Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-09-12

the horrors Of remorse, or the impre-
cations Of infideliiy. In this situation he
became acquainted with the commander
of a plratical vessel, who, in disguise
was obtaining provisions for cruise, and
somo additional companions,tC share with
him the spoils and the dangers ofthe pira.
cy. The idea Of engagingin such a hor-
revolving to Littleton, but the struggle
was neither long nor severe; the still
small voice of conscience was soon hush
ed, and recreant to all the ties of virtue,
country and kindred, ere the lapse oftwo
weeks, he found himself amid band OF
the most lawless Of maruaders, on board
Of an armed plratical vessel, in the gull
Of Mexico. The qualities possessed by
Littleton were soon discovered by this
desperate corps to be precisely those
that fitted him admirably for the enter
prizes in which they were engaged, and
he was unanimously elected mate to the
captain. The first vessel which they
fell in with, was small English mer-
chantman, called the Stork, bound to
Jamaica. BY hosting false colors the
vessels were LAID side by side, and the
captain of the Stork invited into the cabin
Of the Romney, where he was stabbed
to the heart. At the same moment his
vessel was boarded, and his unresisting
crow, few in numbers, and totally unpre-
pared for defence, were seized and put
in confinement. The moro valuable
part OF the cargo having been transfer
red to the Romney, Littleton proposed
that the crew Of the Stork should be
liberated, and suffered to proceed to
their place of destination. His propo-
sition was promptly and firmly rejected,
as fraught with danger to future success.
The Stork was accordingly scuttled, and
in a short time calmly sunk beneath the
waves. As she went down piercing
shrek Of suppication and despair from
the crew, broke upon the Stiffness Of the
scene, and carried daggers to the bosom
of Littleton. The body Of the murder
ed captain was brought on deck, and
plunged into the sea. His blood was
washed from the cabin floor, the vessel
righted, and in few hours every thing
was in readiness for another similar en-
terprize.
On the fifth day from this time, the
Romney fell in with the packet ship Gle
opatra, from New Orleans bound for
New York. This vessel was prepared
for resistance. The fire of the Romney
was returned, killing one of the pirates
and wounding several others A severe
and bloody contest ensued, which con-
liuued until after. sunset. The Captain
of the Romney now ordered his boats to
be prepared for boarding. The firing
from the Cleopatra ceased before the
boats reached her. 1t was, however,
out the calm which presages the coming
on Of the whirlwind. The crew of the
boats were manfu!ly met with swords, Pis-
tolls and dirks. The pirates with their
captain and Littleton, fought to despera-
ton. One Of the crew of the Cleopa-
ira, presented his pistol at the breast Of
Littleton, but 1t flashed; the poignard Of
the latter was instantly planted in his
breast, one deep groan succeeded, he
reeled, and as he fell overheard, the
bright moon presented to Liltleton,
face strongly resembling the father of
his once loved Elizabeth. He again
rushed to that part of the deck where
the battle was fiercest. As he approach
ed it, the contents of pistol were lodg-
ed in the head Of the Captain, who fell
lifeless, covered with wounds and blood.
At this moment the awful cry of the
ship is on fire." put an end to the fearful
strife. The pirates rushed to their boats
and the crew Of the Cleopatra to the ex-
Of the flames Littlelon,
followed by n wounded companion,
sprung into his boat, and was the first to
clear the burning vessel A light breeze
having sprung up soon after sunset, the
crew Of the Romney, who had been left
on board, resolved upon running off with
her and dividing the spoil already ac-
quired, among themselves. They had
accordingly hoisted all sail, and before
her boats had left the Cleopatra, she was
nearly two miles distant Litteton. had
but single oar in his boat. his conf pan
ion mortally wounded, was sinking under
the loss of blood, and in attempting to
rise, for the purpose Of taking the helm,
he tottered, fell overheard, and sunk
BY this time, the fire, whether communi-
Gated by accident, or by some Of the
passengers, for the purpose of escaping
a more horrible death, was beginning to
show itself on deck and among the rig
ging An immense column of black
smoke lowered like pyramid in the
moonlight depths of the sky while fierce
and brilliant streams OF flame issued from
the port holes and windows of the ship,
casting fearful glare upon the expanse