American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-05-03

ioo'n VI tue ouldinS was thronged with seafarinl
men OF allconditons and descriptions. The savage
appearance they presented, almost chilled nv blood
! The scowllng looks that many of them gave me
made me start back and shudder at the hideou.
group. Nearly all of them were engaged 10 close
and earnest conversation but an occasional glance
from beneath pair OF dark, bushy eyebrows to-
wards the corner in which had seated myself
made my situation extremely uncomfortable. Be
Ing totally Unused to such desperate looking beings
scarcely knew how to conduct myself
II was now nearly twelve O'Clock. requested
the landlord TO shew me to bed. He accordingl,
ushered me into apartment where there were
TWO, but, on my desiring room to myself, he tole
me in broken English, that he could not accommo
date me with one. Being more unwilling to turr
out at that late hour in search of better lodging.
than TO remain where was, took the candle from
him. and hastily throwing off my clothes, laid down
pair OF pistols which | had the precaution to pur
chase before my arrival in New Orleans, we're placed
under my pillow, and in that situation fell asleep
| had slept about an hour when was reused by the
noise made by two i'll looking fellows who entered
the room and prepared for bed. l counterieitee
sleep bu. kept one eye partly ope, in order to dis
cover something OF their character, and to protec
myself from any midnight violence, placed my hant
upon pistol. They conyersed at intervals ir
French, but what they said was so unconnected tha
could make but little of it. One of Them reco
lect, as he sat down upon the side of his bed ane
rested his head upon his hand, inquired. Qu'eltt
est tres richie! .dres uu Ses armies ?' she i.
richly freighted-have you her arms ? I" Non,
replied the other, "mais on dit g'eile men qut
|pen." no, but they say she has but few.j A few
minutes aterward, as he rose to get into bed he OBJ
served me and coming up exclaimed, Qu'ar0n.
nous tci! C'est un stranger 20 who have we here
"a Stranger and turning round to his companion
babe him Iaisez." [hush, got into bed am
both were soon asleep.
| Early in the morning sailed OUT intending i
possible, TO find the residence of my friend Mr.
p, but knew not where or to whom to apply
| for information of him. My room mates were III
before me; but as stroed along the wharyes saw
them busiy engaged IN bending the sails of small
sharp built schooner with raking masts. Their APP
pearance was considerably improved from what il
was the night before, being dressed in clean sui
that seemed suffering somewhat from the greasy
condition OF the masts and yards. The whole ap.
prarance OF the vessel was remarkably nice, and
stepped on board. To my surprise, the sailors re.
cognizsd me aud Immediately descended. Address
ing me very politely they inquired my business
told them was in search of Mr. P, whom
supposed was then in New Orleans and that | in
tended, should tie so fortunate as to meet him, te
ship in o. his vessels One of them replied
hat he was we'll acquainted with MIR P, tina
he had sailed Tor HIM on many voyages, and that he
had ieit New Orleans a week before, but with the
depreciation of returning in about two months.
| This Information damped my spirits considerably
i | had lett to find birth in the frs
vessel could | had just resolved on this In my
mind as one OF the sailors invited me 10 ship OF
board their schooner. 1t was matter of bu. little
importance, where sailed so without inquiring fur
ther, and in TACT without asking question, engag
led to become their shlptnate. A paper was pro
duced which signed without reading. and We al
three walked up to our lodgings. The schoone
i was to sail at noon, but was repaired at any mo
. ment. paid my reckoning at the Inn, and will
seve' al OF the crew, went board in a state of in
toxication. AT the appointed time we spread on
canvass to the breeze and sailed down the river.
II A brig had sailed ali hour or two before us TO
i NewYork. Our clearance was for Aiyarado, ant
we were il ballast. The crew consisted of nineteen
men number which, Tor SO small vessel aston
shed me. When we reached the Gulf Of Mexic,
j our course must have been due cast for we KEEP
the brig before us the whole time. When we hat
lost sight OF land the appearance OF the vessel wa
: very much altered. Arms OF various kinds wer
brought from below, and each man was Furnished
with musket, pair OF pistols and a cutlass Tw'
swye!s were mounted at either bow Of the schuone
|, and six FOUNDER al the stern | remt mbered nav
:, ing heard Of pracies on the passages to and from
j New Orleans. and supposed these were necessar
precautions to repel any attacks OF the kind. Tn
t schooner was renal kably fast saiier, and hy fur
a ing several oil her sails she managed keep to lee
ward Of the brig
s. week, however, brought us off The coast OF Cuba
: The brig with which she sailed in company still
lin sight An unusual hustle was on board, and CIV
c cry man armed himself-The swvels were heagil
loaded and was stationed near to one OF them Th
captain ordered several hands alolt to spread ever
d inch Of canvass. few moments told the result
: The schooner shot through the waller like an arrow
d through the air, and in half hour were alon
] side oil The brig. The sun shane with burning hea
and nearly all her hands were below 1t was no
i till then it flashed across my mind, my being in