The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-06-14
CAPT. BENEFITS NARRATIVES.

barbarians who infest the interior of Chi.
Ii, claiming authority under Spain,
but disowned by all civilized govern
men's. have recently been made public.
Capt. Bennett of tho ship Gosconda, late
ly ar. atNew- dford, Ms. had the misfor-
tune to fall into the hands of these mon-
sters in human shape. He has furnished
us with the following particulars Of his
capture, sufferings, and providential es-
cape from them. On the 9th of January.
capt. Bennett arrived and anchored IN.
der Point Romano, for the purpose OF
obtaining vegetables for his crew, most of
whom were sick with The scurvy. Early
the next morning he landed with one boat.
Seeing no inhabitants, he, with hi. boat
swain, went about half mile into the
country, when they were suddenly sur.
rounded by about 60 Spaniards, made
prisoners of,and sent under strong guard
Tor the interior. The rest Of the boats
crew seeing this, made for the boat and
fortunately escaped, one man only being
slightly wounded. Capt. d. was told by
the party who took him, that their pur-
pose was to convey him to the strong hold
OF Benebedas, twenty leagues in the inte-
rior. After excessive travelling, on mules,
distance of about 50miles, over noun
taiDs and through almost impossible
swamps, he arrived at the river Lebo, and
at dark was carried about miles from
the path into swamp, where he found an
encampmeht of about $50 soldiers, com.
manded by an old Cacique. This detach-
ment appeared to be wandering party.
having no provisions, and being Other
wise in wretched condition. Here was
held a council of war, and it was agreed
to put capt b. and his boatswain to death
Immediately, lest they should escape in
the night.
Capt.B demonstrated against this cruel
conduct, declaring to them that he was
an American; but to no purpose they on
" laughed at his entreaties, and asked if
capt Russell, y and capt. Clark, sc. were
not Americans ? Through the influence
ofan officer, however, with whom cap..
B. was acquainted, they agreed to spare
their lives until morning. Having put
strong guard (of about 2O)over them, the
soldiers went to their different watch
fires. Between tho hours of nine and
ten, the party were alarmed by the dis
charge OF about 100 carbines at not more
than Is yards distant. This fire pro-
ceeded from body Of Patriot troops, who
had come upon them by surprise, and on
their rising from the ground, the patriots
kept up constant fire, and cut them
down by dozens. Fortunately for capt.
b. his guard were all either killed,
wounded, or deserted, which gave him
chance to escape. Accordingly he and
his boatswain crawled under the cane
breaks about half mile and concealed
themselves. The firing continued about
three quarters of an hour. The attack
was so sudden that capt. B. could not
then learn by whom it was made, and
therefore thought it most prudent to keep
concealed, and il possible find his way
back to the ship.
Considering himself in great danger of
being discovered in his place of conceal
ment by the numerous hordes of dogs
that infest this country, capt. b. consulted
with his boatswain on the best measures
to be adopted. |. was concluded to en-
deavor to regain the sea shore, distant a.
bout 10 miles, as they judged they might
secrete themselves more securely among
the rocks that bordered on the sea. Ac.
cordingly, with this intent, they set for
ward, cropping their way Che night was
very dark) sometimes on then hands and
knees, over rocky mountains and swamps,
and through streams of water-5ruizins
and tearing their bodies in most shock.
ing manner; their only means of gnidng
their course was by following the current
of rivers.
Capt. B. relates tina, while fording a
river, they aroused the dogs in a camp al
few yards distance, and that they were
obliged to remain perfectly quiet in the
water for halt an hour, until all was again
still. AT day light, discovered the sea-
shore, and concealed themselves in ca
witty ofthe rocks, during the whole day.
As soon as IT was dark, commenced their
journey as nearly as they could calculate
for Point Romano, in hopes TO find the
ship etherc. After travelling the whole
night, encountering difficulties scarcely
less than those Of the night preceding,
at daylight inthe morning, arrived al the
top Of mountain, from which they dis
vered the point at which they left the
ship, | o miles distant. Fearful lest they
should again fallinto the hands of Bene.
bedas's men, they concealed themselves
among the rocks; but suffering much
from hunger, they resolved to put all at
hazard, and about 9 O'Clock renewed their