Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-07-04

Caoats
The Turkish fleet was lying quietly and unsus-
pcct'ngy at anchor off Sco, ON fine night, in the
month of June; the hour waxing very late; the
40 hee-shops board had ceased To give the chi
bouqucs aud cups; the Turks were reposiuu huddled
together like sheep. the decks; the Captain pacha
had retired to iIs splendid cabin, his officers had fol-
lowed bis examples regular watch being ever kept
on board Turkish man of war;, and q few Greek
lads still fingered on the upper deck, and, for want
OF better amusement, were watching the progress of
dark sail, which emerge from the Spulma.
dorc Islands, aud bear down the channel in our direc
ton She came Silly on, approaching nearer and
nearer, and We kept gazing at her, without appre-
hending any thing until another sail and ner
csivcd that the vessel we had first made out was
hauling up IN such manner would soon bring her
right alongside of our lofty threc-decker. I ibnn
pentured to go below and speak of the Turkish
officers. This gentleman cursed me for disturbing
him. and called me fool, and after spcakinp disre.
specially OF the mother that bore grumbled out
that they must be merchant vessels from Smvrpa
turned himself his other side, mud fell again to
sleep Still the suspicious ship came nearer and
nearer; spoke to some of the men, who replied much
IN the same manneras the officer had done. wonder
ing what had got into my head, be running about
6reakiog peoples rest ut such time of the night.
What more could do?
When again assembled the quarter deck, the YES.
sci was close astern-within hail. She was a large
brig, as black Satan, hut soul could sne on
board except the man Mt the helm. OF my own &C.
cord, cried to them To hold of, or he would be
split TO pieces against No was returned
but, favoured by a gentle breeze, came the brig
silent and sonbre rs the grave. Whilst fixing INV
eyes nteny on these IhcoInprchensibt, proceeSnrs
saw the helmsman leave his post, having secured
his tilier hard portthe next instant heard noise
Ike that made 10y the manning of onrs--thcn | saw
boat drop astern from under the lee of the brig
and erc could again draw breath, the brig struck
violently against side, to which (by means
could not then concevc) she became at once attach
ed like crab, or the many armed polypus. Before
one third OF the slumbcring Turks were aroused
before 4 dozen OF them had seized their pixies and
spars TO detach their dangerous neighbour-slc ex-
ploded!-A discharge-a fre-a shock, like the
mighty eruption of some vast Volcano rose from the
dark narrow bosom, and quickly she was scattered
IN minute fragments high in the astonished but pa
tid heavens, wide the sea, and among decks
and rlggng-destroyed herself in the of destroy
ing, though we could see the hands that had objected
and lmPelied the movement of the dreadful engine
pulling last away IN the boat. They might have
taken 1t more coolly for the Turks had other mai
tiers to think of than Pursuing them-Our ship wns
on blaze the flames were running like Lightning
along rggiag. and had seized on so many parts
at once, that the confused crew knew not where TO
direct their attention. The Captain Pacha rushed
upon deck like q man who had heard the sound of
the lasttrumpct: he did not however, lose much time
IN beating his forehead and tearing his beard; he
proceeded with great frmness of mind to give iudi
cious ORDERS but the fire too excessive to admit
OF any good being done. While he gave coil
mands to intercept the flames that were already
playing down the lntop mast, he heard the cry
from below, that the lower deck was on fire, and
numbers of his men rushed by him and leaped into
the sea 1t was in vain he ran from place TO plnce,
attempting by prayers and threats establish some
thing like a unity and purpose OF sction-the fellows
had lost their in their extreme fear.-It was
oil IN vain that he drew forth his splendid purse and
Scatteredns rich contents before themwhat mon
ey tn man who felt that ii nc fingered for minute he
should be sent into the the wings of gunpowder
Some Of our boats had caught fire; others were low
ored, and you VIII not wonder that these were ali
swamped or upset by the numbers that rushed into
them. Meanwhile the fire spread, and spread-at
each instant it might reach the powder gazines-l
the guns too, that all double shottcd or cramned
To- he fpl. nd fl,o Ha,
flashed over them, already Off at the intervals
with tremendous The wild shrieks curses
and Phrensled actions of some Of the crew, the
speechiess despair and stupid passvenes5 of otliers
and the shrlll reckless maniac laugh flor many Of
them wore downright mad were horrible To wit
ness. People may talk about Mahometan resignation
and the surprising Influence ofther doctrine Of fatal
ism, but Tor my part, little result from their
bossted equanimity irnse belief: they seemed TO
ne affected Just as other mortas would have been in
similar trying situation, 0nd indeed with the ey-
ception ola few of superior rank AMONG the Turks)
the desplsed Greeks showed infinitely more firmness
Nnd presence OF mind thHn their masters The far
greater part OF The latter lcaped into the sea without
rslectIng whether they could swim two rniles-or \
indeed, whether they could swim Mt ull (nInonp near
y eEHt hundred Turks, and without calculating tho
Serlain havoc to he committed on them in the water
ny inc tctnbie discharges Of the guns. shall not
oL.enPtt 70 vfunt my own courage was WORKOUT
spirit roSen mani was going to throw myself
gyoIOoaru' when a Greek, tOwnsman Of mine as
Di"Nc uHu CieNer lad az ever lived cauOht hold of
Iny arm and drew me aside "XVhnt az. o., IA |
hkeihe stupid Turks" said he in an under tone Of
voice. ~ you 'oP into the water now, you will be
either crowned IN the dying grasp Of some heavy
Osfnanii, or nove yorr brains kuocked ont b,, fLo
common shot--the slip may not blow up vet awhile.
ana 90 you not see, That rs the cabcs are nut
ana the Wipd IS towards shore, we are every mo-
incnt drifting nearer 70 tho isiand3 Conn yatne |
Ycrgh" followed my adviser to tho bo,y ~
the slP--hcre saw number Of Greeks. hanging
on TIC 6oWsPfN and Dn tho rigging outside oF fbs
bows. We took our alton with them v,n;ti, =; ~
most breotllesgsicrcc the moment yton tic no,,
Der magazine shonld explode. should ton vo,,
though That before loft the deck saw the CANAAN
r0cho make M attempt % leave the shin in L,,i
that had sustained little injury. His attendants snc
ceodedin enharking his treasures and vauables and
nc was descending ihe ships side, when number Of
= IFaLI'c ufKs Jumped nto the boat, and down she
went, mahmoudiers.F golden coffee cuus ar,icr inc
shawls, Turks, ard aH e has beon generally aid
that the Capisin Pacla was killed in tbe bo9ts h.