Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 November 1900 — THE TEXAS CRUISER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE TEXAS CRUISER

—BY— T. BURLINGAME ROSS

CHAPTER 111. When Captain Howard reached the chore where his boat was, he ifound a. ««cond boat there, in which there were four men, the fifth one of her men being open the beach. Thisodatter man Howard recognized as a sergeant of one of the companies stationed at Matamoras, whose name was Beecher. “Come,” tried the captain, “let us go -on board and have some supper, and then we’ll do our business.” In a few minutes more the party were on the schooner’s deck. Supper was ready, and the captain invited Beecher to his cabin, while the other men, who were privates, went forward with the crew;. . “Now,” said Howard, “what news do you bring from Matamoras?" “The colonel sent me up, sir,” returned the sergeant, “to inform yon that that notorious Mexican pirate was in our waters.” r “Ha!” uttered' Howard, dropping his knife, “do you mean Tudel?” “Yea? sir. It must have been him. He gave chase to a brig that came from New Orleans to bring us stores. There is Another brig due from New Orleans with provisions and clothing for our forts on the Rio Grande, and we have feared that the pirate may overhaul her. The colonel «aid he believed you had full power to go in pursuit.” “Of course I have. I have a right to -take any Mexican vessel 1 can find —just AS much right as any other vessel of war in the United States service.”

. “It would be a blessing to our people,” resumed Beecher, “if you could capture -that villain. But mind you —he is not a privateer —not by any means; he is a pirate of the blackest dye.” “I know him,” returned the captain, ■“and I have had my attention turned to him more than once before. I’ll hunt him up if possible, you may be assured.” the following morning all hands Ire called as soon as the day broke, 4Htd having informed them of the purpose iha had in hand, the captain ordered the •anchors up and sail made. The wind was moderate from the southward, and Howard laid his course to the eastward, initending for a while to keep the track of Teasels from New Orleans to Matamoras. Thus be stood on until near night, and :Juat as the sun was going down, a sail 'was discovered, which at length proved to &e a brig standing in toward the coast. Howard found her to be the store brig which was expected at Matamoras. Then Howard squared away and stood von. During the night a strict watch was v*kept up, but nothing was seen. On the : next morning, however, just as the men • were getting up from their breakfast, the • lookout at the foretopmast cross-tree reported a sail right ahead. In half an ifeour more it was made out to be a brig •tending to the southward. All sail was put upon the schooner, and at the end of an hour the stranger was found to be a vessel of war of some description, as her ports could be plainly seen. "She’s a Mexican. There’s no mistake about that,” said Lofton, who had been examining the stranger through his glass. “And if shre’s a Mexican, she must be Jtb* pirate,” added Howard. ‘The schooner was kept on, and in fifteen minutes more the' brig wore about and stood directly for her. The guns of the schooner were masked by sliding porta, though they were all ready to run out at a moment’s uotive. “She don’t take, I guess,” remarked Xiofton, as he noticed the movement of the Mexican. “But she hopes to take us, without ■doubt, " returned Howard, with a smile. "However, let her work awhile; we’ll be wire who she is before we make any decided movement.” The schooner was now standing due •oast, and the brig was nearly abreast of her. Thus matters rested for half an hour more, and then the brig was not over a mile distant. She hoisted the Mexican flag and fired a gun. “Isn’t that rather cool?” said Hart. “Rather,” returned Howard. “But if be knew who he’d fallen afoul of I’m thinking he’d feel not quite so cool. He takes us for one of the small transports on our way home. Mr. French, you may .open the arinchest and distribute the ammunition. and then open the magazine. Mr. Lofton, have all hands called, and prepare for action.” The captain took his glass and examined the brig once more; and as he turned again to his officers, his face wore an t«ager, gratified expression. L ! “It is Tudel’s vessel!” he said. “Mind —there’s no mistake about this. And If he’s not our’s before the sun sets, then I am very much mistaken as to our pow«r. Stand by now!”

. * By this time the brig was within half a mile, and had fallen upon the schooner’s quarter; all the men of the latter vessel liad armed themselves, and were by the funs, ready for the command of the moment. Howard ordered the flag to be run up, and in a moment after the Stars and Stripes flattered out to the breeze, the trig fired another gun, this time sending « round shot ploughing up the water •nder the schooner's stern. "I think our shot will reach her well gaid Howard, turning towards' French, the gunner. P “Yen, sir—you may swear to that afore « justice," returned the old salt. “Then stand by. We'll give ’em a taste our starboard battery first. Sheets, .there, fore and aft. St>nd by. Out with the guns!” This order was quickly obeyed, and as «oon as the guns wbre run out and leveled, and the priming applied, the matches were brought lip, and the captain was Informed that all was ready. “Then aim as quickly as possible. Helm easy. Round in on ,the sheets. ga —steady. 'Stand by!” . This movement ‘‘brought the sfhooner act'pss tlje.brig’s bows, fcnd the flfree brass guns upon ibe starboard side, which ir ore loaded with round «hot and A stand of grape, were quickjy alined, the fanner having order£ to fire as soon as he Aenld get loaded. It was but a moment's work to level the guns, and then the -iwMktcbes were applied. Aa soon as the -■MAa lltUd. lt could be teen that the

brig’s foreyard was carried away, and the maintopsail was well cut up. “By the mass, boys!” cried Howard, as he saw this, “she’s ours, and no mistake. Ha! there goes her fore yard—and around she goes into the wind! Be ready with that starboard broadside. In with the grape—let her come.” Howard bade his gunner to fire ■as quickly as possible, and he did so; and almost at the same moment the brig did the same thing. There was a "crashing sound on board the schooner, for a round shot had struck the starboard cathead, and had knocked it to splinters. And" there was a deep groan, too—for a man lay upon the forecastle weltering in his blood, and dying. The men gazed upon him—he was a brave and true manwhile one of his comrades held his head up. “Never mind me,” the noble fellow cried. “1 know you will avenge my death, so I leave you con ——” “Contentl he would have said," shouted the boatswain, as he let the dead man’s head back upon the deck, and then started to his feet. “Lay us alongside the villain now, sir. Lay us alongside, cap’n, and we’ll make quick work of the bloodthirsty dogs!” "Shall we carry — BIm — 5y the board?” the captain asked, in quick, thrilling tones. One simultaneous “yes” from the lips of the crew burst upon the air, and on the next moment the order was given for bringing the schooner to the wind, The brig now lay stern-to, and consequently could bring no guns to bear as the Yankees came iip. Howard brought his vessel handsomely up under the pirate’s quarter, and the graplings were thrown with such exact precision that” the schooner’s bows were stopped directly beneath the brig’s main chains.

Tt was but the work of a moment for the schooner’s crew to gain the deck of of the brig, and when once there they went into the work with a power of purpose which was irresistible. The Mexicans were bold men, but they could not withstand the strange, reckless bravery which met them now. The noble men of the Lone Star seemed almost like warriors inspired. Wherever their blows fell death was sure to follow, and ere long the enemy began to give way. From the first of the engagement Howard tried to find Jilok Tudel, and he succeeded at length in doing so; but ere they could cross their swords, some of the Mexicans cried out for quarter. “Never!” shouted Tudel, in blind rage. “Fight to the death, every man of you. By the cross, the first man who flinches shall fall by my own hand! Now, senor capitan, you have found me.” This had the effect of causing the fainting pirates to come np to the work again. As Tudel spoke that last sentence; he crossed swords with Clarence Howard; the pistols had all been tired, and the combat now was with cutlasses alone. At the first stroke Clarence knocked his antagonist’s sword down, and would have passed his own weapon through the villain’s body, had not one of the Mexican men, who chanced to stand near, knocked it down That moment would have been the young captain’s last but for the faithful Peter. The boy’s burning patriotism overcame all other considerations and seizing a pistol and cutlass, he leaped upon the pirate’s deck just in time to see his commander’s sword knocked down and of the point of the enemy’s sword at his breast With a lightning-like motion, the boy raised his pistol and shot the Mexican dead. Howard, with a nod of gratitude to his boy, returned to the conflict. Tudel had regained his guard, and his next blow wag a downward cut, aiming at his antagonist’s head. Quick as thought Clarence sprang forward and caught the coming blow upon his left arm, reaching, far enough in to take the hilt upon his arm instead of the blade. The movement was as unexpected as it was sudden, for the Mexican had never before thought of such a thing as warding a sword blow with the naked arm; the force of the blow staggered him, and with one smart blow of his pommel, Clarence felled him upon the deck. This was the signal for a renewed cry for quarter, and at the word from the Yankee captain, the combat ceased. Tudel had only been stunned by the effects of the blow, and as soon as he could be secifred, Howard turned his attention to the crew; the deck was all covered with blood, and the groans of the wounded and dying were loud and agonizing. “Take them as they come,” said Howard. “To those who suffer most, whether friend or foe, render the first assistance; the battle is ended, and we’may find use for mercy now.”

CHAPTER IV. As soon as the dead could be buried the brig was rendered fit for sailing, and having put a crew on board sufficient to sail her, Captain Howard shaped his course for Galveston. The prisoners were all confined on board the schooner, where most of them spent their time in cursing their captors. .lilok Tudel was a man not fnr from forty years of age, with a complexion almost as dark as an Indian’s. He was a lepero by birth and education, and after many years of villainy upon the land, he betook himself to the waters of the' gulf as a more extended and profitable field of labor. He was confined upon the after part of the berth-deck, and he might have been allowed the freedom of the sehoouechtul he not made use of the most murderous threats when he Was first confined. Clarence Howard gazed upon this man, and wondered if it was possible that Antonio St Marc had agreed that his sweet child should marry with such a being. He had begun to doubt the truth of the wandering woman’s assertions when new proof came from the man’s own lips. One afternoon the young captain went down upou the berth-deck to see how his prisoner came on, and after he had gazed awhile upon Tudel, and was upon the point of turning away, the latter spoke: “Sendr capltan,” he said, “what do you mean to do with me ?” / , “I mean to deliver you up to the au-

thoritles at Galveston,” was Howard*! reply. “But there is no military station there.” “There is enough for our purpose.’ ’ “But look ye, senor —give me my liberty, and I swear to you that three Americans shall be given up to you in exchange.” "But why should I set you at liberty more than the rest of my prisoners?’* “Fpr a very good reason, senor. I am rich enough now to live without more labor, so if I give you my promise that I will not trouble your countrymen any piore, circumstances will not force me to break my word. And there is another reason, senor, which, if you are a reasonable man and possess a kind heart, will move you. In the city of my home there is a fair maiden who is waiting anxiously the return of her lover. She asks even now for the husband whom you would keep from her.” “Ah, senor,” uttered Clarence, with a strangely fluttering heart, “and are you sure the maiden waits for you?” “f am, senor capitan.” “Is she a young girl, or have your affections fallen upon one near your own age?" asked Clarence, lightly. “In our land we do not force the cooler matrons of advanced years into the silken bonds. No, senor—she is no,t only a young girl, but one of the most lovely in Vera Cruz. Perhaps you may have heard of the Senor Antonio St. Marc?” "I have heard of him,” was Clarence’s reply, given in a calm, low tone, for he -would not reveal his own feelings in th« matter. “He is a very wealthy man, if I mistake not.” • “Yes, senor—not only wealthy, but of much Influence. If you will set ine free, you shall have three American prisoners in exchange.” “I don't wish to pry into your secrets, senor,” returned Howard; "hut still it appears to me that the maiden has chosen rather strangely.” “Eh?” ' “You cannot fail to understand me,” resumed the young captain, unmoved. “Surely your past life has not been one to attract respect.” For the moment Tudel seemed inclined to be angry at this, but he quickly overcame tiie emotion, and assuming a smile, he said

“O, you don’t understand the nature of our impulsive, warm-hearted girls. If a man is brave and true, they seldom ask whether he stained his sword on the field, chapparal, or on the sea. But you will exchange me!” “Where?” “Why—you have my word that three prisoners shall be released the moment I reach Vera Cruz.” “I rather guess I shall leave that matter to be decided by our Supreme Court at Galveston/’ “Eh? Your Supreme—Court? What do you mean by that?” “Simply that we are not in the habit of reckoning pirates exactly in the same light that we do prisoners of war.” “Pirates, senor!” gasped the wretch, turning pale. “Y'oii do not mean that you regard be as such?” “Upon my soul, Jilok Tudel. I cannot regard you as anything else.” “But —but —I have a regular commission from my government.” “Perhaps you have —and yet you are but a pirate, after alb You have been only a pirate these six or seven years. We will place you in the keeping of the authorities at Galveston, and if you can make them believe that you are an honest man, you are at liberty to do so.” The captive pirate chieftain uttered some dreadful threats as his captor turned away, but they were not noticed. Galveston Island had been reported, and before dark the schooner was safely anchored in the bay, with her prize alongside; and as soon as it became known on shore that the notorious pirate had been captured, the water’s edge was lined -with enthusiastic men, women and children, who came down to make known their opinion in the matter, by shouting and throwing iip hats and kerchiefs, and other demonstrations. Captain Howard went on shore and reported his success, and then returned to his schooner. He went down upon the berth-deck and saw that Tudel was safe, aud having been assured that ths rest of the prisoners were likewise safe, and having given orders for the keeping up of a strict guard during the night, he retired to his cabin. The schooner was anchored about half a mile from the shore, and the sentinels had strict orders to keep all boats off during the night*.. It was near midnight, and yet the young captain sat at his table engaged in reading the newspapers. There was much of exciting nows that interested him, and he thought not of his bed. He sat thus, just finishing a long article on the subject of the war, when he thought he heard a dipping sound close under the stern He arose and went to the after part of the cabin, and opened one of the windows and looked out; the moon was hidden behind a dark mass of clouds, and the water was dgrk; though an object of any respectable size could have been seen at some distance. He looked carefully about upon the surface of the water, but he could see nothing.

There was a hanging lamp in the cabin, and having lowered this so that the flame gave but a faint glimmer, the captain turned in He had hardly placed his head upon his pillow when he was startled by hearing another unusual sound in the water under the stem. lie knew this eould' be no ripple of the waves, and quickly leaping from his berth he sprang to the window and looked out again. Howard could plainly see „a dim object moving away from the vessel'. He sprang back to his berth and seized his pistols, but before he could regain the window, the lookout the suspicious object. However, the capttfin hastened to the window and cried out himself; he was sure now that it was a man swimming away. B “Stop! stop!” he cried. “Stop, or I’ll shoot you!” But the object did not stop. On the contrary, it 'moved off with increased speed, so that there was no more doubt about its identity. The captain fined both his pistols, blit without seeming effect. Howard now rushed on deck to find what was the mattbr, and found some halfdozen of the watch gazing over the taffrail. “What is it?” the captain cried, as he came up. “Fire! fire!—down into the cutter and bring it alongside—quirk! Mr. Hart, are your prisoners all safe?” “Yes, one of them.” “And where is Tudel? Is he, too, safe?” “Nathans is wdth him, sir,” returned Hart. “Somebody is leaving the schooner.

Man the cutter, sir, at once, and I will go below and see Nathans." Thus streaking—three muskets having boon fired at the departing object—Captain Howard hastened below, going down by way of the main hatch. He had not got more than half way down before he discovered that there was no light upon the desk, the great lantern which usually burned close by the hatchway having gone out. At the same moment, too. he was run into by some one who was coming up front below. “Who's. this?” asked Howard. “It’s me, sir," uttered a frightened voice. “And who is me?” “Jackson, sir. The lantern's gone out, and I was coming up to see what was the matter.” “Then jump to the binnacle and get a light at once and bring it down hare. Nathans! Nathans! Nathans! Good heavens! where is the man? Make hgste with that lantern! Come—bear a hand!” (To be continued.)