Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-12-10

'Captain Hardy had only Just rccov-
cred from n severe wound received in
tho chase at a smuggler, when secret
Information was given him concerning
The re-appearance Of the same vessel
within two leagues Of his station FOR
led in his previous attempt, though with
no loss OF honour, he determined this
time on more eficacious exertion; and,
tearing himself away from the arms Of
his ~disconsolatc wife, who now, more
han ever, despaired OF seeing him re-
turn in safety he once again took the
command OF his service-tried cutter. 1t
was night when they put off, and
blowing stIf1y from the shore, so
that they had much ado TO keep
WITHIN the bearing of headland, which
as lney were led To understand, cover
cd the position of tho sInuggiers. They
were not mistaken ~ her course; but,
on doubling the promontory, the object
OF their search Was no where visible.
Appraised OF their situation, the snug
glers had taken advantage OF the WIND
and put out TO sea. Disappointed. but
yet no hopeless Of success, . ardy, strI.
KING a random coirse, continued the
pursuit, and at break OF day, to his grea,
Joy came in sight Of the enemy. AT
noon he arrived within shot, and recei-
we'd immediate proof Ut the snuggier's
intention 10 risk an engagement. Eve
~ thing, indeed, had been favourable for
necessary preparation on the part oiths
latter, AID IL well directed ball from her
s%torncuaser brought down d sailor from
Inc rigging OF the Dragon. Hardy had
tho courage OF Il lion, but not, perhaps,
the coolness fitting a commander, and,
bearing onward beneath a heavy fire,
ne soon came along side the smuggler
liked the graphing iron with his
hand-and was the first to board her.
The captains met hand to hand: but,
alter a snort conflict, were separated in
the confusion OF the fray. Hardy's
swo,d, however, fell with mortal force
upon W Of his antagonists, and in the
course Of ten minutes the smuggler's
deck Was in the possession Of our Off
cors! Among The vanquished dead
which lay around, the Chief smuggler
aud several Of his crew were not 10 be
discovered: and the conquerors had
scarcely time 10 range tire deck, when
u shot from the Dragon struck Hardy,
aud the tight was renewed OH board his
W vessel. The contest, however,
was too unequal to he of long duration,
and the lawless captain, after a furious
resistance, was secured a prisoner. See
ing the impossibility Of making any
stand on board his W ship, he had ta-
ken advantage Of the smoke and con.
fusion, leaped into a boat at her unen-
gagged side, and, together with three of
his desperate comrades, had moved
round to the stern OF the Dragon, and
assembled her deck unobserved. Hardy
fell to rise no more, but, ere he breath
cd his last, the exuiting shout Of victo.
ry blessed his ears, aud he now only
desired to part from life upon tho deck
Of the Dragon. Having invoked the aid
of Heaven in behalf OF his beloved wife,
he would have gazed upon the captive
author of her WILDWOOD, but death
prevented it; and he closed his eyes for
ever, unknowing that he had been in
strumental to the seizure Of one, whom,
only a few years back, no had deeply
loved, and whose memory he had eve
fondly cherished.
Il need scarcely add that he had fall
en- by the hand OF his brother in-law-
the seIi-abandoned Darwell! Mrs. Har-
dy was among the first who saw the VIC
torious Dragon towing its prize into
port. But what, alas! was victory to
her? and where was she to find conso-
lation for the loss with which it had
been purchased? Death would most like
ly have relieved her from a ~prolongation
of her misery, if the last sad horror
which awaited her had not been suflic-
lent to deprive her of her reason. The
sight Of her husbands murderer effected
this; but she is now ignorant hat the
gibbeted bones Of a British smuggler
are those Of her once-loved brother!
You have seen the one sad object; if
you enter the private mad -house-,