Alexander Blackheart's revenge, and its consequences

Preface

Authors of Fiction, as a general thing, have but two objects in view. namely, Fame and Wealth. It may be well enough to hare these two objects, but when an Author stops here he is unworthy f either

To do good, or at least to try and present some wholesome doctrine in an attractive manner, should be the chief object; and, if an Author gains Fame or Wealth thereby, he is deserving of it.

I have tried, in this little work, to show the evil consequences oj Revenge, by taking incidents that I have read and arranging them so as to form the story that 1 now present to the public.

If by reading this little ivork, any one is lead to stop and consider before he commits some rash act. that by so doing he may bring ruin upon himself and others, and will obey the voice of conscience, the Author^ of this work has not labored in vain. ' v g BURCH

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year BY M. V. B. BUK^II, 1. the CLERK'8 On.,: 0> r ,: DISTRICT .',„ - oh M ^TEE. I »TR1C1

Of MICHIGAN.

ALEXANDER BLACKHEART'S REVENGE.

CHAPTER I. The Two MZescttei

T7IND reader will you come with me, IV And let your fancy roam.

Upon the plains of New South Wales, The convicts' prison- home 1

If so. I'll tell to you a tale

That will repay the time, That you do spend in reading it —

I'll tell it, too, in Rhyme !

In eighteen hundred thirty-eight,

Not far from Sidney town, There was a band of men at work

Though fierce the sun beat down. Upon their almost naked forms.

The sun did send its heat; And as the burning sand they trod

Oh, it seemed hard to see them toil

Upon this sultry day; Although they were all criminals.

And had gone far estrav.

It vvas in vain to cry or groan —

They were beyond all aid ; And if they did a moment lag.

The whip was on them laid.

There was but two in all this band,

Of thirty men or more, But looked as though th y well deserved

This punishment so sore.

-But these two men, a stranger would,

( If he can read man's face.) Quickly say, this prison-land

Was not their proper place.

The eldest one of these two men,

Was nearlv thirty -five, His health was good. hi. limbs were strong

In spite of his hard lite.

Not so the yountrer of the two,

Whose years were less bv t n ; He looked as though the hoe and spade

Should be chang'd for the pen.

John Waldo was the strong man's name,

If I remember right.

And that of his companion was

Something like Frederic White.

Yes, Frederic was the young man's name ;

And I remember now, What a despairing look there was

Upon his youthful brow.

He was not us'd to work like this,

Was very evident ; He told the overseer so,

But he would not relent.

" You shall keep up, you thievish knave,"

Was the harsh man's reply ; " Have mercy," cried the trembling youth,

" Or I will surely die."

As higher in the heavens rose

The dreadful, burning sun, Young Frederic's strength forsook him quite —

His mind began to run. il I'm going home," he wildly cried,

" T<> my old home so sweet ! "

And now, completely overcome,

Fell fainting at John's feet.

Ere John could raise young Frederic up,

And take him from the place, The overseer in ureat rage

Did strike him in the face. '• Get, up, you lazy vagabond,

I've seen enough of this ; Get up, I sav, or soon you'll feel

A blow from my bare list."

But. ere he could draw back and strike,

John gave him such a blow, Thar laid him prostrate on the ground

Beside his victim low. kw What means this interference, sir,

Between me and this man ? "

The enraged overseer cried,

As on his feet he sprang.

Bl.AOKHRARTS REVKMiK.

'* It means," was fearless John's reply,

" That I'll not stand and see You beat this helpless young man here,

While there is life in me.

You would not let the poor man rest,

You knew he was not well ; Yet, tiger-like, you on him sprang,

When in a swoon he fell ! " •

" You wretched villain, you'll repent,

For talking thus to me, As prostrate as this sneaking knave,

You very soon shall he !"

Then throwing off his coat and vest,

Likewise his old straw hat ; And as he aimed a blow, he said :

" Sir, for your pains, take that !"

"And that, for yours !" was John's reply

As he struck off the blow, And, in another instant more.

Knocked down his cruel foe.

" Help ! help !" resounded thro' the air

As off the coward ran, And loudly did the convicts laugh,

At the now vanquish'd man.

But there was cow no need to cry,

For John did not pursue ; And, ere the wretch had run a rod.

To Frederic's aid he flew.

He took young Frederic in his arms,

And carried him away; Beneath a cool and shady tree

The faithful youth he lay.

While John was bathing Frederic's face.

He was surprised to see, The Governor come riding up,

And stop beneath the tree.

" What caused the outcry that I heard,

A moment's time ago?

I thought I heard a cry for help.

Sir, tell me what you know ! "

" Kind sir," began our trembling John.

" This youth that's lying here,. Fell fainting a short time ago —

He's dying now I fear.

And as he fell, the cruel man,

That oversees this band, Flew in a rage, and like a fiend

Did strike this helpless man."

'• This cruel act enraged me so,

I lost all self-command, And live or die, I did resolve

Between these men to stand.

As soon as I had thus resolved,

He drew to strike a blow.

But the next instant he did fall

Beside his victim low !

; ' Enraged at this he sprang at me,

With, all his rai^ht and main ; But finding tha r he was well beat.

He roared with rage and pain.

It was his cry your Lordship heard,

Which called you from your way, And oh, kind sir, protect this youth,

From this man's cruel sway."

" If what you say I find to be.

Upon inquiry, true.

I will of course grant your request

And punish the man, too.

But if I iind that you're the oue

That's made the mischief here, You sadly will rue this dny's work,

But where's the overseer ?"

But while this taik was going on,

Under the shady tree, The overseer remained not quiet,

As we shall quickly see.

Burning with malice and with rage.

And thinking naught but ill, He went and called upon the guard

To execute his will.

His bloody, face full well did show,

His treatment at John's hands.

And soon the guards were on their way

To do this fiend's commands.

Sure of success, he led the men

Where he was so well beat Not dreaming that 'twas possible

To fail of vengeance sweet.

<; Here is the rascal, bind him fast —

Guards do your duty well !

We'll teach this man a lesson that

Will last him a good spell ! "

With these fierce words. he sprang at John.

And struck him to the ground.

Before he knew the Governor

Was any where around.

" Not quite so fast, sir, if you please,

I'll have a word to say : And if you have no good excuse,

You will soon rue this day ! "

Thus spoke the noble Governor,

And in a moment more.

The overseer's hands were raised.

His mercy to implore.

' I did not know that you were here." He fault' ringly began :

' So I should judge !" was the reply, ' k But, sir. what have you done ?"

1 I tried to whip young Frederic White.

To make him go to work.

Then this rebellions convict, sir, Fought fiercely for the shirk !"

BLACK UKAKT S REVENGK

'• You wretched man, you know you lie I

You know that he's no shirk ; You know that he is very sick.

And is not tit to work.

knowing this, you. like a fiend,

Did strike this fainting youtlj,; Then this brave convict interfered ;

Sir. is not this the truth l\

•■ It is. your Lordship, but — I — I.

Do beg your pardon, air,"

Hep lied the wretch, who trembling stood.

Too terrified to stir.

" My pardon I do not often give.

To such a heartless one ; And, as an Overseer, sir,

Your services are done !"

With these stern words he sent the guard.

Off with the wretched man, Bound with the cords he brought lor Join

rightly around his hands.

Then turning to the fainting youth,

Who still did deathlike lay.

He looked at the youth's pallid face.

And then to John did say :

" I see that you have told the truth,

About this sad affair : And I am very glad that you,

To interfere did dare.

|The wretched man I've sent away,

Shall dearly for this pay !

But what to do with this poor man, I know not what to say.

'He must have aid. 'tis very plain,

Or he will surely die ; | He has a dreadful fever now,

His pulse runs very high.

The Hospital, I hear, is full.

So he can not go there ; I know not what the youth will do.

Good nurses are so rare."

" Kind sir, if you will give me. leave,

I'll nurse this youth with care ; | As nurse I've often been employed,

He can my cabin share." '• That : I will very gladiy do,"

He quickly did reply ; "And I a Doctor soon will send,

Aud everything supply !"

John then took Frederic in his arms,

And bore him to his home : : He had recovered from his swoon,

Bur his mind still did roam. !" If these two men are criminals,

1 can not read aright,"

Was Sir George Gipp's emphatic words,

Ere John was out of sight.