The Pirate's Gold by Gordon Stables

"Ay, at set of sun / The breeze will freshen when the day is done. / Sling on thy bugle; see that free from rust / My carbine-look springs worthy of my trust; / Be the edge sharpened of my boarding-brand, / And give the guard more room to fit my hand. / This let the armourer with speed dispose; / Last time it more fatigued my arm than foes. " / BYRON.

I had read books about Morgan before making Captain Reeves's acquaintance, but somehow, hearing the dreadful story told first-hand, as it were, from the log of one who had seen the many fearful tragedies, it seemed all the more realistic and awful.

It was some time before I fell asleep that night, for from thinking of the atrocities committed by pirates my mind turned to the fearful and indescribable cruelties perpetrated upon British women and children in the inhuman Indian Mutiny.

Naturally enough there arose a question that did not tend towards inducing

"Tired Nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep" -- namely, Why should God, our God, permit such cruelties to overtake innocent girls and little children? But, after all, what are we that we should dare to arraign the Maker of heaven and earth before the tribunal of our imperfect knowledge? I live in hope -- a hope which nothing, I trust, shall ever be able to take from me -- that all shall yet be revealed in another and a better world; all made clear as the noonday sun.

When I went over next evening, accompanied by Dash as usual, I found all the trees lit up as they had been on the first night I had wandered hither.

Don Miguel had, therefore, I felt sure, already arrived. Nor was I mistaken.

Here he was, looking as bold, handsome, and interesting as ever, only sun-browned beyond all belief: for betwixt the Spanish blood or skin and the sun an affinity seems to exist.

Miguel hastened to shake hands with me.

"You look happy and jolly," I said.

"Yes, and I am happy and jolly," he replied. "Who wouldn't be who has been favoured as I have been? My harvest was but a holiday and all the girls fell in love with me. I had plenty to eat and drink, and every evening they all danced while I played. Then, to finish off, we had a ball -- girls all in white, lads mostly in the kilt, and a nice string band; so I myself could dance, and did dance till morning light.

"They all said I was the merriest minister ever they had met, and if only their own parish parson came to a dance now and then, and didn't carry quite so long a face, they would go to his church much oftener than they did."

"Bravo, Miguel! " I replied. "Well, I for one am happy to see you; and I am like yourself, for I do not believe we were sent into this world to moan and groan, and shake our faces from side to side till they look as long as to-day and to-morrow."

"Ah, well," I added, "I am sure you will give us a song to-night."

"That will I, with the greatest of pleasure."

"But dinner first," cried Captain Reeves, laughing. "The mind, you know, takes its cue from the state of the body."

And a most tasteful and delightful little dinner it was which was now placed on the captain's hospitable board, and everybody, including even Mina, did ample justice to it.

I have always thought that the violin and the Spanish guitar were made for each other -- made to be wedded to each other, as it were, in sweet accord. I could not help thinking so to-night, as the soft, delightful music -- madly merry one minute, tender and plaintive next -- filled all the room.

But the instruments were laid aside at last, and then, encouraged by a few questions put to him by Captain Reeves and Mina, Miguel entertained us with a delightful narrative of harvest life at "An Auld Fairm Toon. " That is the quaint title he gave it.

It was indeed a laughable and delightful yarn, and had I been able to take it down just as it fell from the young fellow's lips, it should have been all in print somewhere ere now.