Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-12-21

went below, loaded my pistols, and concealed
them IN my breast, securing at the same time
all my money and papers, about nv person.
While thus employed, one of the cabn-boys
came down for spyglass, saying that a sail had
hove In sight TO windward. Upon this | fol-
lowed him up, and found the crew collected To-
gether in clainOurous consultation as to the
course they should follow. Some were for laying
to till she came down, g. take her ifa merchant
man; and it not, they could easily sheer of-but
this motion was soon overruled, By the majority,
who Judged it best to keep clear for fear OF acci
dents; accordingly all the spare convas was set,
aud we were soon gaining large before the wind.
but the Dart, though reckoned the first sailerout
ofClydc when close hauled on wind, was by
no means SO fleet when squared away and GO
ing free; She had now met with her match, for
the stranger was evidently gaining rapidly on us,
and IN two hours we saw 1t impossible for to
escape. The priest and were ordered down
with threat of instant death if we offered to
come on deck, or made an attempt to attract OBJ
seIvation.
now communicated to Isabella my appre-
tensions with respect to the crew, along with
my resolution to leave the vessel if the other
proved man ofwar. and earnestly advised both
her and the priest To take advantage of it also.
She thanked the with look and smile that
told me how sensible she was of the interest |
| felt IN her welfare, and expressed her willing
| ness to be guided by me i'm whatever way |
thought best.
| Shortly after we heard gun fired to bring us
to, and the Dart hailed and questioned as toner
port and destination. The answers, il appears,
| were thought evasiYe and unsatisfactory, for we
were ordered TO come close under the lcc-qnar-
ter OF his MaJesty's soop of war Tartar, while
thcy sent TO examine our papers. This was how
our only chance; aud resolved, that if the oHi-
Ger should not come below would force the
companion door, and claim his protection. But
was not put To this alternative. AS soon he
arrived, heard him desire the matches to be
taken of, and order his men to examine the
hold. The inspection did not satisfy him; for he
hailed the sioop, and reported that there were
Spanish goods on board which did not appear
in the manifest; ''Then remain on board, & keep
your stern lights burning all night, and take
charge of the ship" was te reply. In a state
OF Hksomc suspense, we remained nearly two
hours, expecting every minute to hear the oili-
GERS descending. At length, to our relief the
companion doors, were unlocked, and a young
man, attended by our Captain, entered the cabin
He looked surprised on seeing us, and bowling to
Isabella, apologiscd for intruding at such an un
seasonable hour. "But was not given To I'M
derstand," he added, 'stlat there were passen-
gers in the shp-prisoncrs should rather pro-
nouncc it, hiT. Malone; for you seem TO have
had them under lock and key, which is rather
L y
vine, Sir" he continued, motoning away the
bottles which the Captain was hastily placing on
the table-''no wine; and be pleased to SHOW me
your register and bill OF ladng.n
lie had not been long seated to inspect them,
when shutting and hurried sound of feet was
heard over head; ant! voice calling on Mr.. Duff
for assistance. show cd that some scufiic had Ia
ken place above. instantaneousiy we all started
10 our feet, and the lieutenant was in the act of
w ll.,I
round, observed Malone presenting a pistol
behind. W itii CRY OF warning, | threw my
self forward, ana had Just time 10 strike t.
weapon slightly aside when it went off The
ball narrowly missed the head of Duff, for whom
it had been aimed, but struck the priest im,ne-
iiateiy over the right eye, who, making one des-
pcratc and COW usive leap as high as the ceiIin.r
sunk down dead: and before the Captain could
pull out another, discharged the contents of
mine iuto his breast We then rushed upon
deck; but it was only to find the boats crew had
been mastered, and to behold the last of the men
tumbicd overheard Tie pirates then dispersed,
and exerted themselves in getting speedily under
way; while the boatswain sang ont to extinguish
the lanterns, that the Tartar might not be guided
by the lights.
''It's all over with u.s." exclaimed my cornpa-
MON: ''but follow me-we have one chance for
our lives yet Our boats is still towing astcrn;
do you throw yourself over, and swim till slide
down the painter and cut her adrift. Come
bear hand. and jump! don't you sec them hast
ening aft" and in an instant he pitched himself
off the tratlie, slid down the rope which held the
boat, and cast her loose. But this advice, how
ever udicious, 1t was impossible for me to follow
for, at that moment, repeated shreiSs from Is
abella put 10 flight every thought Tor my own in
dividual safety: /, therefore hurried back TO the
cabin, determined, that If | cnud not rescue her
along wIthIny self to remain and protect her with
my life.
Anu in happy lime arrived! The candles
were still burning on the table, and through, the
smoke of the pistols, which sin filled the cabin,
bcheld hers rliegne' la the arms ola negro
the identical slave vino has displayed such inso-
iencc III the early part o. the evening. With
one stroke Of the but end of nv pistol, frac-
turcd the cursed Villains scuIl--caucEt uu Isa
bella in my ar,ns-ran up the ladder, and had
nearly gained the side, when the boatswain, at
tracted by her white garments left the helm TO
intercept mc-and | saw the CLEAN of his
upllftcd Cnrlass on the point ofdescending when
he was suddenly struck down by some person
from behind. | did not stop TO discover who had
done me this good Office, but haling Duff and
ciaspiDg Isabella firmly 10 my heart, / plunged
into tine. v'atcr, followed by an unknown ally
with tC aid Ut my C0mnanioD, whom | now
found To- be John Willie, the mate we easily
managed 10 support our charge till the boat reach
ed u.s. When we found that the grenter part of the
men had been rescued in similar manner.
When the morning dawned, we perceived the
Dart, like spcCk in the horizon, and the soop
of war in close chase. Our attention was next
turned to sitndtion, which was by
no means enviablc; we had escaped, it is true