American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1825-12-06
Volume Nv.

NSh, my youHR spark odiu tHt plfa$e, aQ~
dressing me, "what say you to it i! are you going
to be reasonable, and give up the gold are you
ready to take trip to Davy Jones's locker in the
wake of your CaptanP You see there is no sham
ming here" "You forget" said another voice,
that he didn't see the fun at all. l doused his
glims with the fash of my cracker, when thought
had sent the slugs through his ubberly brains 1
can do that yet but in the mean time since I've
darkened his daylights, i, is but fair set them to
rights again. Hand here that culass of yours,
Martinique, and I'll give him touch of il
over he lids; I'll soon let in the light and doctor
him to his hearts content"- With shudder,
stood expecting to feel The sharp edge OF The weap
on drawn across my eyes, when their Captain inter-
fered. "Avast bit, Derrick let the poor DEVILS
blinkets alone while he tells US where the sinners
are to be got" l now related the circumstance Of
my having been picked up at sea that had been
made mate at Savannah, and could know nothing
about the gold. tried TO convince them that only
la madman would risk his life to secrele property
from which he could reap no benefit. But might
have saved my pains was more believed than
the Captain had been.--" It's all fair weather
story said the pirate " all harney but il won't GO
down see We are to get nothing by listening TO
your paavers. Walking the plank's d--d deal
TOO good-wel II have to go another tack with you
my spanker to bring you by the wind Here, Cuba,
and you Juan, cast single hitch round his head
with that line, make one end fast to the mast, and
heave the other end tight with the capstan; we'll
soon give him closehlling cap to make clear
breast in 70 The negroes accordingly approached
aud laid hands on me to lead me forward, when
llust at that critical juncture, the man at the mast
head sung out g A sail to leeward!" | was
leased and ordered below again, the were dis
persed TO rig out the studdng sails and clear for
ion, and in a short time felt from the motion Of
the ship that she was flying under press oil cam
vass
In state of no small anxiety, hoping that the
chase might prove cruiser, waited for hours,
listening to every thing that could indicate what
going on The bustle above had subsidized from
which inferred that the men were at their quar-.
ters; and | heard nothing but the steps OF their
commander as he paced fore and aft, coming to the
steersman At length bow-chaser was fred, af-
briet interval again repeated, and quick.
y answered with three cheets and broadside How
my heart beat with Joy at the sound All was now
hustle and confusion. Brosdsde after broadside
exchanged with fatal effect among the pirates; the
closeness and precision of whose fire by no means
equaed that OF theil adversaries. But to me the
groans Of their wounded delightful music, and
the crush OF the balls, as they tore through The side
of The vessel, filled me with ecstacy. The conflict
continued with unabaed fury for the pirates. aware
OF their fate if taken, fought with all the desperate
resolution of men reckless of death, till receiving
tremendous broadside that made the ship almost
heel gunnel in, terrible crash took place above,
and the cheering of her opponent made me suppose
that one Of our masts carried away. Our firing
now became slack, and soon ceased altogether. Still,
however. the uproar continued on deck-the hur-
red tramp oil feet running here and there-the clam.
our OF tongues-the bawling forth OF commands
which seemed not needed, ntermingled with hor-
rible oaths and imprecations, Al length, all this
disturbance ceased al once, and heard the stroke
OF oars alongside.
| now supposed that the pirates had surrendered,
and that the other party we're taking possession. 1
waited for some time surprised hat person came
below, till | thought felt the cabin filling with
smoke. All at once horrible suspicion rushed
across me, that the ship was on fire, and deserted
by her crew and that left, alone and helpless,
to be deyoured by the flames. Overcome with the
utter hopelessness of my situation, / staggered
against the side-my brain quite bewiidered, and
my heart swelling almost to sufiocation. tn a few
minutes | again became capable OF reilection-a
hope that might yot be perceived and rescued by
the other vessel, dared like ray OF light through
my mind | started up, and hurried on deck as fast
as my blindness would permit inquired aloud if
any person was on bosrd--but the groans Of some
dying wretch alone answered my demand. tried
10 run forward to the main deck but the wreck of
the fallen masts completely blocked up the way. I
therefore retraced my steps, Climbed to the hghese
part of the PROSTATE spar-wased a small fragment
of sail over my head by way oil signal and shout
ed with my whole force. Again and again ard
again repeated my cry, listening between whes
with breahless attention for the blessed sound of
human voice returning my cheer; but all si-
ence, save the audible pulsaiion OF my own heart
the fearful roaring and cracking of the flames
and the sputtering Kissing sound of the blazing tar
The ship had now swung round with her head To
the wind, and the excessive heat OF the smoke
ed me that the fire had gained the quater deck, and
was swiftly approaching: TO retain my situation was
no longer notwithstanding remained for me bur
to trust myself TO the waves before it had reached
the powder room. Without rejecting that was
only avoiding death for few moments longer, and