TRUE TALES OF PLUCK AND DARING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 41, 28 May 1910, Page 12

TRUE TALES OF PLUCK AND DARING

HOW "WHISTLING AMBROSE" I POUND HIS LONG-LOST ' BROTHER. I When, during the war between; America and Mexico in the 'forties, the \ news came to England that a certain! frigate, Hying the iStars and Stripes, had ' been captured iby a couple of Mexican men-of-war. and many of the crew cast into prison, it threw a black shadow 1 over a certain house in Hull; for. amongst the prisoners was Leake, the -son of an old Hul' , -i\ popularly known as "Old Ambrose,' who, having emigrated to America, had enlisted in the American navy. Anxious"ly "Old Ambrose" and his second son waited for further news, bu! r. ->:;o came. ( Then it was th.it the u'i:.r.:u' son Ambrose, decided to uo to X.-.v Yi. with a view to finding out what lie could' of his missiiw brother; for their father was ailing, and wanted to see his eldest boy before he died. At Xew York Ambrose learned that William was not dead, but a prisoner, and so he determined •to ,go to Vera Cruz, endeavor to find out his brothers .whereabouts, and try to. ell'eet his release. A VALUABLE AUXILIARY. Arriving at Vera Cruz, he commenced' to make cautious enquiries. The Mexicans are a suspicious people, and at that: time were ready to wreak their venge-l ance on any man who was merely suspected of being a spy. But young Leake was able to satisfy all enquiries by showing his papers, in addition, he gained a certain amount of popularity at thej little posada(inn) at which -he stayed, - for he was a young man of unfailing) cheerfulness and good nature, and he had a valuable auxiliary in a tin whistle which he always carried with him, and on "whose aid he greatly relied in the effort he was about to make to .find his! brother.

For some time he stayed in Vera Cruz, learning all he could about the prisons in Which the American men-of-war's men were incarcerated. Then, carrying his tin whistle, he wandered from gaol to gaol like King Richard's faithful minstrel, playing his brother's favorite airs in the hope that the prisoner would hear him and be able to communicate with him. For three months he wandered from village to village and from town to town, but without any success. One evening, however, tired out and sad at heart, he came to a small town, sat down in front of a posada, and began to play on his whistle in anything but a cheerful mood. 'Some of the muleteers and others with whom he had travelled during the day gathered about him and listened to the music.

FATHER PATRICIO'S KINDLY HELP. Among the number was a priest, who, after Leake had finished playing ''Kath-' leen Mavourneen," spoke to him. Ambrose discovered that the priest was an Irishman, and, being attracted by his friendliness- and honesty, told him why he -was wandering through Mexico. Father Patricio, for such was the priest's name, said that as Leake was on bis way to Tixtla ? where his &«me was, lie would give him a note to the keeper of a posada near the prison there, who would help him. Two days later Leake found himself at Tixtla.' Next morning he took a stroll round the town. When he returned he saw a number of toy ships displayed at the prisonmate, and, on asking what thev were (there for, was tolil that they were being sold for the benefit of the American bluejackets who had made them, and who were in need of money.

Several days later Leake noticed some fresh sea-craft outside rtlte prison gate, and stopped to look at them. Great was his surprise to find among the rest a trim, Imnpie-rigged ship, evidently of British Imikl. hearing' the name "Old Amhrose." Could this ibe a mere coincidence? Controlling his excitement as •best 'he could, he immediately purchased the boat and carried it into the posada, to examine it at his leisure.

"FOUND AT LAST." It was fixed an a- little cradle to keep it upright, and wnen this was removed Ambrose, to his intense delight, discovered on tdie stern-post the words, ''Made iby W. Leake." with the date! ''•Tit's Will—Jound at last!" exclaimed the overjoyed wanderer, hardly able to restrain his feelings. His brother had recognised his playing, and this was his way°of making himself known.

What was the best thing to do next';j Leake hit upon the following .plan. He] dropped the mttie shin in the presence of the landlord, as though by accident. The next morning he remarked, casually, "I wonder if I sent my little ship into the prison, if the maker of it could put the bowsprit to rights, I will give a trifle to. liave it done." ''Of course hej would," replied the host. "I will ask the gatekeeper to take it in. if you like." | r In the meantime Leake had prised up one of the little hatches and carved on the under side of it, "A.L. of Hull," and then replaced it. The model.was duly sent into the prison again, and when finished, 'there, pinned to the wood, was a little note: "If a man sits by you and offers you his mug to drink, trust hiin." The following evening, as Leake sat in front of the posada, a man did offer him his tankard to drink from. He ultiltelv proved 'to foe one of the warders.

A SUCCESSFUL PLAN. The upshot of their taik and plans was that early one morning minam I Leake secreted 'ihimself among the sacks in the cart of an old woman and her son who were in the habit of calling two or three times a week at the prison with vegetables. For two -whole days he lay hidden in a wood while the country was scoured for him in all directions. Then he managed to get into the house of Father Patricio, who had been informed of their plans and expressed his willingness to help ithem. Finally, after a, consultation, Ambrose proceeded to Acapulco and made arrangements for the reception of his brother, who followed ■with a mule train, disguised as a deaf and dumb monk, and arrived a few days later. All' had none excellently well thus far. even to ibhe extent of finding a British ship which had a berth waiting for both of them. But, unfortunately, at the last moment the discretion which had served .them so well all through seemed to forsake them. DISCOVERED! When on their w:av to the boat which was to put them on board the Maul of Perth thev forgot themselves and began to -talk. Tt was dark, and thev probably thotHit no one would hear. But it happened that a man who had travelled with the supposed deaf and dumb monk, and knew him again, was struck by the curious circumstance tihait he had sml-j denly found his tongue and spoke like the 'Americans. Instantly he raised an alarm. The brothers, seeing that they had betrayed \ themselves, made a dash for the boat 'WL.-iSome of muleteers"and |~ff *, the ship. Clambering in, they at once •pushed off. Barely had they got two lengths away, however, ere an excited crowd collected on the beach, shouting ' threats at .them and throwing stones. Two or three boats were quickly manned, and a. spirited pursuit en'Mjedi But the

rowers, although they seemed to be gaining for a time, did not prove to possess the staying powers of the British tars, and were soon outdistanced. All danger, however, was not yet over, for before the .Maid of Perth *had got well under way a Mexican sloop-of-war was seen to be making ready to give chase. Matters for a while looked serious, the, loop sending! shot after shot whizzing after the Maid of Perth, but, as goocf luck would have it, without hitting her. This proved to be the last danger the brothers, thus strangely reunited, had to undergo. After a quick pas-'-ai-e they reached home, to find their father still 'in the land of the living, and overjoyed, needless to say. to see them both safe and sound.—Tit-Bits.