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About The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 6, 1905)
A J a dose such as will set them to re pairing damages and turning to the crew should she get close enough asr s AFITTE BY gvgARY gEVEREUX WTH ILLUSTRATIONS BV DON r wi on CHAPTER XII An hour before sunset the fog rolled up revealing the man-of-war anchored near enough for the men on her deck to be seen plainly without the aid of a glass Tho anchors of both vessels were raised at once and the chase was renewed with the pursuer not a mile away and heading about south- west which would soon bring her within range of the brigantine whose course lay duo west A curl of smoke soon rose from the Englishmans deck and a few seconds later there came the report of a gun A pressing invitation for as to show our colors remarked La fitte as he watched the shot strike ihe water A short time passed with the Black Petrels crew uneasy and Lopez swearing softly in his native tongue The pursuer then began amore per sistent firing with her bow guns but none of the shots reached their mark Presently Lafitte who was standing near Lopez asked quietly How would a shot work now Try and see The old gunner with a shout due to his long repressed feelings set about leveling his gun calculated the dis tance and obtained the nroper eleva tion There was a report soon followed by a trembling of the enemys spars and the brigantines crew crowded to see the result You have struck their foremast just below the futtocks announced Lafitte looking through his glass Aye sir and I will sing them an other such sweet song said Lopez coolly watching his men reload the gun The enemy had meantime come a little closer and was dropping shot viciously about the brigantine Lopez make haste with the gun cried Laro with an path Give them one of the hands that were already growing cold Jean you will take care of La zalie And Laros black eyes their mockery forever slain looked at him with appealing wistfulness Lafitte nodded and pressed the hand he held She will have plenty of wealth as you know see that it is delivered to her safely and kept securely after ward Take the girl away Jean take her to the nuns in New Orleans as I should have done before this and do you and she have the church say masses for my soul My soul he re peated in a quick gasp To where will my soul go As Lafittes lips parted to speak the dying man as if divining what he might be about to say cried with a sudden burst of strength No no boy try to tell me no soothing lies Living I never knew fear and dying I scorn it Ah Madre de Dios Christ have mercy And with this last cry Laros voice was -stilled forever Lafittes heart repeated the prayer as he folded the doad mans hands across the broad chest and scarcely had he done this when he was startled by the noise of a commotion above him Stopping only to draw a blanket over the face and form of the dead he went on deck where a number of ex cited men were gathered on the side toward the enemy His glance had al ready followed the direction of their eyes and he saw one of the Black Petrels smallest boats being rowed by the Indian Ehewah toward the English vessel and clinging to it while his hoarse voice poured forth a volley of menacing words was Lopez Lopez had loosed one of his hands from the boats gunwale and drawing his knife hurled it at the Indian but Ehewah dodged and it fell into the sea He then rowed on and Lopez no longer shouting attempted to draw himself over the stern of the boat - With a cursing cry he sank to try any tricks with grappling irons have the cutlasses ready my hearties And remember that it is no quarter A sound half roar half snarl came from the men and the next moment ihere was a whistling amongst them is a cannon ball struck the bulwark n front of Laro filling the air with olts of wood and then glancing into the water A large sharply pointed piece of ragged wood struck him in the side and with a cursing cry he sank face downward upon the deck the blood from his wounds spattering those near est him several of whom had been hit by the flying splinters Lafitte sprang forward and placing his arms around the quivering form turned the distorted face to the air Then looking up at the gunner who was staring wildly at the sight he sried Fire Lopez as you never fired before A prompt discharge followed the order and a wild shout of joy went up from the crew of the Black Pe trel The enemys foremast was again struck this time with disastrous ef fect as could be readily seen for her crew were getting the sails off with all possible speed Her fore royal and top gallant sails were clewed up and the topsail yard let go by the run while the mast was swaying percepti bly Laro by Lafittes command had been borne to the main cabin where he was laid upon a divan and the brigantine had been ordered to confe to anchor The enemy had already done this and in her present crippled condition there was nothing to fear from her as the distance between the vessls was too great for advantage ous firing even had the Englishman been In proper form to continue the fight Laro was breathing heavily In brok en gasps and beckoning to Lafltte he asked to have sent away those who ere about him still striving to check the blood that flowed so freely as to soak the red of the divan until It showed black Lafitte sent the others away and sitting down by the dying man took At this the Indian had stopped row ing and struck the gunner over the head with an oar continuing the blows until Lopez released his hold and sank from sight A boat which had been lowered from the English ship was now seen pulling rapidly to where Ehewah still pausing appeared waiting for the gun ners body to rise This it soon did and the Indian showing an agile strength one would not have accredited to his slight frame drew it into the boat The crew of the brigantine saw Ehe wah parley with the men from the enemys vessel after which he rowed in their company to the man-of-war and Lafitte watching through his glass saw the form of Lopez carried aboard in their midst Lafitte bidding Garonne accompany him went below to Laros cabin Ga ronne lit the brass lamp swinging over the small table and turned to Lafitte who stood looking about him as if for some sign of Ehewahs treacherous in tention when the gleam of a gold band hanging over Laros bunk caught their eyes It was a bracelet which the Indian had always worn upon his naked arm since the day Laro placed it there in a burst of gratitude to Ehewah for having saved his life Both Lafitte and Garonne knew enough of the Indians tribe lore to understand that this was Ehewahs mute announcement of ended friend ship and loyalty He doubtless stole in here to per form what to him was a religious rite and having hung Laros gift where we found it went his way intending to attempt that which he has now ac complished mused Lafitte aloud Then as if struck by an after thought he went to Laros bunk and throwing aside the rich draperies dis closed a heavy wooden locker Its lid was contrary to custom locked and when Lafitte opened it a disarranged collection of papers and canvas bags showed within It is as I supposed not a coin nor jewel touched but charts and papers gone that are of more importance than all the valuables The rascal knows th way to the Barra do Hlerro and the charts he has taken will In form others showing them where to find what now belongs to the Senorlta Lazalie I Garonne forgetful of his usual re straint whenJn Lafittes presence now proke forth into a flood of closes Which the latter checked at once The mate turned to the cabin door vhere he paused and asked in a voi trembling with the anger he dared1 not show Have you any orders foi me captain yNone save to let the men have their supper at once and see to it thai onjy half allowance of grog is served The fog is coming in and we will sail as soon as may be Like an army of shrouded ghosts the fog was again about the Black Petrel enclosing her in a world where she was the sole tangible thing But as over a path familiar to blind eyes the hands that manned her could shape an unerring course for their secure haven Long before midnight she was feel ing her way north toward the mouth of the treacherous channel that would bring the crew to their island strong hold the Barra de Hierro The early morning air was heavy with odors of aromatic shrubs grow ing beyond the beach and tho carol of wakening birds was filling It with music when Lafitte came ashore Ieav ing Garonne in charge of the brigan tine His course lay inland at first ovei waste fields and then cultivated ones of sugar cane coffee and tobacco Then came some banana and fig plan tations interspersed with groves ol palms and cocoanut trees until aftei a walk of twenty minutes he reached a clearing in which stood many smali huts evidently dwellings and apart from these rose the walls of a stone building surrounded by a high wall with circular towers at the angles Lafitte crossed the open spaca and stopping before a stout oaken door in the wall called for admission But there was no response and alter a longer silence than suited his humor he fell to striking upon the door while he called still louder This resulted in its soon bolng opened cautiously to show a stalwar giant whose black face and nakr arms showed all the darker by cou trast with the white cotton of bis rai ment draped in a barbaric fashiot that told of its not having knowj thread and needle My young captain he exclaime in Spanish a pleased surprise lightinj his grave face and catching Laflttei hand he kissed it as the latter ro plied Greetings to you Ezrah Is 1 all well here Yes my young captain All is well but it will be more than well nov that you have returned Lafitte waited until the Arab fo such he was had closed and barree the gate and then in a few words he told him of what had taken place adding that Laros body would bi brought ashore later in the day fo burial Ezrah listened with a face showinj no emotion whatever save perhap that of anger that the nation bis mas ter had taught him to hate shoulc have been the means of the former death His young mistress the Senorit Lazalie was of course not yet awake and Lafitte after bidding the Arab t leave her undisturbed went to hi own apartments Lazalie was now sixteen and sine leaving a convent school in Seville two years before her entire time ha been passed upon the Barra de Hierrc to which Laro her only living rela tive had brought her and where shf had seemed fully contented with he luxurious and independent life Laro of necessity passed much o his time away from the Barra dc Hierro and during his absence La zalie was its head and ruler excep when Lafitte found it necessary t visit the island Then the Spanisl girl gave place and with entire will ingness to the man whom from theii first meeting she had loved with al the fervor of her uncurbed nature To be continued Cause of Thanks It was a Coffee county boy who mar ried and went to Texas and upon ar riving there wrote promptly back U his friends that he got there safe anc well And that was the very last time that he ever did write to them They waited and they waited and they wondered and they wondered and they wondered and never a word fur ther from the wanderers Some anxl ety was felt or would have been felt but for one old woman of distant kin who whenever his name was men tioned would always say Well he got thar safe and theyre all well thank God Finally his name was dropped him self forgotten till one day ten years after his departure something brought up his name and the old query came up Why doesnt he write And the same old woman piped the same old song Well anyhow he got thar safe an theyre all well thank God Nash ville Banner Novel Relay Swimmmg Race A novel cross channel swimming race from Calais to Dover has been promoted by the Belgian Swimmnig federation for a challenge cup to be known as the cross channel cup The competition is open to the world for teams of five amateur swimmers The first swimmer of each team would swim as far as possible across the cnannel The second man would then take up the task and would be fol lowed by the others In turn The team whose men first reaches shore would win the cup The race is to take place In July or AUEtct I - WM MlMWM - JJ Miii lAFITm JLUjO er number of them upon the island where there was abundant food and shelter and take with him only a few including such as Lazalie should select for her own A rustle of draperies a stealing of perfume like that of jessamine flowers a pair of soft arms thrown about his neck and a rain of passionate kisses on his face and head these roused him quickly as a rich voice broken by tears cried Jean my own Jean He tried to rise and to unclasp the arms clinging to him so closely that it was difficult for him to disengage them without risk of hurting her Still clinging to him she threw her supple form across his knees You have been so long so long away and I was so glad you had come back to me Ah Jean will you not know bow dearly I love you I would follow you to death if you would but say that you love me in return Jean Lafitte was a mai and pos sessed a mans nature But there was scarce an added throb to his heart- tiful face Its glorious eyes brilliant coloring and full crimson lips affected him with a sudden loathing while he felt the velvety arms around his neck He yet had the arrogance of youth and this gave severity to his judgment making him fail to consider her girl ishness her ignorance of convention alities or to make excuses for her impetuous untrained nature Speak she cried showering kisses upon his clothing Are you dumb that you will not answer me Then I will draw the words from your lips And pulling his head down she kissed him At this gripping her white arms with unconscious force he tore them from his neck and pushed her from him as he rose to his feet Are you insane Senorita Lazalie he asked in a tone whose coldness caused her to shiver as she stood like a criminal before a judge Yon are unnerved by what has come to you and do not know what you are saying he continued in a low evi voice that affected her like an icy torrent rushing into a tropical stream I will be your friend and you must believe that you have my sympathy and my wish to be of all possible service to you She showed no recognition of his offer but remained silent with droop ing head and heaving breast Forget what you have caid as shall I and let us be friends he add ed still calmly but with kindliness Let us work together for there is much to be done Remember he said finally in answering to a ques tioning look in the face she now raised to him we must sail this night for iew Orleans or the English may make us prisoners and deal out such insults to you as I might be unable to prevent She made no reply but turned and left the room Two stories of the building were above ground how many there were below was known definitely to no one save Lafitte Lazalie and Maam Brig ida Ezrah and a few of the sub-officers knew something of the vaults and passages but they were ignorant of the treasure concealed there its bulk value and location Lafitte not wishing the Arab to ob tain more accurate knowledge pro ceeded with the Irishwomans help to UISJATSE w BY 4RY BEVEREUX YfTH ILLUSTRATIONS BV DOM C WJL50N CHAPTER XIII The sun was nearly two hours high when Lafitte awoke from slumber and prepared to make himself- ready for the responsible and arduous duties ly ing before him In view of Laros dying request he had considered carefully the arrange ments for Lazalies immediate future and this he unfolded to Maam Brigida Lazalies old nurse and companion after sending Ezrah to superintend the gathering of such stores as were to be taken to the shore preparatory to putting them aboard the Black Pe trel and another craft which was to sail under command of Ezrah who in addition to his other valuable attain ments was a skillful navigator As to the slaves of whom there were several hundred it was not pru dent to attempt taking them in a body to Louisiana and Lafitte decided for the present to leave by far the great Al empty the chests and pack their con tents for removal The chests were soon emptied and the bundles lying reay for removal Early in the afternoon the entire crew came ashore with the body of their dead captain and all on the island were given a half holiday in order that they might show respect to its interment Lazalie was not present and La fitte saw her no more until evening when with high held head and scorn ful air she joined him and the others at the table to partake of the last meal that would be eaten on the Bar ra de Hierro In the midst of it they were startled by tho sudden appearance in their midst of a bedraggled and weary form It was that of the gunner Lopez who still wet from the sea and his gar ments torn by the thickets through which he had pushed his way dropped silently into a chair seemingly too worn out for speech His faco was white and a bandage enveloped his head It was as Lafitte had supposed and contemplated Ehewah by help of the charts he had stolen had gained the enemys favor and the latter ip con sequence of the information furnished by the Indian had lost no time in re pairing damages and setting sail in pursuit of the brigantine There was general rejoicing over Lopezs escape But this feeling was in a measure tempered by anger at Ehewahs treachery and hard indeed would have been the Indians fate could any of those sinewy hands have grasped his brown throat When the gunners story was ended a half suppressed roar had surged through the room to be hushed by the uplifted hand and reproving frown of Lafitte for Lazalie had not yet left the table but sat with Maam Brigida beside her at the farthest end Her red lips were parted slightly and an beats as he looked down into the beau- angry light glowed in her black eyes 3fg5Eb Ifeplliijlte Are you insane Senorita Lazalie he asked Why did you fail to kill the In dian she demanded imperiously as if holding Lopez accountable for a grave offense Kill him repeated the old gun ner whose hand was carrying to his mouth a huge piece of turtle meat Kill him Senorita Lazalie Yes was her haughty reply You should have killed him How was I to do that he asked with a scowl as if feeling the unjust ness of her accusation I had wasted my knife on the traitor and it now lies somewhere off Satans Key my powder and pistols were sea soaked and he took good care to keep out of reach after I came to my senses aboard the English ship I understand she said now in a more gracious tone and we are very glad you escaped But she added what could have happened that Ehe wah should think of committing such an act of treachery Lafitte caught Lopezs eye and obeying the command he saw in the formers look the gunner made no re ply Lazalie appeared to have forgotten her question for she remained silent and in a few minutes went to her own apartments followed by Maam Brigi da The meal was soon finished and then the men gathered from the table the gold and silver plate packing it into canvas bags which were borne to the shore to be taken aboard the Black Petrel The greater part of the slaves to gether with those brought from the brigantine to be turned loose among their sable fellows were of course ig norant as to the plans of their owner and when they retired for the night it was to slumber but little less deeply by reason of their brief respite from labor while the new arrivals half sick from their long imprisonment with its darkness and poor air slept far more soundly But the next morning the former awakening in affright at the lateness of the hour and wondering why no overseers lash had roused them long before soon realized that something unusual had befallen for the sun was not two hours high when a compact bodv of scarlet uniforms and shining - rnnfIIH Til i J guns was seen advancing from tho islands shore The greater number of tho fright ened slaves fled inland to hide in tho thickets and gullies But some of tho more intelligent sought tho shel ter of the stone stronghold and find ing it deserted they quickly shut and barred tho oaken gate It was not long before a storm of blows upon the gate called some of them to it and looking through a loophole they saw tho strangers gath ered behind a commanding ofllcer who was demanding entrance In the kings name Tho terrified slaves a few of whom understood tho words lost no time in obeying and were soon assured that no harm would come to them from the invaders whose leader upon questioning the negroes was made aware of the condition of affairs Meanwhile northerly sailed the Black Petrel with Lafitte in com mand and with him Lopez and a pick ed crew such men as he knew had his own cause at heart It was noon when the Black Petrel reached New Orleans and Lafitte came ashoro immediately bringing with him Lazalie and Maam Brigida No others left the brigantine as its commanders sole business in the city was that of providing for the girls immediate future after which he pro posed sailing at once for Barataria One of his most intimate friends was Philip La Roche a man of middle age and a banker of New Orleans He was of fine family of high social posi tion and a gentleman of the strictest honor It was to his care that Lafitte com mitted Lazalie after seeing her quar tered safely in company with Maam Brigida at the Ursuline convent in the Place dArmes Lazalie had during the voyage pre served an air of calmness to which was added an occasional touch of scorn but when while they were alone Lafitte bade her adieu she put out a detaining hand as she stood with downcast eyes before him When am I to see you again she asked in a listless tone That I cannot now say but the mother superior will know how to com municate with me if I am needed he answered gently And may I not return to the Barra de Hierro later on after a while she inquired with a humility which surprised him It would be most imprudent for you to do so for some time to come if ever as you must surely know he replied firmly looking down into her face The English must have seized the island and will doubtless hold it and as Laros next of kin you can scarcely hope for success should you assert a claim to it as own er But why wish to go back when you are in safety here with a fortune which will insure you perfect inde pendence What more can you ask I ask your love and I want to be with you she exclaimed impetuous ly snatching her hands away and throwing her arms around his neck while with a sobbing cry she laid her head against his breast Lafittes face hardened as his fin gers closed about her wrists and loosened her arms That can never be Lazalie never I have never known anything of love and have no desire to learn of it now I am not worth any womans loving nor can I afford to have any womans fate linked with mine Believe this and accept it and let us part friends She turned from him covering her face with her hands Mr Philip La Roche will call upon you in a day or two He is one whom you can trust and with whom you can advise safely and I shall place your affairs in his hands Lafitte had moved toward the door and turning at the threshold he add ed Adios Lazalie and believe me when I say that if you ever need my services as a friend you may count upon me She di not reply and when she uncovered her face he was gone To be continued GOT PURSE FROM THE BAR Winner of Race Had Close Call in Collecting Money Mars Cassidy the starter is fond of telling the story of an incident which occurred when he was racing a string of horses on the unrecognized tracks of the outlaw circuit It was the last day of a meeting in a town not far from Jersey City and it was up to Cassidy to win a purse or walk to the next racirg town He had a fair skate in the last event of the day and had engaged a dare devil jockey who he knew would take all kinds of chance Just about a hun dred yards from the finish on this roller coaster track there was a pitch hole such as often is seen on a coun try road in winter There had been so many falls at this spot that the jockeys always eased up when approaching it Cassidy com manded his rider to make his most desperate move right at this point and sure enough when the others took a wrap before reaching the gully Cassidys boy dug the spurs Into his mount and won the race The owner with a great load off his mind went into the secretarys office to collect the purse Ill have to send out for the money said the secretary I have paid out everything on hand Cassidys jaw dropped with a click but he managed to say Send out for it Send where To the bartender said the secre tary suavely And sure enough says Cassidy in relating the story it was from tho bar till that they dug up my purse If the bar had been closed I guess I would bo there yet 1 V H
