The Sloop Comet 'Piracy Plot' and the Boy Left Holding the Blame

Nathan B. Young, Jr., is at liberty once more, and until the time for the preliminary examination before Justice Caldwell on the charge of stealing from Charles F. Heath, he can do as he pleases. His bonds were only $500, and his father, who is an honest, worthy citizen, had no trouble in getting sureties, so that the boy might enjoy the fresh air.

There is considerable talk about the law of conspiracy applying to Young and Walter H. Erving in connection with the affair of the sloop Comet. Young, however, insists that there was no conspiracy, as he did not know of the plot in Erving's mind until after they landed at Bush Point. Capt. Fellows, of the sloop Comet, defends Young in the following words:

"As so much has been said in the papers about Mr. Nat Young's connection with the piracy plot on the sloop Comet, I desire to say it is doing the boy very great injustice. I do not think he had any more idea of the plan of Walter Erving than I had myself when we left Seattle. As soon as the plot was made known to him, he came and told me, as any friend would have done. When we arrived at home Mr. Young was at liberty to leave the sloop. The statement that he was locked up with Erving was incorrect. I think it only right and just that I should give these, the true facts in the case."

The statement Capt. Fellows makes above relative to Young not being locked in the cabin is at variance with what he told a Post-Intelligencer reporter when first interviewed.