
seized the helm and brought her round,
proposed three cheers.


'No mol" said Wilson, the villains
will find lis quick enough, and we amt
ont of danger yet !''


AS If III response to these words of
caution, there came at this moment a
wild yell from the shore. The pirates
had suddenly made the discovery of the
capture of their vessel and rushing in
furious disorder to their boats, they put
off in mad pursuit. There was q
painful suspense for few minutes on
the part of the captors, during which
they gave to the breeze every sail they
could, and anxiously noted they pro-
gress they were making. Finding at
length they were really gaining on their
pursuers, and therefore had nothing
more to fear from them, they suddenly
gave three as hearty cheers as ever
came from the lungs of daring men.
These were responed to by n series Of
demoniac yells, bitter curses, and a
general discharge of small arms, some
of the balls from which whistled through
the rigging.


clio! Hol my hearties-so that S
your game, is it ?" cried Chase with a
loud laugh of defene. ''We1l let you
know there's somebody else can play at
that. Here, boys, lend hand, to train
this nine-pounder on en-! It'll be a
shot in the dark but reckon it II match
their shooting any way %


In another moment the gun was point
ed at the pursuing boats and fired. Wild
screams and yells followed; and as soon
as the smoke rose, the glass showed the
pirates in terrible confusion, which cor
vinced our friends that the shot had
done execution.


"Good bye, you scoundreIs.." :" cried
Chase, with derisive laugh.
And "good bye" it was, for the pirat-
es followed no further, and soon the
dim specks of boats were lost in the
dark distance.


Our gallant adventurers reached New
Orleans in safety, where the captured
vessel was recognized as a noted pirate.
At first their story was disbelieved, and
they were put under arrest; but they
finally succeeded in establishing its
truth, and then comparative riches and
glory became their reward.