Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-02-17
THE MUTINY.

VNoO 1otNtS
on the borders of the Sound, in the
state of Connecticut l was iond OF
the water; and as the master OF the
family in which / was an inmate pos
sessed a small sail boat, | used fire
a1uently to go on the Sound with it.
One afternoon, in the latter part ofAu
gust, as | was walking on the shore,
I~perceived a brig, apparently steer
ing for the city OF New York. AS 1t
was near evening. the wind light and
the tide a head, she anchored las sop
posed. for the tnight) about three
miles distant from me, l had for some
time expected my dearest friend, the
Intended husband Of my sister, from
South America; and, dattcring my
self that he might perhaps be on board
of that very vessel, l determined to
take the boat. and 60 Oft to her. From
the lichtness of the wind, it was after
dark before l arrived alongside. The
moon was darkened at intervals, as
the clouds, coming slowly from the
south, passed over her: still she gave
a dim and uncertain light. No per
son being on deck, | supposed all
were engaged at their evening meal:
not wishing TO disturb them, 1 came
directly on board without mailing. As
/ reached the deck 1 was startled by
the sound of a violent scufiing below:
The cabin doors were partly open: l
stepped behind one o fthem, and look
ing through, SAN by the light OF a
lamp suspended from the ceiling, three
gentlemen struggling with more than
doubIetheir number of sailors. One OF
the three, snatching a cutlass that was
near, mAdea blow al II OF the sailors
and nearly severed his head from his
body. He had no further chance tor
defence: a pistol was fired at him-he
fell, and Instantly expired. The others
were soon overpowered, and immedl
ately bound. What were my sensa.
tions inrecognisingthe friend ofwhom
/ have spoken in one;ofthem! Ii was
plain that the crew had mutined; and,
from their conversation, | discovered
that the body sn the floor was that of
the captain The sense of my own
danger was absorbed in apprehension
for the fate Of my friend. Being an
armed, I had ZEN deferred from taking
apart in the conflict. If discovered,
/ should instantly be despatched as a
spy. / had but q moment to decide.
The crew were riflug the prisoners:
their backs were towards me. Could
Il but gain my boat, | might not only
save my own life, but possibly those
of the two others. With noiseless steps
] made the attempt: it succeeded, and,
with a beating heart, l unfastened the
boat. The tide drifted me slowly
a stern. and fer a few minutes my fate
was in suspense: if one of the crew
came on deck, l should be perceived,
pursued, AMI murdered. A large
black cloud pissed over the moon
when | was a few hundred yards
from the vessel, and, taking advantage
of the darkness; | sPreadthe sail, and
<as the wind now blew nobly, | ra.
pidly left her.
was about half q mile from the
when l heard a sudden plunge
"a the water. The conviction flashed
my mind that the murderers had
thru wn the captains body overheard,
and with agony, with breathless ca,
garnesss, ] listened for 4 repetition of
the sound. If | heard it again it
would prove hat all uccOu | could
bring would be too late-that C.
no longer existed. n groan of des
pair burst from me, when again the
splashing of the deep, as it received
another victim, was waited to my
ears. I ST. ldenIy recollected the man
who had been Killed by the captain;
might net this have been the second
body2-and with this idea hope again
revived in my breast. I listened in
tase,y:,the fatal soHnl came not again
sweeping across the waters. Every
nerve qulvered Wal excitation as ]
reached the land. Hastily securing
The boat, [ ran 10 the nearest house.
Aman " hom iwe'i knew dwclt there:
he was seated on the front step. il
the midst Of his family. "Smith,"
said /, "haYe ye1 any arms IN the